Moynalvey upset the form book when defeating one of the pre-championship favourites Simonstown Gaels in round one of the Fairyhouse Steel Meath Senior Football Championship on a 1-16 to 1-15 score line at Skryne on Sunday afternoon August 15th.

Moynalvey 1-16
Simonstown Gaels 1-15

Pitted in the group of death as described by many the underdog Moynalvey overturned favourites Simonstown Gaels in this championship opener by the minimum score.

Down a couple of injured players including influential county man Padraic Harnan, five points down at half time, Moynalvey completed a seven point turnaround to lead by two after the 3rd quarter, with another county player Cillian O’Sullivan leading the way with nine points.

Moynalvey drew first blood with corner forward David McLoughlin finding the back of Robbie Burlingham’s net in the 1st minute.

Eight minutes in the sides were level with three points from Simonstown’s Conor Sheridan (2) and Rory O’Connor.

Simonstown then took the lead for the first time with another Sheridan point, followed by a brilliant mark taken and converted by Rory O’Connor to leave it 1-4 to 1-2 at the first water break.

Mark O’Sullivan opened his account in the 18th minute, followed by two Simonstown points from Padraig McKeever the first from a mark and the second from play leaving it 1-6 to 1-3 with 21 minutes played.

Cillian O’Sullivan scored his second of the evening but three Simonstown points in a row left Moynalvey facing into a half time deficit of five points on a 1-9 to 1-4 score line.

Whatever the Moynalvey management said at half time had the desired effect as they outscored Simonstown Gaels 0-12 to 0-6 in the second half, with six of those eleven points coming unanswered in the opening nine minutes of the second half.

Top scorer Cillian O’Sullivan kick started that scoring spree with the opening point of the half from a free. That was followed by points from Mark O’Sullivan, David McLoughlin, David Reilly and another two by Cillian to put Moynalvey a point up, 1-10 to 1-9 with 39 minutes played.

Conor Sheridan hit his fourth point of the game in 40th minute to draw the sides level for a third time.

Mark O’Sullivan and Niall Kane traded points with Cillian O’Sullivan adding another free to leave the score board read 1-12 to 1-11 in favour of the men in and maroon and white at the 2nd half water break.

Another brace of Cillian O’Sullivan scores straight after the water break put Moynalvey three points up 1-14 to 1-11 with 52 minutes on the clock.

Rory O’Connor and Ciaran Harnan traded scores before another Simonstown free reduced the deficit to two points, 1-15 to 1-13 with 58 minutes played.

Simonstown resorted to a few high balls in to the Moynalvey danger area in a bid to claw their way back into the game, but to no avail.

While they did add another two points to their tally courtesy of Niall Kane and Padraig McKeever, it was that man Cillian O’Sullivan who tagged on a free for Moynalvey to leave them one point winners, 1-16 to 1-15 over Colm O’Rourke’s troops. 

A huge win in the opening round sets Moynalvey up for a second round tilt at last year’s runners up Gaeil Colmcille in round two.

Best for the winners in a brilliant team performance were Darren Brennan, Mark O’Sullivan, Ciaran Harnan, Adam Murphy, David McLoughlin and the excellent Cillian O’Sullivan and David Reilly.

Moynalvey: Chris O’Malley, Conor Harnan, Brian Harnan, Brian O'Reilly, Conor Shirren, Fearghal McCabe, Darren Brennan, Donal Smith, David Reilly (0-1), Cillian O’Sullivan (0-9, 5f), Mark O’Sullivan (0-3), Sean Duggan, Ciaran Harnan (0-1), Adam Murphy (0-1m), David McLoughlin (1-1, 1f).
Subs used: Cathal McCabe for F. McCabe, James Kelly for Duggan.  

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