27 years after victory in the same competition, a fantastic team performance ensured Moynalvey claimed the Matthew Ginnity cup and with it the 2008 Junior A championship after this final played in Pairc Tailteann, Navan on Sunday, September 28th.
Padraig Donoghue lifts the Matthew Ginnity cup on behalf of the victorious Moynalvey team
Moynalvey 0 – 16 Ratoath 0 – 7
Moynalvey took control from the off and posted the first 3 scores from Mark O’Sullivan and Cathal Sheridan (2, 1 from play and 1 free) to lead 0 – 3 to no score after 10 minutes. Ratoath responded with a free but further scores from Paul Weldon, Willie Byrne (2) and Sheridan (2) in response to 2 Ratoath frees meant Moynalvey led by 0 – 8 to 0 – 3 at the interval.
Ratoath, with the breeze at their backs, were always going to come back strongly and after scoring 3 of the first 4 points of the second half, this left the scoreline at 0 – 9 to 0 – 6, Moynalvey’s point coming from a Sheridan free. However, Moynalvey responded like true champions do and outscored Ratoath by 0 – 7 to 0 – 1 in the final 15 minutes. These scores came from Mark O’Sullivan, Robbie Quinlan (2), Willie Byrne, who rounded off a man of the match display with 2 more points from play, Sheridan (1 free) and substitute PJ Walsh to leave the men in maroon 9 points clear at the end.
The win means Moynalvey now play Intermediate football in 2009 whilst also ensuring they progress to represent Meath in the Leinster club series.
Well done to all the players and mentors on such a great performance. Let the celebrations begin!!
Team & scorers – O Regan, R Kiernan, P Donoghue, D Kane, P Weldon (0 – 1), D Dixon, A Brien, S Donoghue, J Donoghue, D Donoghue, C Sheridan (0 – 6, 0 – 5 frees), R Quinlan (0 – 2), M O’Sullivan (0 – 2), W Byrne (0 – 4), B Gilsenan. Subs – S Reilly for D Donoghue, PJ Walsh (0 – 1) for B Gilsenan, D Durkan for A Brien, C Collins for C Sheridan, J Weldon for R Quinlan, B Conneely, G Fagan, G McHale, W Mahady, G Drumm, C Dunne, P Garvey, R Ryan, D Smith, S Courtney, S Carroll, B Dixon, C Ennis, S White and R Donovan.
