Moynalvey’s seven point win over St. Ultans in the penultimate round of the Div. 2 A League played at Sean Newman Park on Tuesday evening 23rd August ensures them of promotion to Div. 1 and a place in the League Final.
St.Ultans 1-10 Moynalvey 4-8
Both teams were in contrasting positions heading into this Round 12 back game, Moynalvey knew a win would guarantee them promotion and a league final place, while St. Ultans are fighting at the under end of the table to stay out of relegation. Moynalvey’s win ensures that they will at least finish in the top two, with third place three points adrift with a single round remaining, guaranteeing Moynalvey promotion and Division 1 Football next year and a place in this year’s Div. 2 League Final.
Just 48 Hrs after a SFC clash with Na Fianna in gruelling conditions Moynalvey went about their business in the first half racking up an eight point interval lead. Ultimately Moynalvey’s ability to open up Ultans for goals proved the difference as Ultan’s Robert Daly was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers throughout the hour.
Moynalvey had three of their four goals scored in the opening 30 minutes to hold a 3-5 to 1-3 half time lead. Moynalvey’s James O’Neill opened the scoring in the 5th minute, with the game’s first green flag being raised in the 8th minute when Cathal McCabe won possession in his half back line and three passes later county minor footballer/hurler Brian O’Reilly had the ball in the Ultans net. O’Reilly was then fouled two minutes later with O’Sullivan converting the free. Moynalvey’s second goal came in the in the 12th minute when O’Sullivan this time provided the assist, squaring across goal for Fearghal McCabe to finish soccer style from close range, leaving the visitors ahead 2-2 to 0-00.
Having been denied by the crossbar in the 7th minute with a rasping effort at goal, St. Ultan’s Mark Allen opened his side’s account on the quarter hour mark with a free. A minute later just the goal separated the sides as St. Ultan’s scored a goal of their own when midfielder Ronan Breslin was given the freedom of the park to run through untouched and bury past Moynalvey’s Conor Egan.
Moynalvey’s response to this set back was excellent, hitting 1-3 without reply. Firstly O’Reilly pointed when under severe Ultans pressure, excellent play from Conor Harnan set up Mark O’Sullivan before O’Sullivan pointed his second free of the evening. The goal came after James O’Neill offloaded to Brian O’Reilly in front of the posts who was left with a simple tap in. Breslin converted a free for Ultan’s just before half time to leave Moynalvey leading 3-5 to 1-3 at the break.
Moynalvey got off to the perfect start to the second half, within 20 seconds of the restart Moynalvey midfielder Donal Smith had split the uprights and then 20 seconds on a poor kickout resulted in Moynalvey’s James O’Neill placed the ball into the top corner past St. Ultans Robert Daly for his side’s 4th goal, giving Moynalvey a twelve point lead, 4-6 to 1-3.
Ronan Breslin converted his second free in the 34th minute, with Moynalvey’s Mark O’Sullivan replying three minutes later. O’Sullivan then looked certain to score his side’s 5th goal when placed through one on one with the keeper, only to see his effort dragged wide & left of the post.
The home side outscored Moynalvey 0-7 to 1-3 in the second half and 0-6 to 0-1 in the final quarter. Points from Ronan Breslin (3f), Mark Allen, Christian Byrne and a substitute, with a Moynalvey point from Shane Lenehan sandwiched in between saw Moynalvey run out eventual seven point winners on a 4-8 to 1-10 score line.
Moynalvey: Conor Egan, Robert Lawless, Brian Harnan, Darren Brennan, Eamonn Walsh, Cathal McCabe, Darragh Branigan, Donal Smith (0-1), Stephen Donoghue, Shane Lenehan (0-1), Fearghal McCabe (1-0), Conor Harnan, James O’Neill (1-1), Mark O’Sullivan (0-4, 2f), Brian O’Reilly (2-1). Subs: James Weldon for O’Reilly, Paul Conneely for C. Harnan, Sean Duggan for O’Neill, Conor Shirren for O’Sullivan.
