VIDEO: Fergal at 54 answers the call for Johnstown
Fergal at 54 answers the call as Johnstown progress in the Kilmessan Shield with a 2-0 win over Chord Celtic writes JUSTIN BURKE.
Two Ryan Farnham goals sent Johnstown into the next round of the KIlmessan Shield last night at the MDL, but it was the veteran clubman Fergal Beirne who scooped the man-of-the-match award with a sterling performance between the posts.
The second half saw of this tie saw the introduction of 54-year-old Fergal Beirne in the Johnstown goals as Darragh Keegan sustained an injury in the first half and was unable to continue.
Fergal went on to put on a great half for his side and had the bonus of winning the club's man of the match award which earned - a pizza from Apache.
Johnstown recorded a 2-0 victory over Chord Celtic as two sides played football the right way on a cold night at the MDL.
The visitors had plenty of possession at the start of this game and were unlucky not to score first as Johnstown keeper Darragh Keegan tried to kick the ball out quickly.
Chord's Aaron McCormack was alert to intercept it and tried his luck from long range which crashed off the crossbar and to safety.
Johnstown responded swiftly when Jamie Connolly's long throw found Mark Grumley and he took a touch before sending a pass towards Farnham who ran at the Chord defence before slotting the ball past Eoin Carney in the net.
Farnham then grabbed his second 14 minutes later as he collected a pass from Darren McQuillan on the right,
he charged towards goal and instead of passing it he chose to go himself and it was the right choice as he smashed his shot in off the near post to leave Carney no chance in the Chord nets.
Both Aaron McCormack and Niall Gates went close to scoring before the interval but they couldn't breach the Johnstown defence, leaving Chord Celtic a mountain to climb in the second half.
Jordan Brannigan and Niall Gates linked up to send Pierce Butler through on goal for Chord but it was the senior citizen Fergal Beirne who denied his goal as he pulled off a good save.
Just on the hour mark Farnham could of had the match ball safely tucked away in his bag as he got on the end of another McQuillan pass,he beat a defender and had only the keeper to beat but chose for a fancy dink over the keeper which went just over the crossbar instead of just an easy finish.
Chord Celtic kept trying to play flowing football and it was Jordan Brannigan's turn to miss a chance as he sent his shot high and over the crossbar.
Late on Dillon Delaney intercepted a pass in the middle of the pitch and his run ended up in the Johnstown box but once again it was Beirne who made a big save to keep his clean sheet.
The last chance for Chord fell to defender Sean Leahy as he tried to convert a free kick from at least 35 yards out but his shot sizzled out before allowing Beirne to make a comfortable save.
Johnstown tried to finish the game off with five minutes remaining as they won a free 25 yards out and Justin Flynn stepped up to shoot, and his shot just went agonisingly wide.
Johnstown - Darragh Keegan; Jonathan Flood, Jimmy Caffrey, Jamie Connolly, Darren McQuillan, Adam Foy, Justin Flynn, Mark Grumley, Aaron Condren, Shane Conroy, Ryan Farnham. Subs - Darren Finnegan, Adam Ivors, Fergal Beirne
Chord Celtic - Eoin Carney, Dillon Delaney, Lee Kerins, Sean Leahy, Fiachra Jeins, Andy O Hanlon, Peirce Butler, Jamie King, Niall Gates, Jordan Brannigan, Aaron McCormack. Subs - Ian Delaney, Dillon Cunnigham, Ryan Holcroft, Val Leddy, James Penthony.
Referee - Thomas Little