Gone in 90 seconds as Tara clinch victory in Regional FC opener

Lernihan shines despite defeat for Moyfenragh

Tara........................................................3-1-10 (21)

Moyfenragh..............................................1-4-8 (19)

As shop windows go, Tara's Ben Corkey and Moyfenragh's David Lernihan certainly put their names in the conversation for a Meath call-up as they impressed in the opening game of the Regional FC at Dunganny on Sunday.

Tara claimed the spoils as two goals in 90 seconds from John Finnerty and Corkery, which followed a two-point free from 'keeper Adam McDermott, turned a 1-8 to 1-11 deficit into a 3-10 to 1-11 lead early in the final quarter.

Moyfenragh's quest to get back into the game resulted in a significant increase in intensity as up to that point this low-tempo contest was more of a glorified trial game that the type of fare we might regularly see at club level.

There were a number of impressive performers with Corkery and Adam Quinn showing well in attack for Tara, while Ciaran McCarrick's runs from deep and Jared Rushe's clever game play also stood out.

Lernihan was the pick of the bunch for Moyfenragh, but Ben Moran and Sam Jordan can be pleased with the majority of their work, while Liam Jennings had an enterprising opening half before being forced off at the break.

The early stages were unimaginative and very low-key. There was a nonchalance about much of the play before Rushe opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a fisted point.

Lernihan replied with the first of his three two-pointers and after the impressive Sean Og Tiernan replied for Tara, Moyfenragh took control with five points on the spin from Jennings, Lernihan, Niall Smullen, Finn White and Ethan Devine giving them a 0-7 to 0-2 lead.

Corkery blasted over a goal chance to end Tara's 14 minute barren spell that included seven wides and after Jennings restored Moyfenragh's five-point lead Tara finished the half with a florish as Corkery pointed before a brace from Aaron Murphy, one free, closed the gap to 0-6 to 0-8 at ythe break.

Ethan Devine's goal from Smullen's clever flick stretched Moyfenragh's lead four minutes after the restart, but Tara upped the tempo and were rewarded with a pair of points from Quinn before Tiernan blasted a fine goal in response to a Brendan McKeon point to make it 1-8 to 1-9.

Lernihan's second two-pointer, with the outside of the left, put Moyfenragh back in control, but then Tara hit that purple patch that proved decisive.

Josh Harford's brilliant two-pointer settled Moyfenragh with nine minutes remaining, but Quinn (free) kept the south Meath side at arms length.

Another Lernihan two-pointer, the pick of the bunch, was followed by a Nicky Potterton score as Moyfenragh closed the gap to 1-16 to 3-11, but Corkery popped up with the insurance point to secure the win for Davy Nelson's charges.

Tara: Adam McDermott (Dunshaughlin 0-2 two-point free); Ciaran McCarrick (Dunshaughlin), Liam Kelly (Ratoath), Fursey Blake (Dunshaughlin); Cormac Smith (Clann na nGael), Jared Rushe (Dunshaughlin 0-1), John Finnerty (Skryne 1-0); Evan Coffey (Navan O'Mahonys), John O'Regan (Skryne); Shane Smyth (Skryne), Darragh Campion (Skryne), Sean Og Tiernan (Clann na nGaels 1-1); Ben Corkery (Clann na nGael 1-3), Adam Quinn (Walterstown 0-3 one free), Aaron Murphy (Dunshaughlin 0-2 one free). Subs: Joey Wallace (Ratoath) for Murphy 37m, Conor McEntee (Walterstown) for O'Regan 50m, Lorcan O'Connor (Walterstown) for Tiernan 61m.

Moyfenragh: Sean Muddiman (Summerhill); Dom Finnegan (Longwood), Ben Moran (Summerhill), Conor Ennis (Ballinabrackey); Sam Jordan (Na Fianna), Adam O'Brien (Ballinabrackey), Brendan McKeon (Ballivor 0-1); David Lernihan (Trim 0-7 three two-pointers), Ethan Devine (Na Fianna 1-1); Andy McWeeney (Kilbride), Niall Smullen (Ballinabrackey 0-1), Adam Murphy (Moynalvey); Finn White (Kilbride 0-1), Josh Harford (Kilbride 0-2 two-pointer), Liam Jennings (Blackhall Gaels 0-2). Subs: Luke Carolan (St Peter's) for Jennings, Michael Brady (Moynalvey) for Ennis, Nicky Potterton (Ballivor 0-1) for White all half-time, Jack Hayes (St Peter's) for O'Brien 43m, Daire Lynch (Trim) for Smullen 45m, Harry Hogan (Longwood) for McWeeney, Vinny Walsh (Moynalvey) for Devine both 50m, Smullen for Lernihan 62m.

Referee: Cormac Reilly (St Mary's).