For the second time in four weeks Moynalvey were on the wrong end of a score line against Wolfe Tones, this time in the A League at Kilberry on Saturday evening May 5th.
Wolfe Tones 3-15
Moynalvey 1-13
Four weeks ago Wolfe Tones had fifteen points to spare over Moynalvey in the opening round of the Senior Championship. This time Tones almost racked up the same score line, 3-15 in this game compared to 3-16 four weeks ago, however this re-acquaintance was a slightly more competitive affair with Tony Kearney’s charges running out eight point winners on this occasion.
Both sides were down many regulars through county commitments and injuries, but the game was still entertaining played in perfect conditions. Last year’s league champions first quarter scoring spree, taking a nine point lead at one stage laid the foundations for their win.
Moynalvey were first to trouble the score keeper when centre forward David McLoughlin pointed in the 2nd minute. Cian Ward opened the home side’s account a minute later, before Sarán Ó’Fionnagáin found the Moynalvey net in the 5th minute.
Moynalvey responded with a Ray Ryan point, before points from Niall O’Reilly, Eanna Harrington and Fiachra Ward either side of a Padraic Diamond goal saw the Tones open up an eight point lead, 2-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.
A John Donoghue point for Moynalvey was followed by Tones’ points from the two Cian’s, Ward and O’Neill, extending the home side’s advantage to nine points after 15 minutes played, 2-6 to 0-3.
Moynalvey’s regular goalkeeper Ray Ryan lining out in the full forward line fielded a high ball in and brilliantly dispatched across the face of David Nolan’s goal for the game’s third goal in the 16th minute. Another Moynalvey point a minute later reduced the deficit to five points, 2-6 to 1-4.
Any hopes of a Moynalvey come back were dashed with the impressive Caolan Ward rattling off three points in a row, followed by a Niall O’Reilly point, extending Wolfe Tones advantage to nine points once again. David McLoughlin tagged on a point for the visitors before the half time whistle, with the score board reading 2-10 to 1-5 at the break.
The second half was a much more evenly contested affair with the sides matching scores, with Moynalvey dominating possession for large periods, but with scoring opportunities going a begging they were unable to eat into Wolfe Tones’ eight point winning margin.
Wolfe Tones’ points from Niall O’Reilly and Padraic Diamond either side of a David McLoughlin point saw the score board read double scores, 2-12 to 1-6, six minutes after the resumption.
A brilliant finger tip save from Moynalvey ‘keeper David Brennan denied Wolfe Tones a third goal in the 40th minute.
However Tones’ third goal did arrive three minutes later with substitute Thomas Blaney blasting to the Moynalvey net soon after an Eanna Harrington point, leaving it 3-13 to 1-6.
Five Moynalvey points without reply from John Donoghue, substitute James O’Neill, David McLoughlin, Scott Tuite and James Weldon left the score 3–13 to 1-11 after 50 minutes.
Two points apiece in the remaining ten minutes, Wolfe Tones’ two coming from Caolan Ward and Moynalvey’s from a Ray Ryan ‘45 and a booming Mark O’Sullivan point from out near the side line left the final score 3-15 to 1-13.
Moynalvey: David Brennan, Scott Tuite (0-1), Robert Lawless, Darragh Branigan, Fearghal McCabe, Darren Brennan, Shane Lenehan, Donal Smith, John Donoghue (0-2), James Weldon (0-1), David McLoughlin (0-4, 1f), Sean Duggan, Ray Ryan (1-2, 1 ‘45), Mark O’Sullivan (0-1), Shaun Deering (0-1).
Sub: James O’Neill (0-1) for Deering
