Swift-moving Moynalvey march on unchecked

Undefeated going into this IFC quarter-final at Dunganny on Sunday, Moynalvey not only maintained that commendable record, they underlined why, in the opinion of many observers, they are strong contenders for the title itself.

One Moynalvey clubman expressed the fear beforehand that his team is being talked up too much but it's difficult to avoid the superlatives after a victory like this.

Certainly the players don't seem burdened down by weighty expectations. They once again produced some quality football, their passing and moving suggesting a telepathic understanding of what each other intends to do.

Moynalvey also have in players such as Padraic Harnan, Mark O'Sullivan, Hugh O'Sullivan and Michael Brady players who rarely, if ever, spurn possession. They were much the better side here.

Having pointed all that out, however, a certain imbalance was given to the final tally in this contest by the fact that Moynalvey added two goals in injury time scored by substitutes Vinny Walsh and Luke O'Halloran from close range.

These were added to two majors scored by Shane Lenehan and David McLoughlin in the opening act. Those goals helped to give Barry O'Keeffe's side a 2-17 to 0-2 interval lead and even though the team in maroon had to face into a sturdy breeze in the second-half everyone knew the game was over.

Dunsany's primary target this year was consolidation. They achieved that with their 4-11 to 0-6 victory over Bective. They fought and battled in this game but they came up against a Moynalvey machine that is difficult to counter.

It says something about Moynalvey's ability to create and take scores that 11 of their personnel got on the scoresheet. Hugh O'Sullivan showed the way with five points, including two two-pointers, with Mark and Cillian O'Sullivan all close behind with four points apiece and David McLoughlin adding 1-3.

Moynalvey dominated the kick-outs in the air and on the ground and when any team does that they are, of course, well on their way. As well as speed and invention Moynalvey also have physicality and strength. They can mix it.

Their goal of the game was arguably their second, scored just before the break. Brady, McLoughlin, Shane Lenehan were involved in the build up. A Lenehan shot was well saved by Dunsany 'keeper Niall Flynn. The ball broke and Lenehan swivelled and fired home with a soccer-like finish.

Having completed their primary assignment with that win over Bective, it would have been understandable if, somewhere within their collective psyche, Dunsany accepted that a respectable result would be, well, acceptable.

That target of a respectable result looked like it might be beyond them for much of the opening half. They didn't get their opening point until the 30th minute, a Eoin Harkin free, and their first from play until Lorcan Byrne fired over on 35 minutes.

Helped by the elements they upped their game considerably as the second-half progressed inspired by a series of surging runs by Harkin who fired over two super, two-pointers.

Jack Cottrell was a busy, industrious presence for Kevin Cahill's side. He also helped himself to a spectacular two-pointer to add further to Dunsany respectable scoreline at the end. Dunsany also had Kyle Donnelly was sent off in the second-half. It was another forgettable moment in a forgettable day for them.

Moynalvey march on undefeated to the last four, their dreams very much intact.

Moynalvey - Conor Egan; Brian O'Reilly, Conor Harnan, Darragh Branagan; Darren Brennan (0-1), Michael Brady (0-1), David Regan; Padraic Harnan, Craig Gilsenan (0-2); Hugh O'Sullivan (0-5 two two-pointers), Mark O'Sullivan (0-4 one two-pointer), Shane Lenehan (1-0); David McLoughlin (1-3 one free), Cillian O'Sullivan (0-4 two frees), Adam Murphy (0-1). Subs - Vinny Walsh (1-0) for M O'Sullivan 41m, Conor Quinn for McLoughlin 51m, Charlie McCormack for Branigan, Luke O'Halloran (1-0) for Lenehan both 58m, Willie Harnan for Murphy 62m.

Dunsany - Niall Flynn; Alex Smyth, Noah Conroy, David Hackett; Gavin Byrne, Harry Cahill, Pauraic Burke; Lorcan Byrne (1-0), James Cahill; Shane Brennan, Eoin Harkin (0-9 two two-pointers, three frees), Mark Horan; Kris Gorman, Declan Smyth, Jack Cottrell (0-4 one two-pointer, two frees). Subs - Alex Brady for Hackett, Kyle Donnelly for Brennan both half-time, Cathal Burke for Cahill 36m, Cian O'Sullivan for P Burke 44m, Conor Harkin for Gorman 48m.

Referee - Robert Purfield (St Patrick's).