Moynalvey progressed to the final of Division 1 of the Minor Football Championship when accounting for Simonstown Gaels in the semi-final at Ashbourne on Friday night October 7th.
Moynalvey 2-7 Simonstown Gaels 0-8
Moynalvey who claimed the Division 2 league title earlier in the year overcame the league 1 winners Simonstown Gaels, to set up a championship final clash with Ratoath next Sunday October 16th. The first half of this game was a tight affair, with no more than two points separating the sides at any one time. Simonstown were first to score in the opening minute, with James Kelly replying for Moynalvey when converting a free in the 4th minute. Simonstown registered again two minutes later, but mid way through the half Moynalvey took a double score lead, 1-1 to 0-2, when raising the first green flag of the evening. A superb piece of fielding from Brian Harnan close to goal saw him fouled on landing and James Kelly superbly dispatched the ensuing penalty kick to the back of the net. By the 21st minute Simonstown levelled matters 0-4 to 1-1. With three minutes of the opening period remaining, Moynalvey regained the lead when Cillian O’Sullivan opened his account for the evening. In the remaining three minutes Simonstown hit a further 0-2, to leave the minimum between the sides at the break on a 0-6 to 1-2 score line in favour of the team in blue.
Within sixty seconds of the restart Moynalvey restored parity between the sides when James Kelly fisted over after being set up by Padraic Harnan. A brace of points from Cillian O’Sullivan, and a superb Cathal McCabe effort saw Moynalvey hold a three point lead at the three quarter mark. This lead was almost doubled in the 48th, only for the Simonstown goalkeeper superbly denying Anthony Forde’s effort at goal. Simonstown cut the deficit to 0-2, before Moynalvey found the net for a second time when Cillian O’Sullivan goaled in the 53rd minute. The goals remained the difference between the sides in the 58th minute, when James Kelly sent over his second fisted effort of the evening. Simonstown tagged on a consolation point in injury time to leave Moynalvey run out 2-7 to 0-8 winners, setting up a final meeting with Ratoath next Sunday which throws in at 1pm before the Senior Championship replay.
Moynalvey: C. O.Malley, C. Egan, S. Browne, D. Brannigan, D. Hoban, A. Forde, D. Brennan, P. Harnan, S. Burke, C. McCabe (0-1), C. O’Sullivan (1-3), E. Walsh, F. McCabe, J. Kelly (1-3), B. Harnan. Sub: B. Regan for Hoban, C. Sheerin for Burke.
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