LGFA Jun FC semi final: Moynalvey's journey comes to an end

The Moynalvey squad that lost out to Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels in the JFC semi final

Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels Ladies (B) team got the better of Moynalvey by two points after extra time in this Kepak Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Semi-Final played at Kilmore Park Moynalvey on Saturday afternoon 19th September.

Moynalvey 1-13
Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels (B) 2-12

The strength of ladies football in Dunshaughlin was proven when less than twenty four hours after the Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels first team advanced to the Senior Final with a one point win in their semi-final, their second team joined their clubmates in a final advancing to the Junior Final with a two point win over Moynalvey in their semi-final.

Having being level at 1-10 apiece when referee Frank Hevey blew the full time whistle, Royal Gaels went on to outscore Moynalvey 1-2 to 0-3 in extra time to secure their place in this year’s final against neighbours Ratoath.

Putting their relegation troubles of the past two years behind them, ten minutes into the second half the Moynalvey girls would be forgiven in thinking they may be on their way to their third final in five years, but Royal Gaels had other ideas.

Royal Gaels opened the scoring in the fifth minute, with Moynalvey opening their account two minutes later through Louise Donoghue. Further Moynalvey points from Roisin Murphy and Aoife O’Shea left it 0-3 to 0-1 after twelve minutes.

Royal Gaels then hit a trio of unanswered points to take the lead for the first time, however their lead was short lived as Moynalvey intercepted a Royal Gaels pass at the back and Stephanie Walsh finished to the net soccer style, making it 1-3 to 0-4 after twenty five minutes.

Another Royal Gaels point narrowed the deficit to the minimum, 1-3 to 0-5, but Moynalvey rounded off the first half scoring with a point from Aoife O’Shea and the Murphy sisters combining with Clodagh setting up Roisin for her second of the afternoon to leave the half time score board read 1-5 to 0-5 in favour of the home side.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw Moynalvey outscore their opponents four points to one to open up a six point lead, 1-9 to 1-6. Moynalvey’s points coming from Olivia O’Halloran, Jennifer McLoughlin, Stephanie Walsh and an Aoife O’Shea free after Royal Gaels committed an infringement off the kickout.

Three unanswered points from Royal Gaels left Stephanie Walsh’s goal between the sides at the three quarter hour mark, 1-9 to 0-9. A Clodagh Murphy point broke the Royal Gaels momentum briefly and but for the post at one end denying Walsh a second goal and Aoibheann Corcoran making a fine smart save at the other end there would have been further green flags raised.

A green flag was raised in the 54th minute though when Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels were awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched past Aoibheann Corcoran to leave a point between the sides, 1-10 to 1-9, with six minutes remaining.

While Moynalvey tried their best to withstand the Royal Gaels pressure, the inevitable equalizing point came in the 62nd minute to bring the game to extra time, 1-10 apiece at full time.

Royal Gaels outscored Moynalvey 1-1 to 0-1 to lead 2-11 to 1-11 at half time in extra time and it finished 2-12 to 1-13 at full time in extra time for Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels (B) to take their place in the Kepak Junior ‘A’ football championship final.

Best for Moynalvey in this semi-final were Aoibheann Corcoran, Stephanie Walsh, Cheyenne O’Brien, Louise Donoghue, Jennifer Mcloughlin.

Moynalvey team and scorers: Aoibheann Corcoran, Mairead McCabe, Abbie Killalea, Fia O’Brien, Aoife Weston, Aideen Smith, Rachel Garrett, Cheyenne O’Brien, Olivia O’Halloran (0-1), Roisin Murphy (0-2), Louise Donoghue (0-1), Stephanie Walsh (1-1), Jennifer McLoughlin (0-3), Clodagh Murphy (0-1), Aoife O’Shea (0-4).

Subs: Lauren Killalea, Charlene Murray, Jennifer McLoughlin.