Non-League and Academy football writer

John-Jay Mooney has, during the 2025/26 season so far for Lymore Gardens, been outstanding. A fantastic reader of the game from central defence, John-Jay is from Ireland, and he used to play for Irish side Drogheda United, in a talented youth team for them, a number of years ago. Now in his late 20s, the Lymore defender has really impressed me this season, for Lymore. Having made 19 competitive appearances for the club so far this season, John-Jay has more than played his part in their great league season for Lymore, (in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division South) as well as in their FA Vase run to the last 16 of the competition.

A very assured central-defender, John-Jay’s quality on the ball as well as his all-round reading of the game, has made him such an important player for Lymore, this season. He has formed strong central-defensive partnerships alongside Lymore defenders Makism Todoshchuk and Papa Ndiaye during this season, and John-Jay is a player who very rarely makes an error. With good pace to his game, he is also a real footballing central-defender, who is brave and vocal on the pitch. I think that he is one of the best defenders at this level of non-League football, and in the Thurlow Nunn League, and there is such quality in this Lymore Gardens team.

For Lymore Gardens and John-Jay there are some massive games coming up, both in the league and in the FA Vase, where Lymore will face Downton FC (away) in February. Definitely really enjoying his football with Lymore Gardens this season, I wish John-Jay all the very best for the rest of this season, with so much still to play for and to achieve.