John Lockes Claim JJ Kavanagh County Under 21 D Title with Dominant Win

On March 15, 2024, at Pairc Lachtain in Freshford, John Lockes of Callan secured the JJ Kavanagh County Under 21 D title with a commanding performance against St Patrick’s. The final score reflected their dominance, as they emerged victorious with a significant margin, propelled by their early goals.

The match showcased John Lockes’ impressive goal-scoring ability, which had been evident throughout the tournament. In their path to the final, they netted a total of fourteen goals, while St Patrick’s scored eleven. However, on this occasion, it was John Lockes who exhibited a greater goal threat, scoring three times within the first twenty minutes. This marked only their second victory at this level, with their last title in the Under 21 B category dating back to 2010.

The scoring began immediately when corner forward Zak O’Halloran found the net just one minute into the game. His quick strike set the tone for the match, establishing an early lead for John Lockes. St Patrick’s responded with a free from Sean Brennan, but Robbie Jackman quickly equalized for John Lockes.

As the first half progressed, both teams exchanged points, with St Patrick’s briefly leveling the score at 0-6 to 1-3, thanks to three successful frees by Josh Dowling. However, John Lockes surged ahead with an unanswered scoring spree of 2-3, including another goal from O’Halloran and a penalty converted by Tomas Roche. By halftime, the scoreboard read 3-7 to 0-8 in favor of John Lockes.

The second half commenced with John Lockes maintaining their momentum. They extended their lead with two points from Tomas Roche and Conor Brett. St Patrick’s attempted to close the gap but struggled to penetrate the strong defense of their opponents. The second half saw both teams scoring seven points each, but St Patrick’s found it difficult to make a significant impact.

Dowling was the standout performer for St Patrick’s, contributing all of his team’s points in the second half. In contrast, John Lockes secured their final scores through frees converted by captain Tomas Roche, who finished the match with an outstanding tally of 1-8, including eight frees and one penalty.

In his acceptance speech, Tomas Roche expressed optimism for the future, stating he expects this group of players to push for success in the Junior grade by 2026. The victory not only serves as a testament to their talent but also sets a promising foundation for the club’s aspirations.

As the celebration unfolded, Rory Williams, secretary of the Junior Board, presented the trophy to Roche, marking a significant achievement for John Lockes in the Kilkenny GAA landscape.