Moynalvey had five points to spare over neighbours Blackhall Gaels in this entertaining third round tie of Division 2 of the JMB Sportfield Services reserve league played at Batterstown on Monday evening April 30th.
Blackhall Gaels 3-6 Moynalvey 3-11
Despite holding what look liked a commanding ten point lead with six minutes of play remaining Moynalvey held out for a five point victory after two somewhat fortuitous goals late on in the game took the gloss off Moynalvey’s victory. Little separated the sides during the opening period as the score line read 1-6 to 1-4 in favour of the visitors at the interval. Moynalvey opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a Ray Ryan free kick, while sixty seconds later Ciaran Collins made use of the breeze sending over the black spot to put Moynalvey two points up. The Batterstown/Kilcloon combination tied matters up after seven minutes. Midway through the half Ray Ryan sent over his second free of the evening pushing Moynalvey ahead once again. The first of six goals in the game arrived after 18 minutes of play when Brian Conneely broke a kickout at centre field into the path of Ryan who stroked the ball along the ground to Ciaran Collins who clinically dispatched to the back of the Blackhall net. The sides were level for a second time after 29 minutes but Moynalvey just edged ahead with points from William Harnan and Ciaran Ennis in injury time giving them a two point advantage on a 1-6 to 1-4 score line at the break.
Despite the blustery conditions this high scoring encounter may have been even higher as both sides were equally guilty of spurning goal chances in the opening half. Moynalvey started the second period the better of the two sides with Ryan converting his third free kick of the evening in the 37th minute. Collins’ second goal put clear daylight between the sides after 43 minutes of play and further points from William Harnan and Ciaran Ennis left the men in maroon and white seven points to the good, 2-9 to 1-5, at the three quarter point of the game. Moynalvey found the net for a third time when good link up play from Cathal McCabe and William Harnan set up Alan Donnelly who opened his account in the 50th minute. An excellent save from Moynalvey net minder Chris O’Malley in the 51st minute denied Blackhall raising their second green flag of the evening. Donnelly added to his tally in the 54th minute splitting the posts leaving Moynalvey ahead 3-10 to 1-6. Mix ups between Moynalvey full back David Kane & goalkeeper Chris O’Malley saw Blackhall add their two late goals, with Moynalvey substitute Conor Egan adding Moynalvey’s final score of the evening leaving the end score reading 3-11 to 3-6.
Moynalvey: C. O’Malley, S. Whyte, D. Kane, R. Quinlan, J. Carey, P. Conneely, D. Durkan, D. Smith, B. Conneely, C. McCabe, W. Harnan (0-1), C. Ennis (0-2), R. Ryan (0-5), C. Collins (2-1), A. Donnelly (1-1). Subs: D. Brannigan for Carey, F. McCabe for Ennis, C. Egan (0-1) for C. McCabe.
