Bell chimes soundly as Boyne Valley seal Regional FC final spot

Boyne Valley 2-3-6 (18)

Moyfenragh 0-2-8 (12)

Not only did Boyne Valley clinch a final spot but their win also ensured the final round of games will be ‘dead rubbers’ in the Regional FC at Devenish Park, Dunganny on Sunday.

Boyne Valley are due to meet Tara in the final round this Sunday before they clash again in the decider the following Sunday, while the other final round pairing of Moyfenragh and An Tuaisceart is also a nothing game and it would be difficult to envisage either game going ahead.

A brace of goals from David Bell proved the difference between the teams at the finish but there was a little bit more about Boyne Valley in terms of creativity. They also looked more solid in defence and it was hard work for their opponents to create scoring opportunities. However Moyfenragh’s cause wasn’t helped by injuries to Ethan Devine and Conor Ennis in the opening 10 minutes.

Boyne Valley made a lightning start with a two-pointer from Seán Tyrrell, for the second week in a row, and then a point from Aaron Grant inside 90 seconds. Conor Frayne and Liam Jennings, who were lively in the Moyfenragh attack, responded with the next four scores, each accounting for a brace of points as their side edged the lead by the 17th minute.

Brendan McKeon doubled the lead before Eoghan McCloghan hit a two-pointer for Boyne Valley who then struck for a goal after a defensive lapse with Aaron Grant setting up Bell who finished to the net from close range. A Boyne Valley breach gave Sean Muddiman the opportunity of a two-pointer and the Summerhill net minder made no mistake to reduce the deficit back to the minimum.

Moyfenragh’s final score of the half was another two-pointer, from Andrew McWeeney, and it came between two points from the on song Bell which left the east Meath side leading 1-7 to 0-9 at the break.

There were just two scores in the third quarter, Brendan McKeon drew the sides’ level before Bell pounced again, getting the touch to a Kevin Cully delivery for his side’s second goal on 44 minutes. Seán Tyrrell with a single point and Dylan Keating with a two-pointer from the outside of the boot stretched the lead out to six and with Moyfenragh struggling to make much impact in attack it was an uphill struggle for them after that.

Frayne and Jennings did hit quick-fire points but they failed to add to their tally in the final 10 minutes. Goalkeeper Evan Connor came upfield to slot over a free for Boyne Valley while Bell took his tally to 2-3 before the finish.

Boyne Valley: Evan Connor (St Vincent’s 0-1 free); Simon Rooney (Seneschalstown), Danny Waters (Seneschalstown), Ciaran O’Hare (Rathkenny); Liam Stafford (St Colmcille’s), James O’Hare (Rathkenny), Conor Harford (St Vincent’s); Jamie Browne (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Eoghan McCloghan (St Colmcille’s 0-2 two-pointer); Evan Quinn (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Dylan Keating (Seneschalstown 0-2 two-pointer), Seán Tyrrell (Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-3 one two-pointer); David Bell (2-3 one free), Aaron Grant (St Colmcille’s 0-1), Davy Curtis (Rathkenny). Subs: Alan Mulvany (Seneschalstown) for Curtis, Kevin Cully (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) for Harford both half-time, Conor Carton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) for Rooney 48m, Cillian Hegarty (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) for Browne 54m, Liam Lynch (St Mary’s) for C O’Hare 56m, Darren O’Brien (Seneschalstown) for McCloghan, Ryan Finnegan (Seneschalstown) for Tyrrell both 58m.

Moyfenragh: Sean Muddiman (Summerhill 0-2 two-point free); Dominic Finnegan (Longwood), Ben Moran (Summerhill), Conor Ennis (Ballinabrackey); Sam Jordan (Na Fianna), Adam O’Brien (Ballinabrackey), Michael Brady (Moynalvey); David Lernihan (Trim), Ethan Devine (Na Fianna); Andrew McWeeney (Kilbride 0-2 two-pointer), Niall Smullen (Ballinabrackey), Brendan McKeon (Ballivor 0-2); Conor Frayne (Summerhill 0-3), Josh Harford (Kilbride), Liam Jennings (Moynalvey 0-3). Subs: Adam Murphy (Moynalvey) for Devine 8m, Jack Hayes (St Peter’s) for Ennis 10m, Daire Lynch (Trim) for Smullen half-time, Nicky Potterton (Ballivor) for McKeon 40m, Finn White (Kilbride) for Harford 50m, Luke Carolan (St Peter’s) for McWeeney 54m, Vinny Walsh (Moynalvey) for Jennings, Harry Hogan (Longwood) for Lernihan both 56m.

Referee: Adrian Corcoran (Drumbaragh).