Moynalvey maintained their unbeaten start to the J.M Food Services Div. 2 League with a hard fought three point win over visitors St. Vincents at Kilmore Park on sunny Saturday afternoon 5th April.
Moynalvey 1-11
St. Vincents 0-11
Ultimately it was Shane Lenehan’s first half goal which proved the difference as Moynalvey secured their second win from three outings in the J.M Food services with two wins and a draw to their credit to make it five points from a possible six points after three rounds.
St. Vincents started off the brighter of the two sides with opening three points in the first, fifth and seventh minutes. Moynalvey registered their first score of the game when David McLoughlin made space to set Shane Lenehan through on goal who finished to Graham Connor’s net to raise the only green flag of the game.
St. Vincents regained the lead with a Ryan Hand free in the 12th minute, their third free to be brought forward within scoring distance following dissent from Moynalvey. Five minutes later Evan Drum equalized for the home side and five minutes later Moynalvey took the lead through David McLoughlin after Padraic Harnan won the turnover, making it 1-2 to 0-4, a lead they weren’t to relinquish from here on.
McLoughlin and Conor Harford traded scores to make it 1-3 to 0-5 with twenty four minutes played, McLoughlin’s effort being a brilliant score from distance. The home side fired over the last two points of the half from Vinny Walsh and a McLoughlin free, meaning Shane Lenehan’s goal separated the sides at half time, 1-5 to 0-5.
Half Time Score:
Moynalvey 1-11
St. Vincents 0-11
St. Vincents Matthew Griffin opened the second half scoring after four minutes with David McLoughlin clipping over a close range free after Luke Duffy had been fouled to make it 1-6 to 0-6.
Struggling to pull away from their opponents, Moynalvey moved four points clear of St. Vincents in the 40th minute when David McLoughlin caught everyone off guard when playing a clever free from the right hand side across the pitch to Charlie McCormack in space who duly split the uprights, leaving it 1-7 to 0-6.
Two St. Vincents points reduced the margin to two, 1-7 to 0-8, midway through the second half, the second a close range free after the ball was brought forward again for indiscipline. Moynalvey responded with a brace of McLoughlin points to leave four between the sides again, 1-9 to 0-8, with forty nine minutes played.
A point from St. Vincents wing forward Adam Andrews left just the goal between the sides again and then Conor Harford fired over the game’s only two pointer to leave the minimum between the sides, 1-9 to 0-11, with nine minutes remaining.
However, that proved to be the visitors last score of the afternoon and Moynalvey went on to add a further two points through Padraic Harnan and Barry Walsh, Walsh’s point after Padraic Harnan had brilliantly fielded Conor Egan’s kickout and set Walsh on his way. That meant the final score read 1-11 to 0-11 when referee Pat Clarke blew for full time, meaning Moynalvey maintain their unbeaten start to the division 2 league.
Best for Moynalvey were David Regan, Darragh Branigan and the excellent Harnan brothers Conor at full back and Padraic in midfield.
Next up for Moynalvey is a round four tie away to Curraha next Saturday 12th April.
Moynalvey team and scorers:
Conor Egan, Darragh Branigan, Conor Harnan, David Regan, Conor Quinn, Darren Brennan, Charlie McCormack (0-1), Padraic Harnan (0-1), Craig Gilsenan, Barry Walsh (0-1), David McLoughlin (0-6, 4f), Vinny Walsh (0-1) Evan Drum (0-1), Shane Lenehan (1-0), Luke Duffy.
Subs used:
Cillian Kelly for Duffy.
