14 November 2011
On what was an exceptionally good November day for hurling, Naomh Eoin Minors took on the Down Champions Carryduff on a great Ballinascreen playing surface in the semi final of the Ulster Club Minor Hurling Championship. The tone for the game was set right from the throw-in when the ball was whipped into the corner for Dónal Carson to gather first time, beat his man for pace and slot over the first point of the day. Within minutes a cross field ball was again gathered by the nippy corner forward who drove in on goal and placed his shot beyond the keeper for a great start to the game for the Johnnies. With the St Johns half back line dominant and midfield on top the six St Johns forwards were fed a constant supply of quality ball with Ciaran Johnston and Domhnall Quinn particularly prominent in dictating the play. With the inside forwards always on the move space was created for Locky McCurdy, Ferghal Morgan and Conor Johnston to drive with power and pace at the Carryduff rearguard allowing Ferghal to add another goal, while Mick Bradley and Miceal Dudley were taking some lovely points from distance and young Conor Johnston punishing any frees conceded by the under pressure Carryduff defence. Any threat from Carryduff was dealt with by disciplined defending in the full back line with the Antrim Championship Final MOTM, Keeper Paudie Nugent, dealing comfortably with any threat posed to the St. Johns goal. As the blistering first half display continued the scoreboard operator was kept busy and by halftime the score was 2.16 v 0.4. Given that most of the Naomh Eoin boys had played at least one major football game between College and Club commitments the day before, and for some this was their 3rd big game in 24 hours it could have been expected that the pace and intensity St Johns were playing at would dip in the second half. But the work rate and team ethos that was a strong feature of the Johnnies play continued into the second half. This meant there was no let up for Carryduff as Conor Johnston (x 2), Dónal Carson, and Mick Bradley added further goals and Jack Hannigan taking an opportunity to advance from half back to fire over a great point. The game finished 6.24 v 0.7 with the talented Naomh Eoin side who started with 10 under 17’s, facing Slaughtneil in the Final on 27th November. Slaughtneil defeated Eoghan Ruadh (Tyrone) in the other semi on a score line of 3-16 to 2-12.