St. John’s complete sensational comeback to win first ever Premier Division crown

St. John’s Athletic were crowned RDFL Premier Division champions as they came from 3-0 down to beat Moore United 5-3.

This incredible comeback ensured St. John’s secured the Premier Division crown for the first time in the club’s history. The win completed a great day for the Lecarrow based side as their second team secured promotion to the First Division.

With Moore United needing a win or a draw to secure the title, they appeared on course to cruise to league glory. Aidan McManus’ side controlled the opening half and enjoyed the lions’ share of the chances before Brian Sheerin’s sublime cross found Jay McPhilbin who coolly slotted home.

Moore doubled their lead two minutes later as Josh Lennon was brought down in the box before Charles Nevin converted the spot kick. Then just three minutes after that Rian Carpenter headed David Connaughton’s corner with James Byrne getting a slight touch to give Moore a 3-0 lead.

It could have been more with Sean Coyle thwarting Jack Nevin while Jack O’Beirne cleared Josh Lennon and Charles Nevin efforts off the line.

St. John’s went more direct in the second half as David Donoghue’s long throw led to Daire Keenan being fouled in the box with Keenan converting the spot kick. Moore appeared to be doing enough until Kevin Brennan’s cracking effort from outside the box found the bottom corner.

Sub striker Jamie Tiernan was brought down by Moore’s Emmet Kenny with St. John’s left furious that the centre back was not sent off for a last man tackle. However, Cian Kelly produced a brilliant strike to find the net from the resulting free kick.

A draw was not enough for St. John’s as they pushed for more. They sensationally scored their third goal in four minutes when Brennan produced a textbook left footed strike to ensure rapturous scenes.

Then in the 85th minute, Keenan was pushed inside the box as he converted his second spot kick to ensure St. John’s were crowned league champions in the most dramatic of circumstances.

**Full report with quotes from the winning camp in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald**