Another entertaining game in this years Connacht Gold championship on Sunday evening which was in doubt and appeared to be heading for a draw when Johns struck for the decisive goal from Mark Gerrity.
Oisín Flynn was the star of the show for Castleconnor making his first start in the championship and finishing with 9 points to his name. Brian McGowan was the main man for Johns with 0-6 to his name and he got good assistance from Paul McNamara throughout with Fiachra Grennan industrious up front. Eoin Kent and Ronan Keane showed best for the teams from the west with the young guns of Ronan Wilson and James Tully causing trouble with their direct running.
Castleconnor played into the town goal in the first half with a strong gale on their backs. The Castleconnor tactics of not pushing up on the kickout did not help their cause but after 20 minutes they lead 0-5 v 0-2 with Flynn providing all for Castleconnor and McGowan and McNamara for Johns. At half time Castleconnor lead 0-6 v 0-5 with Mattie Cullen with a nice point from play and Brian McGowan (2) and Fiachra Grennan adding to Johns tally.
Within a minute of the second half throw in McGowan had Johns level from a free, and Grennan put them in front with a goal after an excellent save from Kenneth Healy rebounded to him. He still had work to do but finished into the corner of the net. Castleconnor got themselves back into the game with points from Flynn and Cullen equalised after 15 minutes. McGowan again put Johns in front with a very good point from play out at the stand. Flynn brought it level with 8 minutes to go after Wilson was taken down going through on goal. With 6 to go a good save from Johns keeper went out for a 45 which came back off the top of the upright from Flynn and in the subsequent play Johns finished a good move with Gerrity driving into the bottom right corner. Castleconnor came looking for a goal and almost got it but in the following counter attack Ryan McManus finished a long range effort right over the black spot to ensure victory for the Carraroe lads
Scorers
St.Johns: Brian McGowan 0-6 (3f), Fiachra Grennan 1-1, Ryan McManus 0-2, Paul McNamara 0-1
Castleconnor Oisín Flynn 0-9 (5f 2m), Mattie Cullen 0-2