Moyne Templetuohy     5-03

Moneygall                          2-04

By Mark Dunne PRO

A sunny Templetuohy was the setting when Moyne Templetuohy saw of the challenge of Moneygall to advance to this year’s County U12B Football Final. A fantastic team performance saw them come from one behind at the break to win by eight.

It was to be the visitors who would start this game at pace. With only three minutes on the clock, Moyne Templetuohy sought the brave work of their goalkeeper Cormac Kiely to keep Moneygall out. Cathal Guilfoyle who was all over the field this evening, then decided to test the Moneygall defence, a darting run through their defence saw Cathal narrowly shoot wide. Moneygall worked hard though and they were eventually rewarded with a close range free to stretch their lead to two. With their tails up Moneygall attacked again, Liam Ryan and Danny Moore doing their upmost to keep them at bay but a mistake in the defence saw referee Ger Fitzpatrick award Moneygall a penalty which was neatly dispatched to the roof of the net, 1-02 to no score with only 8 minutes played. However this did not deter the Moyne Templetuohy spirit. Helen Cleere, David Doyle and Stephen Shaw worked tirelessly to supply ball to the forwards. There work was eventually rewarded when Diarmuid Campion using some of his soccer skills finished the ball to the roof of the net. Moyne Templetuohy now began to take control, Helen Cleere and Martin Cleere worked ferociously to supply quality ball and once again their efforts were rewarded when Diarmuid Campion pointed from close range to narrow the gap to one with half time almost upon us. They were still time though for some more action as David Doyle found himself hauled to the ground inside the  large rectangle. Penalty awarded, Diarmuid Campion stepped up only to be denied by the Moneygall goalkeeper. Half Time and the score read Moyne Templetuohy 1-01 Moneygall 1-02.

As per County Board regulations both teams made changes at the break.  It was to be once again the visitors who started strongest. A quickly taken free, saw them point to push the gap to two. Jake Bowe worked tirelessly all night and seven minutes into the second half, a low cross from Jake found its way to substitute Bill Brolan, who finished to the net. Game on. Moneygall responded instantly with a point levelling the game for the first time. Once again Moyne Templetuohy called on the assistance of their goalie Cormac Kiely who made a terrific save, with the assistance of Danny Moore at a vital stage of the contest. The resultant 45 was taken short and Moneygall found the back of the Moyne Templetuohy net. Cathal Guilfoyle with the assistance of Aaron McLoughlin pointed from 30 metres out to narrow the gap to two. Moments later Cathal Guilfoyle linked with Diarmuid Campion who made amends for his earlier penalty miss to extend their lead. Diarmuid was not finished yet and this time linked with Bill Brolan to extend the lead to 4-02 to 2-04 with three minutes remaining. Substitute Mark Fox worked hard and set up Diarmuid Campion for Moyne Templetuohys 3rd point of the game. With time almost up substitute Martin Cleere was next to raise a green flag when a high ball in from Bill Brolan found its way to the back of the net, thanks to the fingers of Cleere. The full time whistle sounded shortly afterwards to scenes of jubilation as they now qualify for the County Final. Final score read Moyne Templetuohy 5-03 Moneygall 2-04.

A tremendous team effort with all fifteen players adding something to this fantastic win. Liam Ryan, Diarmuid Campion, Cathal Guilfoyle and David Doyle shone but this was quite obvious a team victory. Their attention now turns to the County Final which will takes place on Monday night next in Boherlahan at 7pm where they will take on Ballylooby Castlegrace. We wish both players and management all the best.

Team: Cormac Kiely, Danny Moore, Liam Ryan, Stephen Shaw, Aaron McLoughlin, Helen Cleere, Jake Bowe, Cathal Guilfoyle, David Doyle, Martin Cleere, Diarmuid Campion, Bill Brolan, Mark Fox