Moynalty 0-10, Kilmainhamwood 2-17

Moynalty’s championship ambitions are hanging by the thinnest of threads after a comprehensive 2-17 to 0-10 defeat to neighbours Kilmainhamwood in Round 2 of the JBFC at Drumconrath.

After a year that had promised so much, Moynalty now face an uphill battle to reach the semi-final stages, with progression requiring almost a miracle. Their performance on the night was a far cry from what would have been expected of a side with serious championship ambitions. Listless and pedestrian for long periods, Moynalty struggled to match the pace and intensity of their neighbours.

It had started so promisingly for Moynalty. Paddy Byrne opened the scoring with an excellent two-pointer after just three minutes before adding another point a minute later. At that stage, Moynalty looked full of intent as the won the early exchanges. However, Kilmainhamwood slowly settled into the contest, and particularly Rian Stafford, whose strength, skill and awareness caused Moynalty serious problems. A free on six minutes and another point a minute later reduced the deficit before Byrne restored Moynalty’s advantage with another two-pointer on eight minutes.

From there, though, the game began to turn decisively in Kilmainhamwood’s favour. Kian Gillespie in midfield was winning vital ball, while Shane Burns and Killian Russell repeatedly raided through the heart of the Moynalty defence. The Wood added four unanswered points between the 13th and 19th minutes before finding the net on 20 minutes. Another point followed on 24 minutes as Kilmainhamwood took control of the contest.

Bryan McCormack finally stemmed the flow with a Moynalty point on 27 minutes, but Kilmainhamwood responded with another score on the half-hour mark. Substitute David Daly added Moynalty’s seventh point on 32 minutes, leaving the sides separated by four at the interval.

Half-time: Moynalty 0-07, Kilmainhamwood 1-08.

Moynalty needed a strong opening to the second half but instead found themselves further behind. Paddy Byrne and first-half substitute Ollie Sheridan registered early points, but Stafford and Kilmainhamwood responded with a two-pointer on four minutes and another on nine minutes to cement their lead.

The Wood continued to defend resolutely and broke up numerous Moynalty attacks involving Paddy Byrne, Pauric O’Connor and David Daly. Time and again, Kilmainhamwood turned over possession and transitioned quickly, with their attacks either ending in scores or forcing Moynalty into wides and errors. Paul Lynch added Moynalty’s final score of the evening on 14 minutes, but from there Kilmainhamwood took complete command.

Three further points followed before the Wood struck for their second goal on 29 minutes. A further two-pointer three minutes later completed a hugely impressive performance from Kilmainhamwood, rounding off a fine display and securing their place in the semi-final with one round still to play. 

For Moynalty, however, some serious soul-searching is now required. A year that had promised so much is suddenly in danger of ending prematurely, and they face Drumconrath in the final round knowing that nothing less than a dramatic turnaround will keep their championship hopes alive.

Moynalty: Johnny Lynch, Joey Gilsenan, Richie Gilsenan, Jack Kavanagh, Odhran McMahon, Liam Brogan, Ronan Lynch, Paddy Byrne, Niall O Connor, Eoin Gilsenan, Seanie Curran, Sean McMahon, Bryan McCormack, Pauric O Connor, Paul Lynch, 

Scores: Paddy Byrne 0-06, Bryan McCormack 0-01, David Daly 0-01, Ollie Sheridan 0-01, Paul Lynch 0-01

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