Despite a lacklustre performance, Moynalvey overcame the concession of an early goal to defeat a gallant Mooncoin side by 9 points and advance to the Leinster club championship final after a tough game played in wet and windy conditions in Pairc Tailteann, Navan on Sunday, November 23rd.
Moynalvey 2 – 9 Mooncoin 1 – 3
Mooncoin played with the advantage of a strong breeze in the first half and opened the scoring in the second minute when a long ball caused confusion in the Moynalvey square before being poked to the back of the net. Moynalvey soon settled and pointed through Mark O’Sullivan before Brian Gilsenan was fouled when through on goal to give Cathal Sheridan the opportunity to goal from the spot. He made no mistake despatching low to the keepers right to leave Moynalvey 1 – 1 to 1 – 0 ahead after 10 minutes.
Sheridan then pointed from play to stretch Moynalvey’s lead but Mooncoin levelled with 2 excellent points to leave it 1 – 2 apiece after 20 minutes. Moynalvey were enjoying plenty of possession at this stage but the strong breeze made life difficult for both teams and Moynalvey were guilty of kicking a number of wides. A good Moynalvey move in the 25th minute resulted in O’Sullivan crashing the ball to the back of the Mooncoin net and this was followed by a Brian Gilsenan point to leave it 2 – 3 to 1 – 2 at the interval. Both sides were guilty of passing up goal chances in this first period with Gilsenan blazing wide when clean through whilst at the other end, Ollie Regan produced a great save to keep Mooncoin at bay.
Mooncoin pointed first on the resumption to leave a goal between the sides. However, this proved to be their last score as Moynalvey gradually pulled clear with 6 points on the trot. These scores were hard worked for as a physical and fit Mooncoin side defended well whilst also being aided by some poor Moynalvey shooting. Sheridan scored 2 frees to leave the scoreline at 2 – 5 to 1 – 3 after 40 minutes. Soon after Willie Byrne scored an excellent point off the outside of his right foot before Stephen Donoghue fired over the bar after a well worked move. Brian Conneely then ran onto a John Donoghue pass to slot over a point to push Moynalvey 2 – 8 to 1 – 3 ahead as the game entered the last 10 minutes. Veteran PJ Walsh closed out the scoring with a fine point after good build up play involving Ray Ryan to leave the final margin at 9 points.
Moynalvey now progress to the Leinster final on December 7th where they will need a vastly improved performance as they take on a strong St Marys, Rochfortbridge side.
Team & scorers – O Regan, R Kiernan, P Donoghue, D Kane, P Weldon, D Dixon, D Donoghue, S Donoghue (0 – 1), G Fagan, J Donoghue, C Sheridan (1 – 3, 1 – 0 pen & 0 – 2 frees), R Quinlan, B Gilsenan (0 – 1), W Byrne (0 – 1), M O’Sullivan (1 – 1). Subs – S Reilly for R Quinlan, PJ Walsh (0 – 1) for B Gilsenan, B Conneely (0 – 1) for G Fagan, C Collins for M O’Sullivan & R Ryan for C Sheridan.
