St Mary’s 0-06 Moynalty 0-08

A big day for the parish, the first Adult Men’s Semi Final in 11 years, a young team who have gone unbeaten in this year’s championship, a team who had turned their fortunes around dramatically from last year’s championship. Nobody gave our lads a chance heading into this game against Championship favourites Moynalty. Many of our lads felt insulted by some of the pre match commentary this week, could they harness this anger into motivation, as if any was required?

Well harness it they did, St Marys won the throw up and they went at Moynalty with gusto, physically dominating a frankly shocked Moynalty. We were winning practically all the 50/50 challenges, gaining turnover all around the pitch. This young written off team torn up the script. Marys deservedly took the lead when Sam Victory fired over decisively from 30 metres. Moynalty finally realised they were in a game and got in on the scoring themselves with a pointed free and then took the lead with a point from play. Marys drew level when James Lynch claimed a superb mark and converted, the impressive Ben Loughran then pointed excellently from play. Moynalty did kick wides during this period, however this was down to serious St Mary’s pressure. A pointed free levelled matters for Moynalty before Cormac Victory converted a free to put St Mary’s one up. Moynalty were then reduced to 14 when the referee issued a black card for a trip. St Marys will feel they could have gotten more from their numerical advantage and had many attacks that failed to produce scoring opportunities. Credit to Moynalty who’s experience helped them keep the ball and eat into the 10 minutes. The half time whistle was blown, St Marys by one, who’d have thought it?

Half Time: St Mary’s 0-04 Moynalty 0-03

During the half time break there was an air of energy and excitement among the St Mary’s crowd and on the contrary a sense of frustration and surprise among the Moynalty contingent. Could St Marys go on to record an historic victory or would come back and reach the final they had been pre-ordained to do.

The first score of the second half would be an important one and unfortunately it went the way of Moynalty, the sides were now level again. The game was ebbing and flowing at this stage and St Marys were still competing excellently and aggressive winning their fair share of primary and secondary possession. 2 converted frees from Moynalty put them two ahead. However St Marys were very much in this game, the possession was resulting in frees in the Moynalty half, however, were possibly just outside the range of Cormac Victory who had been excellent on frees throughout the championship. A fine point from play put Moynalty 3 up, soon after this the game could have been put beyond doubt only for a spectacular point blank save from St Mary’s goalkeeper Adam Byrne. The Boynesiders refused to go away, and Adam Craven stepped up with a monster point from 40 yards. This however cancelled out by a Moynalty free, their last score of the game. The gap was 3 again going into the last 5 minutes. Could St Marys find a way back into the game. On the stroke of full time they did pull one back when Tadhg Dixon pointed from play. St Marys continued to apply the pressure but to Moynalty’s credit they offered up few chances in the closing moments of the game. When the final whistle blew there was utter heartbreak from the Mary’s lads and little if any celebration from Moynalty, more relief, just happy to get through this unexpected test. Good luck to Moynalty in Saturday’s final.

Full Time St Mary’s 0-06 Moynalty 0-08

So, disappointment aside, this group of players and the management team of Nicky Gogan, Ken Brien, Lochlainn Hill and Brian Smith should be very proud of the progress they have made over the past 10 months. This progress has been hard earned, the team has trained incredibly hard since January and the management have left no stone unturned in the team’s preparation.

7 minutes into the first round of the championship when we found ourselves 4 points to no score down to Kilmainhamwood in Castletown the thought of pushing the Championship favourites to 2 points in the Championship Semi Final would have required a lamp and an obliging Genie. But this team has found something within themselves. 4 Championship matches this year, the first defeat was today, they have only conceded one goal and ended up with a score difference of +4. And although they will be disappointed that they didn’t pose more of scoring threat today but that can and will be worked on. We are now a tough team to beat, are frustrating and containing teams and demonstrate a physicality beyond their years. 

Thanks to the players and management for their commitment to the St Mary’s cause this year, it’s been a great year and there’s a sense that even better ones are coming.

St Mary’s: A. Byrne, L. Lynch, C.O Brien, J.  Spain, A. Craven (0-1), D. Bagnall , AJ Bradshaw, S. Victory (0-1), J. Greene, C. Victory (0-1f), T. Dixon (0-1), C. Sheridan, J. Lynch 0-1, S. Nulty. B. Loughran 0-1.

Subs: L. O’ Brien for T. Dixon, W. Mc Sweeney for S. Victory, M. Brien for J. Lynch, P. Waters, T. Lynch, R. Everard, G. Slevin, N. Floyd, E. Kelleher, D. Fanning, P. Owens, J. Lynch

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