Whilst other results had dictated that both Moynalvey and St Brigids would qualify for the quarter finals, this did not take away from what was a tough, tight and often hard hitting championship encounter at Athboy, in which Moynalvey’s recent poor run of form continued.
Moynalvey 0 – 11 St Brigids 1 – 10
Indeed the game swung on a controversial injury time goal at the end of the first half when, with Moynalvey leading 0 – 6 to 0 – 5, a long range St Brigids free ended up in the back of the Moynalvey net. Both neutral umpires signalled a square ball, but to the amazement of the Moynalvey players the referee reversed the decision and allowed the goal to stand.
Willie Byrne opened the scoring for Moynalvey in the third minute and both teams went point for point until the interval with Cathal Sheridan (1 free and 3 from play) and Robbie Quinlan accounting for Moynalvey’s scores. Moynalvey looked like they would hold their one point interval lead until that late controversial Brigids goal.
The second half resumed in similarly tight fashion and although Brigids got the opening score of the half, Moynalvey responded and got the deficit down to one courtesy of points from Sheridan and Quinlan. Brigids went 2 points up again courtesy of a fine score before Sheridan almost goaled from a quick free but was stopped by a great save from the Brigids keeper.
The half then went point for point again with Sheridan scoring one from play and two frees and despite Moynalvey dominating possession in the last ten minutes, they could not force the breakthrough and Brigids held firm for a hard earned two point win.
This game was the final one in what proved to be a very tight and well contested Junior championship group. St Brigids now advance with confidence to play Drumbaragh in the quarter finals, whilst Moynalvey know they will have to improve considerably if they want to trouble one of the championship favourites Slane in their quarter final.
Team & scorers – O Regan, R Kiernan, P Donoghue, D Kane, P Weldon, S Donoghue, A Brien, J Donoghue, G Fagan, J Weldon, D Dixon, W Byrne (0 – 1), R Quinlan (0 – 2), C Collins, C Sheridan (0 – 8). Subs – D Donoghue for J Weldon, P Conneely for D Kane, D Smith for C Collins, PJ Walsh for D Dixon, C Ennis for C Sheridan.
