Moynalvey back in the big time now

"Is Feider Linn Moynalvey" pronounced a banner displayed by a group of young supporters in the stand at Pairc Tailteann before the start of Sunday's IFC final. They obviously felt their side could do the business and bring home the Mattie McDonnell Cup for the first time since 1983. Ultimately their youthful optimism was proved to be well found as Moynalvey captain John Donoghue put in a storming second-half performance to lead his troops across the line and book their ticket in the senior ranks. Yet after 21 minutes of this contest even the most optimistic Moynalvey supporter, including the holders of the banner, must have felt that this game, and the title, was slipping away from them and was already half-way up the M3 to north Meath. By that stage Gaeil Colmcille moved into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead with their goal scored by Martin Barrett. Not only were Gaeil Colmcille in the lead they were in cruise control, looking like a team who really believed that they could end their long exile out of the senior ranks. Although they were not to know it at the time Barrett's goal was to prove to be the pinnacle of Gaeil Colmcille's day. After that score Moynalvey came more into the game and by half-time they trailed by 'only' 0-7 to 1-8. They were in with a shout - and they knew it. For the first 20 minutes of this game Moynavely simply failed to perform, their game undermined, it seemed by nerves. Their play was peppered with errors, their defence looked vulnerable, their attacks lacked any real conviction. The green shoots of Moynalvey's renewal, clearly evident in the closing stages of that opening half, positively blossomed into life early in the second-half. A telling indication of how and where Moynalvey won this game could be gleaned from the fact that they claimed possession from eight of the first 12 kick-outs in the second-half. Their midfield took control and provided their forwards with the platform to go on and win. Moynalvey tactics involved playing without a half-forward line with Padraig Harnan, Mark O'Sullivan and David Donoghue withdrawn into much deeper positions to forage and prevent ball going into the lively Gaeil Colmcille full-forward line. It worked a treat in the second-half when the team in maroon also had a stiff breeze as an ally. Stephen Donoghue and John Donoghue were dominant in that central area after the break, but there were others such as David Donoghue, O'Sullivan and Ken Hyland who won some vital ball to keep the pressure on the increasingly beleagured Gaeil Colmcille defence. Because of their slow start Moynalvey spent most of this game playing catch-up. They managed to haul themselves level after 47 minutes with a David Donoghue point before taking the lead two minutes later when Cillian O'Sullivan slotted over a super effort after good work by John Donoghue and James Kelly. Once out in front they stayed there with Kelly tagging on a late insurance score. Almost immediatly after Cillian O'Sullivan's point Lady Luck smiled benignly on Moynalvey. The impressive Gaeil Colmcille midfielder Justin Carry-Lynch won the ball in midfield and started a move. Barrett passed to Brian Hanlon, who was unmarked and in space about 10 metres out from goals. He unleased a shot and the ball cannoned against the bar. It was a reprieve for Moynalvey who seemed to appreciate that they had got off the hook. Shortly afterwards they launched an attack that ended with Kelly splitting the posts with a fine effort to put two points between the sides - and that's how it stayed. The fact that seven Moynalvey players were on the scoresheet indicated how much of a scoring threat they were once they got their passing game going with Barry O'Keeffe, Stephen Donoghue, John Donoghue, David Donoghue, O'Sullivan, Ciaran Collins and Willie Byrne all pointing. Hanlon was one of those who did more than most to help Gaeil Colmcille build up a commanding first-half lead firing over five points in succession to put his team 0-5 to 0-1 in front after 19 minutes. Philly Ward and Carry-Lynch won plenty of possession for Gaeil Colmcille at midfield in the opening 20 minutes, but as the game progressed they had less and less of an influence as Moynalvey took a grip. It was significant that all but one of Gaeil Colmcille's scores came from their full-forward line with Danny McGovern and Barrett also firing over. However, their supply lines dried up significantly in the second-half with only Gary Arkins and Hanlon managing to get scores. Both sides had efforts to increase their respective scores in the exciting closing stages with Cillian O'Sullivan shooting over three wides while Hanlon also hit a free wide from about 35 metres out. It was a surprising miss considering how prolific he was in the opening half. Moynalvey hit all their eight wides in the second-half and it looked like their wastefulness might prove costly however they held their composure in the closing stages to drive on and wrap up a victory. Now they are back at the top level - and how their supporters celebrated including those holding the 'Is Feider Linn Moynalvey' banner. SCORERS Moynalvey - C O'Sullivan 0-3 one free, W Byrne 0-3 two frees, D Donoghue 0-2, S Donoghue 0-1, J Donoghue 0-1 '45', C Collins 0-1, B O'Keeffe 0-1, K Hyland 0-1, D Treacy 0-1, J Kelly 0-1. Gaeil Colmcille - B Hanlon 0-6 three frees, M Barrett 1-2, G Arkins 0-1, D McGovern 0-1. TEAMS Moynalvey - Ollie Regan; Robert Kiernan, Paul Weldon, Padraig Donoghue; Anthony Forde, Barry O'Keeffe, Willie Mahedy; Stephen Donghue, John Donghue; Padraig Harnan, Mark O'Sullivan, David Donoghue; Cillian O'Sullivan, Ciaran Collins. Willie Byrne. Subs - Ken Hyland for Collins half-time, Daniel Treacy for P Donoghue 35m, James Kelly for Byrne 40m. Gaeil Colmcille - David Drew; Michael Foley, Robbie Flanagan, Declan Smith; Conal Finn, Barry Smith, Barry Tormay; Philly Ward, Justin Carry-Lynch; Gary Arkins, Alan Hickey, Seanie Curran; Danny McGovern, Martin Barrett, Brian Hanlon. Subs - Keith Reilly for Hickey 35mins, Seamus Mattimoe for Arkins 48m, Paul Tormay for Finn 51m, Stephen Reddy for Smith 59m. REFEREE Donal Smyth (Navan O'Mahonys).