Sheridan strikes late to seal Shield for Moynalty

Moynalty retained the Tailteann Shield by the skin of their teeth with a 0-8 to 0-7 win following a Titanic battle with hosts Cortown this evening.

The inaugural winners of the competition and beaten Junior B finalists last year Moynalty were without a number of regulars as were Cortown who were also without several key men.

On a rather still evening, Cortown opened the scoring with Oisin Smith pointing a free. Moynalty hit back with two points in succession to nose themselves in front for the first time.

It was a tense half with scores hard to come by, Moynalty netminder Johnny Lynch showed their profligate forwards how it is done with a splendid outside of the right boot effort to make it a two point game.

The hosts hit back though with Tommy Smith landing a peach from distance to narrow the deficit to the minimum again. Derek O'Brien's side did open up a deserved three point advantage but some excellent Cortown defending preventing the concession of further scores.

Mikey Rennicks engineered a rare goal chance but he was excellently foiled by Lynch from close range. However, a brace of frees prior to the interval from Oisin Smith and Davy Rispin had the gap back to one after a tense and physical first half of action with the men in red leading by 0-5 to 0-4.

Hugh Staunton equalised at the beginning of the second half for Cortown, converting an advanced mark from the top of the 'D'. Jude Gilsenan cushioned over for the visitors but then Rispin replied down the other end following an offload from Staunton.

Dylan Farrelly had Moynalty ahead again, but they were once again pegged back with Rispin pointing a free following an infringement on Oisin Smith.

Cortown were on top, dominating the possession and having the lion's share of opportunities but were guilty of several disappointing wides.

With eight minutes remaining, Ollie Sheridan delivered the decisive score and an effort worthy of winning the game.

Cortown continued to battle, desperately trying to create one moment to rescue them, but it didn't happen as Moynalty held on to record back-to-back Tailteann Shields.

Cortown - Colm McGearty; Theo Staunton, Decky Clarke, Micky Costello; Elliott Reilly, Charlie Smith, Daragh Smith; Daragh O'Halloran, Luca Brady; Hugh Staunton (0-1 mark), Stevie Clarke, Mikey Rennicks; Davy Rispin (0-3, two frees), Tommy Smith (0-1), Oisin Smith (0-2 frees).

Referee - Ian Dowdall (Bective)