League title for Moynalvey

Moynalvey defeated Oldcastle by 1-10 to 1-8 in the B FL Div 3 final with a late surge deep into injury-time securing victory on Friday night at Simonstown.

Moynalvey pointed as early as 15 seconds with James O’Neill splitting the posts, but Oldcastle opened their account in the ninth minute with midfielder Ronan Maguire pointing.

Sixty seconds later O’Neill fielded a high ball before turning sending over, but Oldcastle’s Alan McCann converted a free in the 10th minute to leave it all square for a second time, 0-2 apiece.

A minute later Oldcastle’s McCann dispatched brilliantly while at the other end O’Neill converted a free to leave a goal in it.

One of three first half goal chances for Moynalvey was spurned in the 23rd minute with Oldcastle goalie Patrick Kevin pulling off a point blank save from Ciaran Ennis. Moynalvey were left to rue these missed chances, with a paltry three points on the scoreboard at the break and with Oldcastle adding two more points to their tally to lead by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.

The introduction of Conor Harnan, Sean Duggan and Robbie Kiernan at half time had an immediate impact for Moynalvey as within eight minutes of the restart the deficit was down to a point.
David Reilly set up O’Neill for his fourth point and an Oldcastle free was countered again by James O’Neill in the 35th and 36th minutes before Darragh Branigan fisted home a goal, leaving the minimum between the sides, 1-5 to 1-6.

Oldcastle broke this Moynalvey momentum with two quick fire points, but Moynalvey’s Ciaran Ennis opened his account in the 53rd minute and following a lengthy stoppage in play due to an injury to an Oldcastle player who was subsequently removed from the pitch Moynalvey’s James O’Neilll held his composure to convert a free leaving it 1-8 to 1-7 after 59 minutes of play.
Following a few injury stoppages, breaks in play due to 'exchanges' and several substitutions a considerate amount of injury time was added on by the referee. It was four minutes into this additional time Moynalvey drew level with O’Neill once again holding his nerve to draw the sides level for a third time.

Momentum was completely on the side of the men in maroon and white and a sweeping move that involved Anthony Forde and Conor Harnan set up the experienced Ciaran Ennis who made no mistake in splitting the uprights, handing his side the lead for just the second time in this contest.

A superb point off the left wing by David Reilly in the ninth minute of additional time secured victory for Moynalvey.

A proud Peter Collins presented the John Moran Cup to Darragh Branigan.

Best for Moynalvey were Anthony Forde, Darragh Branigan, David Reilly, Ciaran Ennis, James O’Neill, Conor Harnan, Sean Duggan, Robbie Kiernan and Johnny Carey.

Moynalvey - Padraig Donoghue; Eoghan Mitchell, Shane Browne, Anthony Brien; Anthony Forde, David Donoghue, Darragh Brannigan; Paul Conneely, Dominic O’Brien; David Reilly (0-1), John Donoghue, Ciaran Ennis (0-2); Conor Shirren, James O’Neill (0-7), Shaun Deering. Subs - Robbie Kiernan for Mitchell, Sean Duggan for Conneely, Conor Harnan for O'Brien, Johnny Carey for Shirren, David Kane for Brien.