Navan O’Mahony’s 5-10 Moynalty 3-09

A spot in the Prem Div 6 final was the prize on offer in Paddy O’Brien Park on Thursday evening and Navan O’Mahony’s earned it after a battle to the end with Moynalty. 

The visiors were quick off the mark, with a point within the first 20 seconds. A few minutes later, O’Mahony’s took the lead with a Paul Cunningham goal. This lead was short-lived, however, when Moynalty found the net at the astro-turf end.

Cunningham responded with another goal and this time, it was a point that Moynalty scored in response. The home side were yet to raise a white flag when Cunningham completed his hat-trick. Moments later, a high ball into the square hit the upright before being claimed by Shane Crosby who made no mistake in burying it. 

The gap of seven was soon reduced to four when Moynalty goaled at the opposite end of the pitch. The sides then exchanged points, with Cunningham converting a free. An impressive pass from Killian Clarke Doggett to Clayton O’Sullivan resulted in O’Mahony’s first point from play, before the latter pointed again with a free.

Navan O’Mahony’s 4-03 Moynalty 2-03

Ciaran McGuinness extended the lead with a good point fromplay two minutes into the second half. Moynalty then enjoyed their best patch of play, when they reduced the gap from seven to one within three minutes.

A point from a free was followed by a penalty, which was duly converted. Two points in quick succession from play meant the bare minimum separated the sides after six minutes. Cunningham extended the lead with a free before a dangerous play was blocked down by the impressive Conor McEvoy. 

The sides then exchanged points, two frees for Cunningham and Podge McEvoy and two Moynalty points. This left two points between the sides midway through the half. O’Sullivan and Ben Forde extended the lead with points before Moynalty clawed one back. 

Three points separated the teams in the closing stages, with clever play from Ian Matthews and Paul Quinn important in keeping the attack at bay. With three minutes remaining, Forde and Crosby combined with Cunningham to set up McEvoy for a goal to leave six in it. 

Danger was still posed by the Moynalty forwards and a Jake Patterson block proved important in preventing an attack. Thirty seconds later, McGuinness, bravely battling through cramp, cleared another ball to the sideline. Thomas Cully picked out O’Sullivan with a well-aimed pass for the insurance point and O’Mahony’s progress to play St Ultans in the final.

Navan O’Mahony’s: Brien Yourell, Thomas Cully, Jake Patterson, Adam Fagan, Padraig McEvoy (0-01), Clayton O’Sullivan (0-04), Conor McEvoy (1-0), Shane Crosby (1-0), Paul Quinn, Paul Cunningham (3-03), Ian Matthews, Ruairi Devlin, Ben Forde (0-01), Ciaran McGuinness (0-01), Killian Clarke Doggett

Riordan Russell for Devlin, Jack Lafford for Clarke Doggett, Andy Leech for Fagan

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