Moynalvey under 15’s produced a fantastic second half performance to recover from a 6 point interval deficit and defeat local rivals Summerhill after this enthralling league final played under lights in Pairc Tailteann on Thursday, December 4th.
Moynalvey 0 – 13 Summerhill 0 – 10
Things looked bleak for Moynalvey after 20 minutes. Trailing by 0 – 7 to 0 – 0 and not playing with the usual cohesion expected of this team, it seemed a physically bigger Summerhill team were set to stroll to victory. However, Moynalvey had other ideas and a James Kelly pointed free after 22 minutes and a point from play by midfielder Sean Burke soon after reduced the gap to 5 points before Summerhill pointed just before the interval to leave the half time score as Summerhill 0 – 8 Moynalvey 0 – 2.
Whatever words manager Denis O’Shea and selectors Frank O’Sullivan, Paul Harnan and Cillian O’Sullivan said to their charges at the break, these had the desired effect on the team for the second period. Padraig Harnan moved out from his full forward berth as a third midfielder and Moynalvey began to seize control of this middle sector. Points from James Kelly (2 frees) and a huge effort from play from Burke had Moynalvey within 3 points after 5 minutes of the second half. Summerhill then pointed to restore their 4 point advantage but this proved only temporary respite.
Padraig Harnan was narrowly wide with a goal effort when clean through before further efforts from Kelly (2) and substitute Cian Gorman left the minimum in it at 0 – 9 to 0 – 8 with 15 minutes still remaining. Roared on by a large and vocal Moynalvey support, Eric Ryan popped up with a fine point to tie the game with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Captain James Kelly was proving deadly accurate from frees and he put Moynalvey ahead for the first time in the game with 8 minutes remaining. John Francis Martin pointed to push Moynalvey 2 clear before 2 more Kelly frees had Moynalvey 0 – 13 to 0 – 9 ahead as the game entered injury time. Summerhill pointed in the final minute of injury time to leave a goal between the sides but with Anthony Forde and his defensive colleagues in fine form, Moynalvey were not going to let slip their lead and there were joyous scenes at the final whistle as Kelly received the trophy on behalf of his teammates from County Board representative Eddie Battersby.
In what has been a remarkable year for the Moynalvey club, this under 15 trophy now goes alongside similar successes at primary schools, under 12, under 14, under 21 and Junior level. The club will be hoping to add to this collection and finish the year on a high when they tackle St Mary’s Rochfortbridge in the Leinster club final this coming Sunday.
Team & scorers – Chris O’Malley, Conor Egan, Shane Browne, Dane Hoban, Robert Fagan, Anthony Forde, Cathal McCabe, Sean Burke (0 – 2), Darren Brennan, Eamon Walsh, James Kelly (0 – 8), Ferghal McCabe, Brian Harnan, Padraig Harnan, Eric Ryan (0 – 1). Subs – John Francis Martin (0 – 1) for Conor Egan, Cian Gorman (0 – 1) for Ferghal McCabe, David McLoughlin for Eric Ryan, Daragh Branigan & Joseph Munnelly.
