Moynalvey’s minor campaign came to a disappointing and controversial conclusion as they fell to a one point defeat to St Ciarans in the Division 3B league final in Pairc Tailteann on Wednesday night, September 10th. Mark O’Sullivan on the attack in the minor final V St Ciarans
Moynalvey 1 – 8 St Ciarans 2 – 6
The game did not start until after 9pm due to the fact that the preceding Division 4 final went to extra time. However, this did not faze both teams who served up very exciting fare. Moynalvey played with the wind in the first half and when Feidhlim Cunningham goaled after 20 minutes to go along with his earlier 2 pointed frees and Mark O’Sullivan’s point from play, this left Moynalvey 1 – 3 to 0 – 1 clear. St Ciaran’s responded with 2 points of their own before a further Cunningham pointed free on the stroke of half time left Moynalvey ahead by 1 – 4 to 0 – 3 at the interval. The accumulation of 8 wides in this opening half was to prove costly however for Moynalvey as they should really have been further clear given the amount of possession they enjoyed.
St Ciarans responded admirably after the interval and despite Cunningham scoring the first point of the half to push Moynalvey 5 points clear, the eventual winners were to hit their purple patch scoring 2 – 3 in the space of 10 minutes to go 2 – 6 to 1 – 5 ahead with 15 minutes remaining. Moynalvey made some positional switches and with William Mahady giving an awesome display from centre back, the men in maroon regained a foothold in the game. Mark O’Sullivan kicked an excellent score from play followed by a pointed free to leave the scoreline at 2- 6 to 1 – 7 with 5 minutes remaining.
In a frantic finish, Moynalvey pressed for a winning goal and Feidhlim Cunningham was denied by a fantastic point blank save by the St Ciaran’s keeper whilst Sean Burke also went close. In the final minute, a well worked move looked set to leave Cunningham clean through on goals but he was unceremoniously taken down from behind with the offending St Ciaran’s corner back receiving a red card on account of a second yellow. A minor scuffle ensued with a further player from each side being red carded. Moynalvey had to go for goal from the resultant free but Mark O’Sullivan’s effort went narrowly over the bar to leave the minimum between the sides.
However, there was time for no more and St Ciarans held on to win the crown. This was a great effort by all the Moynalvey lads and credit must go to all the players and the management team of John Donoghue, Liam Harnan and Frank Sullivan for their efforts this year.
Team & scorers – Gavin Byrne, Sean Carroll, Shane Browne, Sean Burke, William Mahady, Luke Duffy, William Harnan, Mark Munnelly, Padraig Kelly, Mark O’Sullivan (0 – 4), Darren Brennan, Shane McGann, Feidhlim Cunningham (1 – 4). Subs – Anthony Forde, David Reilly, Nicky Madden, Sean Dunleavy, Sean Egan, Tiernan Mahady & Cathal McCabe.
