AFL4: Cortown go straight back up
June 15, 2017
Cortown's David Rispin
Cortown 0-20 Moynalty 1-12
Cortown made it an incredible 9 wins from as many games in this year's league and in doing so sealed promotion straight back to Division 3 ensuring a league final spot in the process with a hard-fought win over a dogged Moynalty outfit on Wednesday night in Cortown.
Both sides came into this contest with equal potential but differing form and confidence as of late. Cortown have been flying in the league and have an opening round victory in the championship to their name. On the other hand, Moynalty have had a mixed league campaign and have found the Junior A tough going despite glimpses of their undoubted ability.
Moynalty fielded an almost identical team that were defeated by Meath Hill in the championship on Sunday evening in Kilmainhamwood whilst Cortown chopped and changed with several players unavailable for different reasons.
Moynalty got the scoring underway and were eager to get a good score on the board for the first half with the strong wind advantage. Cortown pegged them back almost immediately though with Ryan O'Rourke curling over an early free. The home side took the lead through Colm Kerrigan.
It was very much nip and tuck and blow for blow throughout the half and Meath Junior star Paul Lynch restored parity with a fine effort. Moynalty regained the lead when Paddy Byrne pointed well on the run. Davy Rispin once again drew the sides level. There was nothing easy however and Moynalty were playing high intensity stuff and tagged on another couple of scores before Rispin stemmed the tide with a curling effort after good set up play from the evergreen Glen Loughran. Loughrans influence was gradually growing and he opened his account for the evening with a swirling effort.
Lynch once again nosed the visitors in front before Smith slotted over. A rapid quick freekick between Rispin and Loughran resulted in the latter riffling over to leave a solitary point between the sides at the interval with Moynalty leading by 0-8 to 0-7.
Cortown didn't look back and hit what has become a vintage second half gear with half time substitute Kevin McGuiness giving the hosts the lead for the first time with cooly controlled effort. Lynch kept Moynalty in touch with a point before Loughran tapped over a routine free after Smith had been dragged down.
At this point Cortown were in control all over the field with Conor Gleeson making an instant impact from the bench when he chipped over after collecting from Loughran.
Just as it seemed Cortown were cruising to a routine win Moynalty had one last sting in the tail. Who else but Lynch who found the top corner of McFadden's net with a splendid finish but Cortown finished well to take the points.
Cortown: John McFadden, David Coyne, Barry Canning, Paddy Kerrigan, Declan Clarke, Daragh O'Halloran, Ivor O'Halloran, Brían Smith (0-2), Richie Flanagan, Colm Kerrigan (0-1), Glen Loughran (0-4,2fs), Brian Faulkner, Davy Rispin (0-5), Anthony Boyle, Ryan O'Rourke (0-5,2fs). Subs: Davy Wright for Faulkner, Kevin McGuiness (0-2) for Boyle, Conor Gleeson (0-1) for Wright.
Referee: Patrick Foy (Athboy)
Moynalty Report
Moynalty 1-12 Cortown 0-20
It was a most interesting game in the Division 4 A League in Cortown on Wednesday evening between Moynalty and Cortown, as the home side ended up winners and assured themselves of promotion.
The game opened with a Christy Cahill point for Moynalty this was replied to by Cortown with two points. Moynalty continued with a Jamie Maloney point and one from Paddy Byrne. Cortown replied to with two more points. Moynalty hit three more points in a row two from Paul Lynch and one from Carl Lynch. Cortown scored two more points to which Paul Lynch came back with a point, to where Cortown leveled the game on 7 points each with a point. Christy Cahill sent the reds ahead again with a point lead. to leave half time score Moynalty 0-08, Cortown 0-07.
Cortown opened the scoring in the second half with three points to go two points ahead. Paddy Byrne got one back for Moynalty the home side scored their eleventh point to go two points ahead again. Paul Lynch scored again to leave Moynalty 0-10, Cortown 0-11. Cortown went another point ahead where Anthony Nevin brought it back again to Moynalty 011, Cortown 0-12. Here Cortown took the game in hand and scored five points on the trot, Moynalty 0-11, Cortown 0-17. Paul Lynch scored a great Moynalty goal. Moynalty 1-11, Cortown 0-17. Cortown scored another point, and Carl Lynch scored Moynalty's last point, to which Cortown scored two late points to end the game played in good spirits. Final score Moynalty 1-12, Cortown 0-20.
Moynalty scorers: Paul Lynch 1-04, Christy Cahill 0-02, Paddy Byrne 0-02, Carl Lynch 0-02, Jamie Maloney 0-01, Anthony Nevin 0-01.
Moynalty - Jonathan Lynch, James Nevin, Nicholas Mc Kenna, Ronan Lynch, Adrian Maguire, Paddy Byrne, James Cassidy, Anthony Nevin, Raymond Owens, Pauric O' Connor, Paul Lynch, Jamie Maloney, Carl Lynch, Ollie Sheridan, Christy Cahill. Subs - Michael Lynch For James Nevin, Andrew Lynch For Ronan Lynch, David Mc Mahon For Ollie Sheridan, Matthew Mc Kenna For Adrian Maguire.
