Moynalvey/Boardsmill emerged two point winners in their U-21 ‘A’ Football Championship Quarter Final clash with Clann na nGael played at Dunganny on Friday Night 15th November.
Moynalvey/Boardsmill 4-11
Clann na nGael 4-9
This long awaited game held up due to the hugely successful year for the Clann na nGael club produced an entertaining free flowing game of football which produced eight goals.
It was Moynalvey/Boardsmill who opened the scoring in the first minute through Danny Dixon, with Clann na nGael replying a minute later.
The game’s first goal opportunity came in the 4th minute when good build up play saw Eoin Corrigan with the chance, only to see his effort blazed wide of the target, the next attack of the game did yield a goal, this time for Clann na nGael.
A brace of points from Moynalvey/Boardsmill midfielder Danny Dixon left it 1-1 to 0-3 with eight minutes played. Two third way through the half the sides were level for the first time following another Clann na nGael point which was countered by Moynalvey/Boardsmill with points from Niall Durkan and Adam Murphy, 1-2 to 0-5.
A smart save from Clann na nGael’s goal keeper denied Moynalvey/Boardsmill their first goal, before they suffered the set back of conceding two goals within three minutes to give the Athboy side a six point lead with 26 minutes played, 3-2 to 0-5.
An Adam Murphy point followed by their first goal courtesy of Ciaran Harnan finishing to the net from close range following a goal mouth scramble saw Moynalvey/Boardsmill trail their opponents by four points at the break, 3-4 to 1-6.
The half time introduction of minor championship finalists from a fortnight ago Niall Bagnall and Paul Cororan paid immediate dividends, with Corcoran netting with his first touch following a neat pass from Adam Murphy.
Clann na nGael replied with two points to leave a goal between the sides, 3-6 to 2-6, before Adam Murphy hit 1-1 for Moynalvey/Boardsmill to retake the lead for just the first time since the opening minute, leaving it 3-7 to 3-6 eleven minutes in the second half.
The other Moynalvey/Boardsmill half time substitute Niall Bagnall extended his side’s advantage to two points, before 1-2 from Clann na Gael without reply saw them retake the lead 4-8 to 3-8 with 12 minutes remaining.
Another Murphy point followed by an opportunist volley to the net from James Ashe handed Moynalvey/Boardsmill the lead again with 51 minutes gone. A Clann na nGael pointed free had the sides level for a third time in the 54th minute, 4-9 apiece.
With legs tiring on both sides and extra time looming in was Moynalvey/Boardsmill who added the all important crucial late scores with points from Danny Dixon and Cathal Wall ensuring Moynalvey/Boardsmill’s eight point turnaround and progression to a semi-final against Trim.
Best for the winners were Adam Murphy, Danny Dixon, Caragh O’Brien and joint captains Conor Harnan & Niall Durkan.
Best of luck to Clann na nGael in their Leinster Junior Football Championship Semi-Final against Ballymore Eustace next Saturday.
Moynalvey/Boardsmill:
David Brennan, Conor Harnan, Mark Hatton, Eoin Corrigan, Cathal Wall (0-1), Craig Kelly, Danny Dixon (0-4), Caragh O’Brien, Ciaran Harnan (1-0), Niall Durkan (0-1), Adam Rooney, Adam Murphy (1-4), James Ashe (1-0).
Subs used: Paul Corcoran (1-0) for Rooney, Niall Bagnall (0-1) for Hatton, Evan Clarke for Ashe, Robert Keane for Corrigan.
