Moynalvey fell tamely to neighbours Blackhall Gaels in the semi-final of the Div. 4 Premier Championship on a 4-15 to 0-9 score line at Moynalvey on Tuesday evening July 5th.
Moynalvey 0-9
Blackhall Gaels 4-15
Having gone through the group stage undefeated to top the table going into the semi-final stage, Moynalvey went down to the same opposition they had beaten 4-11 to 0-10 in the second round.
However, this time around it was a much-strengthened opposition line, bolstered by the addition of a few more first team players this time, including top scorer Paul Kelly.
It was the home side who opened the scoring in the second minute with a Darren Brennan point, which was followed up by an Adam Rooney point to leave it 0-2 to 0-0 with eight minutes played.
Blackhall Gaels opened their account in the 9th minute through Paul Kelly and a minute later James Kelly pointed to level matters, two points each.
The visitors firmly took control from here on reeling off 2-5 without reply before Moynalvey would score again in the 32nd minute. Blackhall’s goals coming from James Kelly and Conor Duffy along with five points for Paul Kelly.
Moynalvey’s 32nd minute score came from a Vinny Walsh free, followed by a Padraig Kelly point two minutes later to leave the half time score read 2-7 to 0-4.
Upon the restart Blackhall Gaels’ continued where they left off with a Paul Kelly free just 90 seconds into the half. Moynalvey’s woes were then further compounded with the loss of the influential Daren Brennan to injury.
A Paul Kelly point and a goal for midfielder Fearghal Kiernan extended Blackhall’s advantage to 14 points before a point from Shaun Deering and a ’45 from Ray Ryan broke the visitors scoring run temporarily.
Another 1-6 without reply from the visitors along with the dismissal of Shaun Deering left a long evening even longer for Moynalvey players and supporters who were still in attendance, leaving it 4-15 to 0-6.
The final three scores of the evening did go Moynalvey’s way with points from substitute Stephen Cummins, Ray Ryan and Paul Corcoran to leave the score board read 4-15 to 0-9.
Unfortunately, a good campaign finished with a below par performance in the semi-final, but credit to Blackhall who were far superior on the night. Best of luck to Blackhall Gaels in the Final.
Moynalvey team & scorers:
Chris O’Malley, Conor Egan, Scott Tuite, Darragh Branigan, Eoin Corrigan, David Donoghue, Adam Rooney (0-1), Donal Smith, Charlie McCormack, Paul Corcoran (0-1), Darren Brennan (0-1), Padraig Kelly (0-1), Vinny Walsh (0-1f), Sean Duggan, Shaun Deering (0-1).
Subs: Ray Ryan (0-2, 1x’45), for Brennan, Stephen Cummins (0-1) for Smith, Anthony Brien for Corrigan, Aidan Gilsenan for Branigan.
