Author: Jonathan Purvis

by Jonathan Purvis

Under 13 Match Report 16th October 16

Trim 1 – 3 Johnstown

A bright lunch time kick off on Saturday did not produce a bright start once again for JFC.  A spirited Trim side were content in avenging a defeat earlier in Season and went into the break 1 – 0 up.

The ball was coming back far to quick to the JFC back four in the first half and a bit of half time disciplined team talk and couple changes by Phil Warren had JFC up their game right from start of second half.  Adam Murphy show continued in rich vein with another hat-trick in 15 minutes though one may go to the dubious goal panel as the Trim goal keeper was unlucky to hold and then let go of Adam’s shot.  Patrick Warren and Jamie Byrne stood out in the back four for JFC today both getting stuck in with important challenges.  Cormac Walsh was unlucky to be sent of ten minutes from time for a second bookable offence

. Another 3 points , second in the table keeping the pressure up on Kells .A good days “second half” work. On to next week.

by Jonathan Purvis

Under 15s Match Report 8th October 2016

Johnstown 1 Cloghertown 1

Johnstown started well and dominated proceedings but failed to capitalize on their early possession, as Johnstown pushed forward they isolated the Johnstown rear guard to the counter attack but excellent last ditch tackles from Hill, Colton and surperb save by McQuillan kept the scoreline at 0-0. With 25 minutes on the clock the away slide where awarded a penalty, unintentional hand ball, Cloghertown coolly slotted home to put them in front. This gave the away side the momentum to push for a second but the Johnstown defense held firm until half-time.
HT 0-1
In the 2nd half, Johnstown started much better and the introduction of substitutes Hanney, Burton and Kavanagh allowed Johnstown to grab a foothold on the game. The home pushed for an equalizer, but a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping keep the scoreline in favor of the visitors. With the game heading to the final stages, excellent work from the tireless Byrne on the right, allowed him to whip in a perfect cross for Hanney to nod into the net at close range. Johnstown looked the more likely to get the winner, however a rare attack from Cloghertown near the end was brilliantly denied by the the Johnstown keeper, Andrew Mcquillan.
FT 1-1
Best for Johnstown: Andrew McQuillan, John Hill, Conor Byrne.
Team: Andrew Mcquillan, David Lee, Kyle O Hara, Josh Hill, Eric Colton, Benji Taylor, Ryan Kelly, Daniel Gorman, Conor Byrne, Liam Purvis, Euan Burton, Viktor Suchan, Duarte Martinho, Nathan Hanney, Callan  , Aarron Whelan, Shane Reaney, Gareth Kavanagh, Basfi, Jake Cudlipp.
by Jonathan Purvis

U14s Premier Match Report 8th October 2016

U14S PREMIERE Navan Town 1 – Johnstown 5
Johnstown travelled the short distance to Navan Towns new ground determined to keep up their good run of results in the premiere league.
The hosts started well in some neat passing but as soon as the Johnstown lads got a grip on the game there was no way back.
Herdy started the goal rout with his energetic self down the left 1-0. Next up Walshie sent a low driven ball from outside the box and gave the goalkeeper no chance 2-0.  Then the third just before half time came from Clarkie on the right with a sublime shot from 30 yards our contender for goal of the season.
3-0 at half-time  the coaching staff reminded the lads to keep the tempo up and focus on the job in hand.
An indirect free kick in the Johnstown box led to Navan Town getting a good goal high in the top corner 3-1.  Johnstown controlled the midfield well with captain Riley and Nathan Carton ever so strong in everything they did.
Walshie stepped up to get his second goal with a crisp shot tucked into the corner from a back heel from Mikey Leddy 4-1.  The last goal came via a penalty in which was neatly dispatched by Ben a nice gift to get on  his birthday 5-1.
A good day at the office for the candy stripes was followed by a double birthday celebration for Craig and Ben at the final whistle.   big thanks to Sharon for organising this, our very own social events planner!
by Jonathan Purvis

U13 SFAI Sketchers Cup Match Report

We got back to winning ways on Saturday but didn’t have it all their our own way, A slow start to the game partly due to a much changed line up as the managers tried a few different things.  Baldoyle were unlucky not to be 1 – 0 up at half time as they missed a 25 minute penalty.  
JFC themselves a few moments earlier having been denied a penalty shout with a push on Keane McMullen, it was a game that JFC always looked like they could win if they upped their game.
0-0 At half time allowed Phil & Joe get some composure back into the team and gradually they introduced some changes to the team . It paid dividends Adam Murphy came on at half time and already has his name in with a shout for end of season awards bagging an impressive hat trick in 15 minutes.  JFC largely bossed the second half and the introduction of Finn Malone and Cormac Walsh settled the midfield.  Abraham also on as second half Sub made it 4 – 0 with a trademark jinky run and cut in from the left flank .
Game over and into R4 in a cup Phil Warrens lads enjoyed a good run in last season. 
by Jonathan Purvis

Under 16 Match Report 1st October 2016

U16s Johnstown V Robinstown

Johnstown made it 3 league wins out of 3 with a comprehensive result against Robinstown.

The home team led at the half way mark. with goals from  Ciaran McCann with 2, Noel Donnelly, Kevin Joshua, Danny Reaney and Athnony Barry.

Johnstown increased their lead to in the second half  with Robinstown getting a goal midway through the half.  Johnstown goals coming from Donnelly with his 2nd of they day, Japhet Ogu, Adam O’Connor and Darren Finnegan. This was a brilliant performance by the home team. Up next in the league is Kingscourt away.

Best for Johnstown; Darren Finnegan, Josh Flood, Ciaran McCann, Kevin Joshua & MOTM Adam O’Connor.

Team; Paddy Gaffney, Glenn Sheeran, Charles Orki, Darren Finnegan, Josh Flood, Anthony Barry, Adam O’Connor, Kevin Joshua, Ciaran McCann, Danny Reaney, Noel Donnelly.

Subs; Conor Davies, Chris Leonard Japhet Ogu, Lorcan McKeever & Mark O’Leary

by Jonathan Purvis

Under 13s Match Report 1st October 2016

Kells Fc 3 – 1 Johnstown FC

JFC’s winning start came to an end today in a top of the table clash away to a seasoned tough Kells side.  In a very competitive game JFC can feel slightly more than aggrieved not to get something from the game.  Johnstown leading 1-0 at half time once again thanks to the ever improving goal a game Adam Murphy with a Sublime lob from 25 yards over the on rushing Kells Goal keeper. 6 or 7 goals for the season now for Adam, we’ll Have to check!

Although under pressure for large periods Of the game only to be expected away to Kells.  The balance of the game swung on a goal for Kells when it appeared the excellent JFC Keeper Oisin Perry had the ball safely held in his hands but the goal was awarded to Kells.

Kells got the break they needed and gained confidence from being allowed back in the game.  Patrick Warren showed again plenty of heart in his new right fulll position and showed some of his larger in size colleagues and oppenents how to get stuck in.  Kells gained momentum and converted two late chances as JFC ventured forward desperate for an equalizing score.  A positive for Phil Warren was once again all the Squad got valuable game time which in itself was no mean feat without upsetting the balance and rhythm of the side in a game of this competitive nature .

A mention for the Kells Midfielder No.8 Conor Kirwan who was a tower for his side today and possibly the difference between
these two excellent footballing sides . Johnstown were not too despondent as the final whistle went and left Kells feeling slightly hard done by but already relishing the prospect of Kells having to travel to the MDL in the second half of the season.

by Jonathan Purvis

U16 Match Report 30 September

U16s Johnstown 7-0 Borora

Johnstown returned to league action and welcomed Borora to the MDL on a wet Saturday morning.

Borora started the brighter and seemed to adapt to the conditons well. Johnstown found themselves having to deal with some early pressure. The Johnstown defence was tested with some long balls over the top but Cummins and Joshua dealt with the threat well. The home side found themselves 1-0 to the good after Japhet reacted quickest in the box and slotted home. Darren Finnegan made it 2-0 shortly afterwords. Noel Donnelly scored the home sides 3rd of the half with a fine shot from distance.

HT 3-0

Johnstown increased their lead to 4-0 shortly after the restart. Conor Davies finished from just inside the box after the Borora keeper parried a shot from Finnegan. The home side were in total control now and increased their lead to 5-0 when Adam Cummins finished from close range. Johnstown weren’t done yet, Donnelly got his second of the day with a low drive into the corner. Adam O’Connor added the final goal of the game finishing from a tight angle after a driving run into the box.

Best for Johnstown were; O’Connor, Cummins, Donnelly and MOTM Reaney

Team; Paddy Gaffney, Glenn Sheeran, Adam Cummins, Kevin Joshua, Josh Flood, Conor Davies, Adam O’Connor, Darren Finnegan, Danny Reaney, Noel Donnelly, Japhet Ogu.

Subs; Athnoy Barry, Charles Okri & Darren Clarke

by Jonathan Purvis

Under 14 Match Report 24th September

Johnstown FC 2 Parkvilla 3.
A third week in a row the U14s had to ply their trade in rain and sapping conditions but this didn’t stop them from offering up an epic performance against the Parkvilla A team.
Nip and tuck in the early exchanges
Parkvilla had good chances early on but couldn’t finish.  With on O/G to their name and a good goal on the break villa were good going in for the tea.
 With no changes made Johnstown came back on determined not to let the visitors have their own way.  Mikey Leddy combined well with Adam Quinn and put the villa defence on their toes.  We started to make some powerful drives into the villa box slowly Johnstown began to carve out chances.
A careless trip on Herdy who was always a threat on the left  led to a Johnstown free kick in which Ronan Maxwell dispatched a rasping shot to the keeper’s right and sneaked in..1-2.
The goal buoyed  the candy stripes on and gave us the extra impetus we needed to push for the equaliser.  Villa were still causing some anxious moments at the back but Jacko, Evan and Adam Boylan made sure that’s all they were.  Our goalkeeper Troy O’Brien  player of the year two seasons ago reminded people just why he won that trophy!!.
The Johnstown midfield probably with the hardest job of all were sublime in their balance of offensive work and support to our defence. then a high ball just inside the villa box looked tame enough until Adam Quinn first on the scene flicked a perfectly weighted ball high and well out of the keeper’s reach into the top corner 2-2.
The lads gathered in mass celebration understandably for their just reward. With 9 mins left the coaching staff were getting the message across to the team to keep the pressure on and keep it tight and compact.
Fresh legs in  Rhys Connolly and Clarkey came on to replace the exhausted warriors in midfield  Riley and Ciaran Vaughan.  With 5 min left there was a scramble of players on the Johnstown goalline in which the ref blow a half hearted whistle to indicate the ball crossed the line and so the score stayed 2-3
No question of the commitment of the Johnstown lads who had a precious point within their grab but was so cruelly pinched carelessly from their back pocket.
Well done lads on 100% Commitment and determination, roll on next week.
by Jonathan Purvis

Match Report Under 13s 24th September 16

The 100% winning start continued Saturday for Philip Warren and Joe Hannigans Lads.

Conditions were poor due to constant rain and wind but JFC where not put off by the conditions and tried as best as they could to get their passing going. Some changes to the starting line up saw the side freshened up again and it wasn’t long before JFC took the lead with Abraham drilling in from the right low under the keeper.  Five minutes later Mantis made it 2-0 with a high drifting shot from the opposite side past the keeper.

To their credit Navan Cosmos stuck at their game and if it wasn’t for the intervention several times of Man of the Match Oisin Perri in goal for JFC they could easily have been level.  Perri not just made some crucial saves but his reading of the game sweeper like and also his distribution from long and short kick outs was exellent.

Just before half time the once again excellent Ciaran Cox went raiding down JFC left wing and lobbed the keeper which was pounced on by Abraham For his second and JFC 3rd – 3-0 at half time.

The second half started with JFC on the back foot as Navan Cosmos spirit didn’t waiver and Were unlucky not to get at least 1 but again for the resilience of Perri again keeping them out.  The wind and rain died a little and helped JFC to get a grip back on the game.  Then Adam Murphy netted a real centre forward six yard finish by bravely going in to convert a low cross into the Net 4-0.  Charlie was unlucky not to score a few moments later.

A cross from the left into Kian McMullen and Kian scored a superb volley for his first of the season and well deserved for him 5-0.

Game over Another good day at the office for Warren’s Wonders !!!

by Jonathan Purvis

U16 SFAI Skechers Cup Match Report

U16s SFAI Johnstown 2-7 St Kevin’s

Johnstown welcomed Dublin side St Kevin’s to the MDL in the 1st round of the SFAI cup.

The away side started quickly and tested Johnstown with some fast passing and direct running down the wings. The home side found themselves behind after 15 minutes. An inswinging corner wasn’t cleared and a St Kevin’s player pounced and finished past the unsighted Gaffney into the corner of the net. The away side might have been expecting the home side to crumble but it was quite the oppposite.

The home side nearly got on level terms when a set piece from McCann was floated into the box but just out of reach for the advancing Finnegan.

St Kevin’s continued to test the Johnstown regaurd and Gaffney was called upon to make two fine saves mid way through the half. Johnstown got the goal they deserved after good link up play from McCann and Donnelly, the latter sending Finnegan in on goal who finished camly past the keeper. Johntown came close to taking the lead when Donnelly just shot wide of the post and O’Connor was unlucky to see his free-kick curl over the wall and narrowly wide with the keeper beaten.

Ht 1-1

The away side took the lead shortly after the restart with a swift counter attack. The home side struggled for much of the 2nd half as the efforts of the first half seemed to take its toll.

Johnstown continued to press but the away side were much sharper and they added a further 2 goals to increase their lead to 4-1. Danny Reaney made it 4-2 after he ran onto a pass from Joshua,  rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net.

St Kevin’s added 3 more goals in the last 10 minutes. The home side can take alot of positives from the first half display.
Best for Johnstown were Danny Reaney, Darren Finnegan and MOTM Josh Flood

Team; Paddy Gaffney, Glenn Sheeran,  Kevin Joshua, Adam Cummins, Josh Flood, Adam O’Connor, Anthony Barry, Darren Finnegan, Danny Reaney, Ciaran McCann, Noel Donnelly.

Subs; Japhet Ogu, Conor Davies, Breen McCullagh, Darren Clarke & Charles Okri.