Tara's second-half revival proves decisive

Just how successful the new Regional FC will depend on the attitude of the players and the level of commitment they give.

If the Tara v Moyfenagh encounter tonight at Dunganny is anything to go the players are certainly prepared to give the new competition their full commitment. The tackles were meaty, the desire for success plain to see with the result we got a highly entertaining encounter full of quality football.

In the end Tara emerged with a deserved 2-12 to 0-11 victory their goals scored by Declan Smyth and Tommy Kinsella. Managed by Ger Robinson with selectors Paul Nestor, Alan Nestor and Gary Reynolds, Tara looked the stronger team although against a strong breeze they struggled to engineer scores in the opening half and trailed 1-4 to 0-11 at the interval.

They upped the tempo another notch in the second-half particularly in the final quarter when they surged clear to secure the victory. Tara could even afford to have a man sent off and still win. Paul Kelly was the man to make the long lonely walk although he didn't see red until the closing stages when there was only a few minutes of added time to play.

Like the first round games on Tuesday night there was a sizeable contingent of supporters in attendance for this game and the Boyne Valley v Blackwater which unfolded in the adjoining pitch - the good turnout another positive sign for the fledgling competition.

Colm O'Rourke was in attendance and it will be interesting to see who he and his selectors finally bring into the panel from this competition.

Certainly there were a few players who made significant contributions to Tara's victory such as Kilbride's David O'Leary who capped a busy display with five points.

Pierre Fox was another who showed up very well indeed firing over four points, all from play. Conor Harkin, Eoin Harkin, Donnacha Tobin and Cathal Murphy were just some of the others who showed up well for Robinson's team.

Tara played some fine, fast-flowing football at times. They also made a super start with Declan Smyth getting the opening score of the game in the opening minutes when he smartly fired to the net finishing off an incisive move.

Their second-goal arrived on 44 minutes when another swift-passing move ended with Paul Kelly and O'Leary combining well to work the ball to Kinsella who finished well. That goal put Tara 2-6 to 0-11 in front and looking like sure winners.

Former Trim and Meath goalkeeper Brendan Murphy is the Moyfenragh manager and he and his selectors John Rafferty and Damien Griffin and Cian Royston had good reason to be pleased with the team's display in the opening half.

With the wind behind them they fashioned a steady stream of points from Mickey Burke, who hit some superb points, while Ryan Moore, Kevin McKeon, Niall Mulvey, Eoghan Connolly, Sean Coloe and Brendan McKeon also fired over for Moyfenragh who went in at the break with their commanding lead.

Their inability to add to their account in the second-half was always likely to prove costly. They defended diligently at times but Tara's hunger, nous and know-how helped them get over the line and deservedly get their campaign off to a winning start.

SCORERS

Tara - David O'Leary 0-5, two frees; Pierre Fox 0-4; Declan Smyth 1-0; Tommy Kinsella 1-0; Tadgh O Dushlaine 0-1; Cathal Murphy 0-1 free; Paul Kelly 0-1.

Moyfenragh - Mickey Burke 0-3; Ryan Moore 0-2 two frees; Kevin McKeon 0-2; Brendan McKeon 0-1; Sean Coloe 0-1; Eoghan Connolly 0-1; Niall Mulvey 0-1.

TEAMS

Tara - Tommy Dalton (Blackhall Gaels); Pauraic Burke (Dunsany), Eoin O'Connor (Dunshaughlin), Conor Harkin (Dunsany); Eoin Harkin (Dunsany), Jamie McWeeney (Kilbride), Sean O'Neill (Dunshaughlin); Declan Smyth, Rian Kealy (Dunsany); Paul Kelly (Blackhall Gaels), David O'Leary (Kilbride), Donnacha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels); Cathal Murphy (Dunsany), Alan Nestor (Blackhall Gaels), Pierre Fox (Dunsany). Subs - Tadgh O Dushlaine (Dunshaughlin) for O'Neill half-time, Tommy Kinsella (Dunshaughlin) for Murphy 44 mins, Charlie O'Donnell (Dunsany) for Kealy 50m, Dermot Carty (Blackhall Gaels) for Nestor 52m, Fergal Kiernan (Blackhall Gaels) for O Dushlaine. Other panel members - Niall Flynn (Dunsany), Wes Goodwin (Dunshaughlin), Shane Walsh (Dunsany), Conor Mooney (Dunshaughlin), Josh Harford (Kilbride), Cian Harford (Kilbride), Hugh Smith (Blackhall Gaels).

Moyfenragh - Harry Hogan (Longwood); Jamie Smith (Ballivor), Niall Mulvey (Longwood), Stefan Connolly (Ballivor); Ray Hatton (Boarsmill), Damien Healy (Longwood), Eoghan Connolly (Clonard); Sean Coloe (Longwood), Kevin McKeon (Ballivor); Shane Dunne (Clonard), Mickey Burke (Longwood), Brendan McKeon (Ballivor); Danny Dixon (Boardsmill), Ryan Moore (Longwood), Billy Hogan (Longwood). Subs - Fergal O'Hare (Longwood) for Hatton half-time, Brian O'Reilly (Boardsmill) for Burke 39m, Ryan Raleigh for Dunne 49 mins, Liam O'Brien (Boardsmill) for B Hogan 56m. Other panel members - Conor Smith (Ballivor), Ciaran Sheridan (Longwood).

Referee - Martin Dawson (St Michael's).