Tag: Seniors 1st Team

by John O'Brien

Johnstown FC Seniors Pre-Season Friendly v Kenstown FC – Match Report

Seniors
Pre-Season Friendly v Kentstown

Johnstown FC Senior side opened their pre-season schedule with a resounding 4-0 defeat of Kentstown Rovers in Village Park on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Shane Conroy, Steven Brazil, Denis Kinlan and Jonathan Ford were enough to give the mostly reserve side the victory on a pitch that allowed for some good football by both Meath outfits.

First Half Action

The game opened with both teams trying to keep the ball on the deck while teasing the respective defences. It was 12 minutes before the opening opportunity. Good play from both Johnstown’s Conroy and Patrick Warren ended with Josh Gaffney’s shot bringing a fine save from the Rover’s number one.

Conroy almost broke the deadlock on 15 minutes after excellent defensive work from Ford. A smart ball into the Kentstown half from Ford was brilliantly chased down by Brazil whose cross into the box flashed just wide from Conroy.

Johnstown had the lead just two minutes later. Conroy made no mistake from the spot after man of the match Brazil was pulled down when through on goal. Warren and Boland were both involved in the build-up.

There were further chances for Andrew Moran, Warren, John Moran and a fine save from Darragh Kenny in the Johner goal before an unfortunate injury to left fullback Gaffney led to a break in the game. The club wishes Josh a full recovery. He was having a fine match.

Second Half Action

When the game resumed, with both teams feeling the cold, it had opened up and Johnstown was the team to take advantage.

Both sides had chances in the next 10 minutes. Brazil again tried his luck from distance before Kenstown’s busy number 16 tested Keegan in Johnstown’s goal with a shot from just outside the 18-yard box.

Brazil doubled the lead five minutes later, racing onto an excellent ball from his half from John Forde. The young number 7 still had plenty of work to do but calmly slotted the ball between the Kentstown keeper’s legs who had tried to close the distance.

As both teams rolled on the replacements and chances were starting to open up, it was Johner’s very own player-coach, Kinlan, who added the next goal and the third of the game. Another fine ball from John Forde left Kinlan in space behind the Kentstown back four. The midfielder spectacularly lobbed the keeper from 20-odd yards.

The Finglas man had the chance to double his tally just a few moments later but the Kentstown keeper was not going to be beaten by a second lob in as many minutes and calmly collected Kinlan’s attempted lob. A lesson from the coach to the lads…just tap it in!

Just before full-time centre half, Forde, at this stage playing in a much more forward position, wrapped up the victory for the visitors with a trademark rasping effort from distance that smashed into the roof of the net.

Well played to both teams! Not a bad game of football considering the time of year. Thanks to the Kentstown FC team and staff for their hospitality and we wish you the best in the coming season.

Johnstown FC (Ratings out of 10)

Darragh Keegan (7), James Finnegan (7), Josh Gaffney (7), Jonathan Forde (8), Andrew Moran (7), Steven Brazil (9), John Moran (8), Dylan Bollard (7), Shane Conroy (7), Patrick Warren (7).

Substitutes: Denis Kinlan (7), Michael Folan (7), Cormac Walsh (7), Scott Taylor (7), Kikki Dooley (7).

Huge Thanks to our Sponsors…..

by Jonathan Purvis

Johnstown FC is proud to announce Taylors of Johnstown as Senior sponsors.

Johnstown FC is delighted to announce Taylors Johnstown as the sponsors for the senior team this year and into 2021. It is a great collaboration with local business, as the club continues to strive to be at the heart of the local community. A huge thanks to John O’Brein and the Taylors team for their support at this time as well as the continued support of all the club’s sponsors.

The club has been able to purchase a new home and away kits for the senior teams with the sponsorship provided. On the home kits first outing the lads had a good 5-3 win against Trim Town, a good omen for things to come hopefully.

We hope that you continue to support local business like Taylors through these times and we promise there will be a continued collaboration with Taylors in the near future. If you call in for a pint and bite to eat in the near future we hope you see our kit hanging with pride of place in the bar.

  • Christy Kavanagh, John OBrien and Justin Flynn as the presentation of new Taylor Senior kit
  • New Home Jersey
by Jonathan Purvis

Johnstown drop points to league leaders

Johnstown travelled across to Drogheda to play league leaders Chord Celtic in DIFE astro. Johnstown started slowly and Kacper made a couple of excellent saves early in the game. The lads settled into the game and had a couple of chances to go ahead. Johnstown battled hard with a depleted squad and went in at half time level.

The second half started as the first ended with both sides even. On the hour mark the home team got a penalty which was cleverly dispatched by Chord. Johnstown with only veteran keeper Fergal Beirne on the bench began to tire. Chord picked up a second with a header finished from a deflected cross. The game was wrapped up with 10 minutes when a great through ball allowed the home sides striker to finish behind the Johnstown defence.

Best for the visitors were Jimmy Caffrey, Kacper Zebrek, Jay Connelly, Adam O’Connor and Danny Fon. All the players who togged out today battled hard and put in a good shift. The lads will regroup during the week and look to bounce back away to Newtown on Friday night.

by Jonathan Purvis

Harry provides Johnstown FC with the magic touch.

Thanks to Apache Pizza Navan for sponsoring the man of the match award.

Johnstown continued to gather some momentum in the league with a hard-fought win at home against Donacarney Celtic this evening. It was tit for tat in the first half, the game being played with the sun low on the horizon of this lovely May evening. Johnstown took the lead after a free kick from deep ricocheted in the box and fell to the man of the match Harry Shivmangal, who duly slotted home. Donacarney managed to grab a goal back not long after, a nice through ball split the home sides defense with the Donacarney player finishing well. Johnstown managed to grab an important goal before the break after some lovely interplay from Adam Foy and a mazy run and finish from Adam O’Connor.

After the break Donacarney started stronger, piling on the pressure. They were rewarded after some nice play in the middle, leading to a square ball which left the Donacarney striker with an easy enough finish. The game was tightly balanced at this stage but the home side began to rally. The all-important breakthrough came in the 80th minute with a lovely weighted cross from Eoin Kelly out on the left meeting the hard running Harry Shivmangal, he finished with a well-placed header. Donacarney pushed on for the last ten minutes, piling players forward, but the home side held firm.

Best for the victors were Harry Shivmangal, Jay Connolly, Darragh Keegan, and Adam O’Connor. Johnstown FC now looks forward to the visit of Athboy Celtic FC next Thursday in the MDL.

Pat Hegarty congratulates Harry as he receives his man of the match award thanks to Apache Pizza Navan
by Jonathan Purvis

Victor Hugo leaves Oldcastle misérables

Johnstown bounced back to winning ways in their first home league game of the season. A strong first half showing had the home team 4-1 up at the break. Victor Hugo with two, Harry finishing with a deft touch from a well worked corner and Adam Foy with a well deserved goal showing his class with a silky finish.

Johnstown started the second half with the all important goal, Victor rounding off his hatrick just after the break. Oldcastle then piled on the pressure as they scored two of their own in reply as Johnstown retreated. A couple of forced substitutions gave Oldcastle the impetuous to keep the pressure on, Darragh Keegan made some important saves and wayward shooting from the visitors gave Johnstown a 5-3 victory.

Christy Kavanagh manger in absentia was not happy to concede 3 but now looks forward to building momentum again. Johnstown are scheduled to play Donacarney at home on May 2nd.

by admin

Johnstown FC bounce back with a league win.

Johnstown FC Seniors away to Bailebourough. Photo by Adrian Finnegan

After a tough assignment last week in the shield, the senior team have bounced back to winning ways in the league with a 3-0 away win against Bailebourough Celtic on Friday night.

A good first half display had the away team 1-0 ahead at half time. Bailebourough had the better of the opening exchanges at the start of the second half with a staunch Johnstown defence doing well to deal with the pressure. The crucial second goal fell Johnstown’s way and was followed soon after with a 3rd from the edge of the box, rounding off striker Victor Hugo’s hat-rick. Bailebourough didn’t lie down though and threatened with a number of set plays. Johnstown FC’s rearguard remained resolute and Darragh Keegan left with a clean sheet.

Best for the visitors were Johnny Forde, Adam O’Connor and Victor Hugo. Another hard fought away win and the lads now look forward to the mid-week game vs Moneymore away in Drogheda DIFE.

by Jonathan Purvis

Apache Pizza Navan to sponsor senior Man of the match

Johnstown Fc again wishes to thank @Apache Pizza Navan for their generosity in their sponsorship of our senior team tops. They have also agreed to sponsor the man of the match as picked each week by the senior management team.  The first man of the match will be announced after the senior game tomorrow vs Redeemer Celtic at 14:30 Aisling Place, Dundalk.

Thanks, Danny and Apache Pizza Navan for the continuing sponsorship of Johnstown FC.

The picture below of Christy Kavanagh, 1st Team manager, Pat Hegarty Goal Keeping Coach and Danny of Apache Pizza Navan.

The picture below of Christy Kavanagh 1st Team manager, Justin Flynn Senior Player\Commitee Member and Danny of Apache Pizza Navan

by Jonathan Purvis

Christy Kavanagh – First Team Manager

We are delighted to announce that Christy Kavanagh has accepted our offer to be the First Team manager.

Christy is no stranger to the club has been with us for some time now and his no-nonsense approach to the game will be interesting to watch unfold next year.  Christy also brings with him a wealth of experience from his football days in Dublin.

We could not have asked for a better calibre of manager and look forward working wiht Christy in his new role.