Two late points from Blackhall Gaels ensured this Junior C championship opener finished in a draw in a tight game played in Dunsany.
Moynalvey 2 – 5 Blackhall Gaels 1 – 8
Blackhall Gaels opened the scoring only for points from Shane Collins (2) and Raymond Ryan to leave Moynalvey 3 points to 2 ahead after 20 minutes. However, Blackhall with wind advantage scored twice more before the break to leave them a point up at half time, 0 – 4 to 0 – 3.
The second half again was a tight affair. Blackhall opened the scoring before points from Ryan and a superb Keith Dunne effort left the sides level at 5 points each. A well worked move then resulted in a goal for Raymond Ryan to put Moynalvey ahead. Blackhall responded with a goal of their own before another point put them ahead. The see-saw nature of the game continued as a long ball was well fielded by Ollie Regan and finished to the back of the Blackhall net by Shane Reilly.
Some stout Moynalvey defending seemed set to ensure victory for the maroon and whites before a pointed Blackhall free and a leveller with the last kick of the game meant the sides finished all square.
Best for Moynalvey were Robbie Donovan and Zane Donoghue who were both superb in the full back line, Anthony Brien, Collins, Dunne and Ryan.
Team & scorers – T Boyle, R Donovan, Z Donoghue, D Kane, D Durkan, A Brien, C Farrelly, P Corcoran, P Garvey, K Dunne (0 – 1), B Gilsenan, S Collins (0 – 2), M Quinn, O Regan, R Ryan (1 – 2). Subs – S Reilly (1 – 0) for Garvey, S Courtney for Quinn.
