Roscommon club contests claim that its pitch was ‘impossible to play on’ during Connacht Cup victory
The St. John's Athletic squad that have qualified for the Connacht Cup semi-final following last weekend's famous victory against Westport United. Picture: St. John's Athletic FC
A Roscommon and District League Football League club has contested a claim that its pitch was “impossible to play on” during last Sunday’s Connacht Cup quarter-final.
St. John’s Athletic recorded one of the most famous results in the club’s history when they took the scalp of the highly-rated Westport United, 3-2, thanks to goals from Daire Keenan, Ronan Morris and Jamie Tiernan.
After the game, however, defeated Westport United manager Anthony O’Neill reacted to his side’s loss by questioning the quality of the surface in Lecarrow.
“We pride ourselves on how we play but when you come to a venue like this with the tightness of the pitch and the surface, it’s just impossible to play on. I can’t say anything else other than that. You just cannot play a passing game on it,” he told
However, St. John’s Athletic responded by saying that it was proud of its club and facilities and that its grounds in Lecarrow exceeded the minimum standard for a football pitch, adding that it is maintained by the club’s dedicated volunteers.
“St. John’s does not receive any government grants. All funds raised for the club come from local fundraising efforts and sponsorships, and every penny goes back into the club.
“Regarding last Sunday’s match, our players gave everything and came out on top. At no stage were any concerns raised with any committee member by the opposing manager.
“In our 40 years, we have never received a complaint like the one sent to the Mayo News this week.
“Thank you to our local community for your continued support of our club and we look forward to the next round of the competition,” said the club in a statement on Facebook.
Meanwhile, details of St. John’s Athletic’s Connacht Cup semi-final have been confirmed by the Connacht FA.
The Lecarrow-based outfit are enjoying a stellar season, and will meet reigning champions, Castlebar Celtic, in the last four in Lecarrow on the weekend of April 19th and 20th.
The other semi-final will see Mervue United, conquerors of Boyle Celtic in the quarter-finals, meet Moyne Villa FC.
St. John’s Athletic remain on course for a possible treble, vying with Boyle Celtic and Moore United for the Premier League of the Roscommon and District League, while they are also in the last four of the Challenge Cup where they will face Skyvalley Rovers.
