Major statement from impressive Slane

Slane 2-6-11 (29)

Moylagh 1-3-5 (14)

In a week dominated by the news of the return of Oasis to Slane Castle in 2027, Slane footballers produced some of their own rock and roll to revive their JFC credentials on Saturday afternoon in Moynalty.

Rocked by defeat to Dunderry in the final group game, the Boynesiders surprisingly had to navigate the quarter-final route as opposed to a direct passage through to the last four. In hindsight it may not be the worst thing in the world for the villagers as for the last couple of years the straight route to the semi-finals has proven unsuccessful for the 2023 Junior B champions.

Moylagh entered the last eight with a very different viewpoint, their one and only group stage win arrived on the final day and along with it securing their safety in the grade, it also provided them with the free hit of a quarter-final joust with Martin Barrett’s side.

Without any pressure and expectation, the north Meath club, facing into a gusty breeze in the opening half, opened the scoring inside four minutes thanks to talisman Sean Reilly. Slane did spring into life a minute later with former Meath u-20 captain Tadhg Martyn landing the first of three first half two-pointers.

Further scores from Senan Duffy (two) and a neatly struck Podge McGowan effort had their side four to the good after 12 minutes and seemingly on course. However, a Sean Reilly free dropped abruptly due to the strong winds and Joe Melia reacted quickest to centre the ball across to Eanna Brody to bundle into the net.

The Slane response was emphatic and back-to-back two-pointers in the space of 60 seconds from Alan Harding and Martyn immediately cancelled out the concession of the goal at the opposite end. Matthew Corrigan was then denied a second Moylagh goal by a smart Braydon Colfer save at his near post and despite Reilly pointing a free from that play, Slane registered a further five points on the trot.

It was the deadly duo of Harding and Martyn within a minute again to open up a 0-13 to 1-2 lead for the favourites. In truth it could have been even worse for Peadar Byrne’s side had veteran netminder Packie Kevin not produced a tremendous save to deny James Grogan in the 27th minute. Colfer raced up to convert the resulting '45'.

Shane Gibney impressively rifled over a ’45 of his own against the elements but it was the returning McGowan who had the final say of the half in stoppage time, beautifully curling over his teams sixth two-pointer from play of the half following a classy assist from Martyn to give Slane a double digits advantage at the interval, 0-16 to 1-3.

Despite Duffy pointing the first score of the second period, a cheap black card picked up by Francis Marry at the very end of the opening half gave Moylagh some encouragement at the beginning of the second. A couple of quickfire two-pointers from Darren Gibney and Darragh Tuite reduced the Slane lead to seven points four minutes into the half.

It was as close as Moylagh got though with Duffy and a Harding free resettling things for the leaders. Reilly added three pointed frees including a two-pointer, but Duffy struck the decisive blow at the beginning of the final quarter.

The impressive Ciall Flynn made an excellent penetrative run through the heart of the Moylagh defence before linking up with Matthew Tully and Ethan Harding. The latter unselfishly dished off to Duffy who cooly finished beyond Kevin.

There was no way back for the men in green and white with Alan Harding, Grogan and two more points from the deadly Duffy. Substitute Eanna Mooney rubberstamped the victory with a stoppage time goal to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with championship favourites Curraha.

Slane: Braydon Colfer (0-1 '45'); Shane O’Sullivan, Kyle Tallon, Peter Martyn; Ciall Flynn, Evan Murray, Tadhg Martyn (0-6 three two-pointers); Francis Marry, Jim Marry; James Grogan (0-1), Matthew Tully, Ethan Harding; Senan Duffy (1-6), Alan Harding (0-6 two frees, two two-pointers), Podge McGowan (0-3 one two-pointer). Subs – Eoin Feeley for McGowan half time, Eanna Mooney (1-0) for E Harding 55m, Oisín Mooney for Tully, Sean Murray for Grogan both 60m, Eoin Gibbs for F Marry 62m.

Moylagh: Packie Kevin; Sean Peyton, Ciarán Burke, Nathan Gibney; Shane Gibney (0-1 ’45’), Sean Guirke, Darren Gibney (0-2 two-pointer); Joe Melia, Sean Reilly (0-5 two frees, one two-point free); Darragh Tuite (0-2 two-pointer), Jamie McGee, Feargal Flynn; Matthew Corrigan, Eanna Brody (1-0), Cillian Fanning.Subs - Mark Gibney for Corrigan 29m, Rory Gibney (0-1) for Fanning 47m, Thomas O’Reilly for McGee 50m.

Referee: Adrian Corcoran (Drumbaragh).