Coloe impresses as Moyfenragh move closer to last four

Moyfenragh all but sealed their passage through to the semi-finals of this year’s Regional FC with a hugely impressive and polished 1-17 to 1-10 victory over An Tuascairt on a bitterly cold Wednesday night in Dunganny, writes Davy Rispin.

Whilst not mathematically assured of their place in the last four, it would take a crazy set of results and score difference for Tommy Hanley’s charges not to advance.

The Longwood, Ballivor, Clann na nGael and Clonard combination played some slick football posting 1-13 from play and not registering a solitary wide in the second half.

The north Meath amalgamation of Castletown, Nobber, Kilmainhamwood, Drumconrath and Meath Hill battled admirably – just as they did in the opening round - but the gulf in class between the teams was evident throughout. Seamus Kenny’s side will be just playing for pride when they come up against fellow north Meath rivals Loughcrew in the final round of group stage action next week.

The men in green made the perfect start with Stevie Gibbons and Daragh Swaine posting points before Adam Gannon rattled the net following neat interplay with Ballivor clubmate Stefan Kelly after six minutes.

An Tuascairt did eventually settle with three of the next four points from Gary Breslin, Seamus Doherty and a monster free from Dominic Yorke with Danny Dixon adding a score for Moyfenragh.

Swaine and Breslin (free) exchanged scores prior to Barry Cassidy registering an excellent score for An Tuascairt to reduce the gap to two after 20 minutes, 1-5 to 0-6. Gibbons and Sean Coloe gave Moyfenragh a cushion again but a goal, which was dispatched brilliantly by Dean Halpin to the roof of the net, helped to give An Tuascairt hope shortly before half-time. Late points from Dixon (free) and Coloe did give their side a deserved 1-8 to 1-5 advantage at the interval.

Moyfenragh’s game management and clinical edge in the second period was outstanding. They limited their opponents to just two points in the third quarter, both from the boot of Breslin. Dixon hit a further brace in this period along with a long range free from substitute goalkeeper Billy Hogan.

Despite the effective 15 minutes after half time, it was four consecutive scores between the 47th and 57th minute which put the game to bed. Gannon, Coloe, Dixon and Swaine all raised white flags for a rampant Moyfenragh.

The North never gave in and added consolation scores from Meath Hill’s James Mooney and Breslin (two) but further scores from Swaine, Dixon and the superb Coloe ensured it would be another sweet victory for Tommy Hanley and his troops.

Moyfenragh - Eoin Griffin (Clann na nGael); Jamie Smith (Ballivor), Stefan Connolly (Ballivor), Eoin Treacy (Clonard); Gary Sherrock (Ballivor), Mickey Burke (Longwood), Brian O’Reilly (Clonard); Sean Coloe (Longwood 0-4), Niall Durkin (Boardsmill); Stevie Gibbons (Boardsmill 0-2), Danny Dixon (Boardsmill 0-5 two frees), Adam Dowdall (Clonard); Stefan Kelly (Ballivor), Darragh Swaine (Clann na nGael 0-4 one free), Adam Gannon (Ballivor 1-1). Subs - Billy Hogan (Longwood 0-1 free) for Griffin half-time, Ross Kerrigan (Longwood) for Treacy 36m, Gavin Griffiths (Longwood) for Burke 52m, Thomas Raleigh (Ballivor) for Dowdall 57m.

An Tuascairt - Dary Hutchinson (Nobber); Barry Cassidy (Nobber 0-1), Thomas Carolan (Meath Hill), Barry Bradley (Nobber); Killian Price (Castletown), Ryan Owens (Meath Hill), Oran Brady (Drumconrath); Brian Cassidy (Kilmainhamwood), Killian Markey (Castletown); Seamus Doherty (Castletown 0-1), Gary Breslin (Meath Hill 0-6 four frees), Dean Halpin (Nobber 1-0); Jack McMahon (Meath Hill), Dominic Yorke (Meath Hill 0-1 free), James Mooney (Meath Hill 0-1). Subs - Jamie O’Neill (Drumconrath) for Price 24 mins, Daniel Byrne (Drumconrath) for Brady 45m, Tomas Conlon (Drumconrath) for Doherty 50m, Niall Conlon (Kilmainhamwood) for Markey 58m, Sean Murray (Drumconrath) for Brian Cassidy 60m, Eoin Muldoon (Drumconrath) for Hutchinson 60m.

Referee - Martin Dawson (St Michael’s).