Author: Julian Lee

by Julian Lee

Continuing Coverage in Chronicle

Some of you may have noticed that our club has featured in the Meath Chronicle every week this season. Now, thanks to the kind permission of editor John Donohoe and sports editor Conall Collier, we can reproduce images of this coverage. Of course, we do so with the intention that you will ALL go out and buy a copy!!

This week, we have both senior teams’ match reports covered in the Chronicle, unfortunately they both lost this week, while in previous weeks they have also included U12 and U13 teams.

It is not just match reports either, 2 weeks ago our U12’s team photo before their game against Park Celtic Summerhill was also featured.

We all appreciate the hard work and time sacrificed by all our managers and coaches with the hands-on aspect for coaching our teams and writing match reports including teams and substitutes. This is vital so your team can benefit from the added publicity brought by the Chronicle, which can be key when trying to attract a new sponsor and helping raise the profile of our club.

Senior 1sts vs Abbey Celtic

Senior Reserves vs Boyne Harps

by Julian Lee

The Weekend That Was….

The return of the coaching leagues made for a very busy weekend for Johnstown FC. 17 matches across all age groups from U8 right up to our 2 senior teams, saw players and officials from our club travelling to Dublin and Drogheda with the majority of our action in Navan’s MDL complex.

U9 Tigers had 2 games on Saturday. In their first outing they were denied a win by a last gasp Navan Town equaliser in an absolute thriller. Read full report here In their 2nd outing of the day, the Tigers came from behind to beat Parkvilla. Read full report here

On Friday night, the U10 Hawks kicked off their season with a comfortable victory over Skryne/Tara. The future for Johnstown at this age group looks bright with a lot of talent within the squad. Read full report here

U11 Sharks had a feeding frenzy on poor Ratoath Harps after a suberb all round team display. Read full report here

Our U13s travelled to Oldcastle for their Division 1 clash and struck first. However, the hosts equalised just before the break before taking the lead in the 2nd half. Johnstown hit back but Oldcastle went on the claim a deserved 4-2 victory. Read full report here

Senior Reserves lost their 100% home record falling to a comprehensive defeat to visitors Boyne Harps on Saturday afternoon. Read full report here

After last week’s fantastic win, Johnstown came crashing back to Earth with this narrow and undeserved defeat at the hands of Abbey Celtic in Drogheda. Read full report here

2013 Teams
by Julian Lee

The Weekend That Was…..

Mixed results for Johnstown FC this weekend. From large wins to crushing defeats, we experienced the lot.

Our U12s first half demolition of Trim Celtic meant this result was never in doubt after the opening 30 minutes. Goals by Ryan Kelly, Benji Taylor and a superb hat-trick from Adam Donohoe before a scoreless second half, despite both sides creating chances, meant a comfortable 5-1 victory for Johnstown, their largest of the season so far. See full match report here

The U13s faced a difficult trip to a very strong Malahide Utd in the SFAI Cup on Sunday afternoon. 4-0 and a captain down by half time left the boys little to play for but pride. A second half double from Ben Ryan were among several positives that can be taken from this game. See full match report here

Our U15s triumphed by the slenderest of margins, beating Newtown United by 2-1 on Saturday morning. Johnstown opened up a 2 goal lead through Sean Allen and Jess Capucho before Newtown pulled one back setting up nervy final 10 minutes which the hosts saw out comfortably for their 3rd successive victory. See full report here

Following last week’s highly impressive victory, our U17s were firmly brought back to earth to this weekend, suffering a 5-0 reversal on Saturday away to Kingscourt Harps.

The U18s welcomed 2nd placed St Ita’s to the MDL on Sunday for this early season top of the table clash. A 2-2 draw ensured Johnstown remained top of the NDSL U18 B Division.

The Senior 2nds were at home to Black Bull FC on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to goals by Shane Conroy and Wayne Cahill, Johnstown maintained their 100% home record with this 2-1 win while inflicting the first defeat of the season on Black Bull who had opened the scoring just after the break. See full match report here

In their John Gorman Motors Division 2 tie this weekend, our Senior 1st team travelled to face bottom of the table Fordrew Rovers. A hat-trick for Kacper Zeberek along with a brace each for Arron Kavanagh, Alan Burke and Daniele Gismondi put the hapless Rovers to the sword. After a run of 3 consecutive league defeats, this 9-0 victory was just the tonic for Ian Sheridan’s charges. See full match report here

by Julian Lee

The Weekend That Was…..

A wonderful weekend this week for our underage teams at Johnstown FC with goals galore has been somewhat overshadowed by events at our senior’s cup tie on Sunday morning.

Early on Saturday morning our U12s were away to ParkCeltic Summerhill. For the second week running, Johnstown found it difficult to hold on to their lead. Although leading 1-0 at half time through a lovely chipped finish by Adam Donohoe, it was ParkCeltic who started the 2nd half the brighter team and equalised almost immediately after the restart. The visitors then retook the lead through Ronan Maxwell, before a late equaliser for the hosts meant both sides finished with a point each finishing 2-2. Full Report Here

Our U13 Division 1 side easily disposed of Enfield Celtic 7-1 this weekend at the MDL. With 6 different scorers on target, the whole team contributed marvellously to this home win. Johnstown were quickest off the blocks with Ben Ryan opening the scoring in the first minute and went on to stretch their lead to 5-0 by half time. Our goals came from Adam O’Connor, Darren Clarke, Ciaran McCann, Adam Cummins & Darren Finnegan with 2. Full Report Here

Our U15s faced the short trip across town to face OMP United. Goals from Jess and Gavin Duffy put the visitors 2 up before OMP pulled one back. Johnstown soon restored their 2 goal lead and went further ahead thanks to goals from Jerry Kola and Clayton. OMP scored a late consolation making the final score 4-2 to Johnstown. Full Report Here

The performance of the weekend goes to our U17 side who hit double figures as they comfortably overcame their visitors Athboy Celtic by 10-1.

The U18s had fine 3-0 win over Dunshaughlin Youths at the MDL in their NDSL Division B clash on Sunday morning.

Our Senior 1sts succumbed to a very talented Willow Park side from Athlone by 5-0 in their O’Neills LFA Junior Cup 1st Round tie. However, the collapse of young Jake McDermott just before half time shook us all. Thankfully, it is expected that he will be discharged from hospital tomorrow following further tests.Full Report Here
Johnstown FC Team: P. Hegarty, M. Hayden, J. McDermott, M. Mulvany, B. Halpin, J. Flynn, C. Croke(c), E. Sheridan J. Forde, K. Zeberek, A. Kavanagh
Subs: D. Gismondi for McDermott, A. Burke for Kavanagh, O. Pilane for Flynn

by Julian Lee

The Weekend That Was……..

If it was goals you wanted, then following Johnstown FC this weekend is where you should have been. With each match producing an average 5 goals, entertainment was top of the bill.

The Under 12s began their home campaign with a 2-2 draw against Kells/Blackwater at the MDL on Saturday. The homeside led twice through goals from Adam D. and Benji T. but were pegged back on both occasions. Full Report https://johnstownfc.ie/2013/09/14/under-12s-match-report/

The Under 13s B team suffered a heavy 8-2 defeat at the hands of Kingscourt Harps. Our goals coming from Conor M. and Scott D. Full Report https://johnstownfc.ie/2013/09/14/under-13s-div2-match-report/

The Under 13 A side fared slightly better, drawing their game 1-1, also against opposition from Cavan in the shape of Bailieboro Celtic. Our goal coming from the boot of Adam O’C. Full Report https://johnstownfc.ie/2013/09/14/under-13s-div-1-match-report/

Our Under 15s were on the road this week and returned from their clash with Virginia with all 3 points following a 2-1 victory. Johnstown’s goals coming from Jess and Gavin D. Full Report https://johnstownfc.ie/2013/09/14/under-15-match-report/

The Under 17s shared the points with local rivals Kentstown Rovers in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Our Under 18s travelled to Drumcondra in the NDSL Division B and following a 3-1 win came home with all 3 points.

Johnstown’s senior 2nd side travelled to Drogheda for their thrilling McEvoy Funeral Directors B Reserve division clash with Newfoundwell. Despite trailing on 3 occasions, Ronan Croke’s men showed the determination and fight necessary. An own goal followed by strikes from Ray Shields and Darren Killon to ensure they returned to Navan with a share of the points. Full Report https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1477/
Team: S. Murphy, M. James, J. Lanney, J. Conroy, P. O’Leary, R. Shields, Da. Killon, I. Cahill, S. Conroy, D. Grumley , De. Killon
Subs: E. Farrelly for Grumley, W. Cahill for Lanney

The Senior 1sts suffered a heartbreaking reverse at home to table toppers Kingscourt Harps. Despite playing into a very strong wind, Johnstown led 2-0 at the break, thanks to goals from Daniele Gismondi and Arron Kavanagh. Kingscourt Harps got themselves back on level terms with 10 minutes remaining. With virtually the last kick of the ball, in the 5th minute of injury time, the Cavan men took all 3 points away with them. Full Report https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1482/
Team: P. Hegarty, M. Hayden, J. McDermott, B. Halpin, B. Clerkin, J. Flynn, C. Croke(c), A. Kavanagh, D. Gismondi, J. Forde, K. Zeberek
Subs: M. Mulvany for Halpin, O. Pilane for Clerkin, E. Sheridan for Zeberek

by Julian Lee

The Weekend That Was…..

A poor weekend all-round for the Johnstown teams, with only the Under 12s and Under 13s picking up wins.

The Under 12’s were away to Parkvilla with the venue changed to Kells facilitating drainage works on the Villa pitch. Goals from Luke D. and Adam D. followed by a fine 2nd half backs-to-the-wall display by the whole team meant Johnstown left with all 3 points after a 2-1 victory in this the opening NECSL fixture for both teams. Read the full report here https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1292/

The Under 13s had an excellent result away to Virginia winning 2-1, Darren F. with a brace, before the home side pulled on back on the break. Read the full report here https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1291/

The Under 15s were unlucky not to take a point from their opening clash with Athboy in the MDL. Athboy took an early lead before Dylan scored an equaliser just before the interval. Midway through the 2nd half, Athboy scored a fantastic goal from all of 30 yards which proved to be the winner as a missed penalty from Johnstown meant the game finished 2-1 in favour of the visitors. Read the full report here https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1289/

The Under 17s had a hard fought but well earned 2-2 draw away to Carrick Rovers ensuring neither side left this encounter empty handed.

The Under 18s also played out a draw, this time finishing 1-1 at home to Donnycarney on Sunday morning in the MDL. Johnstown got off to the best start imaginable with their goal coming in the first minute from the boot of Mark Grumley, however shortly after the restart Donnycarney were back on level terms. Red the full report here https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1499/

Johnstown’s Senior 2nd team suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of McEvoy Funeral Directors B Reserve division league leaders Muirhevnamor FC of Dundalk. Derek Killon scoring the consolation goal in a 4-1 reverse. Read the full report here https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1353/

Johnstown’s Senior First team fared little better, suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cavan Town in their John Gorman Motors Division 2 clash in Cavan. Johnstown’s Kacper Zeberek scoring his side’s sole reply to Cavan’s 3 goals ensuring the points remained with the home side. Read the full report here https://johnstownfc.ie/match/1359/