Moynalvey and St. Colmcilles proved inseparabale in this round two game in Group C of the Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship played at Skryne on Friday night 11th August.
Moynalvey made little of the bookmakers pre-match odds and with William Harnan’s last minute point means all is still to play for in the final round group game.
A tricky cross field wind proved scores hard to come by, especially from play in this low scoring game at the usual well presented Skryne grounds.
Cillian O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a free in the 2nd minute.
Ninety seconds later Christian Finlay opened St. Colmcilles account and it looked like a tough evening may be ahead for Moynalvey as Cilles’ opened up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead in the opening quarter with points from Finlay (2), James Conlon and goalkeeper Andrew Beakey from a free.
Cillian O’Sullivan and Christian Finlay traded frees, with O’Sullivan following up with a brilliantly taken mark low to the ground to duly convert and leave the half time score board read 0-6 to 0-3 in favour of the seasiders.
Whatever Caoimhin King and his management team said at half time had the desired effect, as St. Colmcilles half time lead was reeled in by the men in maroon in the third quarter with three unanswered points from David McLoughlin, Mark O’Sullivan and Cillian O’Sullivan to draw the sides level for the first time, 0-6 apiece, with 45 minutes played.
From here on the sides were evenly matched with no greater than a point between the sides at any time in the final quarter, drawing level a further four times within that period.
St. Colmcilles substitute David Bell pointed to put his side ahead again in the 46th minute.
Despite having lost Stephen Donoghue to second bookable offence, Moynalvey’s tails were up and two Cillian O’Sullivan frees following off the ball fouls on David McLoughlin put Moynalvey ahead for the first time, 0-8 to 0-7, with 56 minutes played.
Moynalvey’s lead was short lived however as Cilles’ talisman James Conlon replied to draw the sides level for a third time, 0-8 apiece.
The following five minutes saw Moynalvey reduced to thirteen men with a second dismissal, Fearghal McCabe also for a second bookable offence, while St. Colmcilles also lost Shaun Leonard having seen red.
As if the final ten minutes hadn’t been crazy enough, the six minutes of injury time weren’t for the faint hearted.
A second David Bell point in the 61st minute put Jody Devine’s side ahead, only to be countered by a Cillian O’Sullivan free a minute later after Darren Brennan was hauled down.
Then in the fifth minute of added time to the ecstasy of the St. Colmcilles supporters and substitutes bench alike James Conlon fired over a brilliant point from an acute angle on the right hand side for what looked like the match winner.
However, there was still time for late drama as Moynalvey remained composed and got the ball forward to substitute William Harnan, originally down to start the game, who lofted high over the cross bar off the left peg to draw the sides level for a fifth time and leave the final score 0-10 apiece, securing what could be an invaluable point for his side going into the final round.
Best for Moynalvey in this contest were David Reilly, Brian Harnan, Padraic Harnan, Stephen Donoghue, Cillian O’Sullivan and the excellent Mark O’Sullivan.
Next up for Moynalvey In the final round group game is Skryne, while St. Colmcilles take on Ratoath, both games at 2pm on Sunday 27th August.
Moynalvey team & scorers:
Conor Egan, David Reilly, Fearghal McCabe, Craig Gilsenan, Brian Harnan, Mark O’Sullivan (0-1), Charlie McCormack, Darren Brennan, Padraic Harnan, Darragh Branigan, David McLoughlin (0-1), Vinny Walsh, Donal Smith, Cillian O’Sullivan (0-7, 1m & 5f), Stephen Donoghue.
Sub used: William Harnan (0-1) for McCormack.
