Johnstown 3 – 3 Parkvilla

This was Johnstown’s premier 1st game of the season.  Johnstown’s team was both a mixture of u12 and u13 players.  Parkvilla scored first midways through the first half. Johnstown equalised with a well-taken goal by Neil McGinley.   With Johnstown playing some very good football they scored again just before half time with a very well taken goal by Sean Christy.

The second half started at a very fast pace with Parkvilla trying to get back into the game.  Parkvilla scored 15 minutes into the second half to put the game level.  Johnstown were playing some great football but against the run of play, Parkvilla scored to go 3-2 in front.  Johnstown never give up attitude paid off when Neil McGinleys brilliant shot hit the back of the net to leave the game 3-3.

This was a very good team performance with some very good play from all. And a man of the match performance by Neil McGinley ley.

U13 Premier Johnstown 1 – 2 Kells Blackwater

Top of the table clash last Saturday morning in the MDL attracted a decent size crowd to see the leagues two form teams battle it out. Adam Murphy continued his impressive scoring run with a strong run and powerful finish to put JFC 1 up , the game was contested mostly in midfield with very little to choose between the two sides.  JFC looked to be going in at half time with the lead when a Kells free kick took an unlucky deflection off a JFC player past the excellent Oisin in goal, 1-1 at half time.

The second half continued in the same vein a close tense game and looked to be heading for what possibly would of been a fair drawn result. Five minutes to play and Kells took the lead somewhat against the run of play as JFC pushed forward to get the winner that would of taken them top of the table.   A great effort on Saturday and every member of the squad can be proud of their efforts in the game.  Some nice words of encouragement from opposition manager to our lads at the end. The lads left the pitch disappointed  but certainly going in the right direction in terms of their football week in week out now.

SFAI CUP U13 Laytown Utd 3 – 4 Johnstown Fc

the Old adage a game of TWO halves was alive and well out at the coast on Sunday Morning, in possibly Phil & Joe’s team best first half ever, ‘’ footballing wise’’ JFC stormed to a 4 – 0 lead by half time.

Recent weeks sluggish starts were put to bed right from the start with some slick passing and quick forward movement.  Ironic so that JFC took the lead when Cormac Walsh lobbed the keeper Beckham Style from the halfway line, a stunning goal.  But we didn’t have to wait long for possibly that goal to be topped by Abraham who took on the full back and cut in to the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner , so hard it bounced back out of the net !

Soon after Abraham added a 3rd and Adam Murphy continued his scoring streak to make it 4 – 0.  Finn Malone skilfully controlling some neat midfield play and Kian Merrigan’s engine had us well in control at half time.

All the right talk was made at halftime to keep the lads focused , but a change in in style of play in the second half with some long balls over the top to there Tall physical centre forward soon reaped rewards.  To their credit the same play had Laytown not once , twice but three times back in the game 4- 3 in what seemed a blink of an eye.  Pressure on and momentum with the home side  it was time for some players to step up to the plate and they didn’t fail to deliver.  Lee Fitzgerald and Jamie Byrne having been caught out with the change of attack against them , gained their composure and adapted their play to combat the attacks.

Patrick Warren and Jo Jo Hanningan also adding to the back four trying to regain a foothold in the game.  Despite the switch of dominance in the early part of the second half we still had chances to put the game to bed and as the last 10 Minutue’s of the game ebbed and flowed back and forth in a game worthy of knock out cup football.  The JFC Goal Keeper Oisin coming to the rescue with a stunning save at the feet of the on rushing Laytown centre forwards feet in virtually the last kick of the game.  Never has a touch line been so relieved to hear the full time whistle , great game , credit to both side’s efforts and now on to the regional Semi Finals for Johnstown after a thoroughly entertaining morning out near the sea.