Moynalty 2-7 Rathkenny 2-6

Moynalty advanced to their second U21FC final in two years after a hard fought encounter against Rathkenny. Due to all the flooded pitches around the county this semi-final was moved to Grangegodden grounds in Kells. Moynalty made it three wins from the last three Sundays and had to come from behind once again.

Rathkenny who were hot favourites to win this game got the first score of the match through Caolach Halligan. Paddy Farrelly continued where he left off last week with another lovely goal after being played through by Pauric O Connor. However for the rest of the half it was the Caolach Halligan show as he kicked some outrageous scores off his left boot. Moynalty owned the majority of possession but couldn't make any use of it. The Rathkenny defence led by Joe Gore and Stephen Crosbie didn't give the Moynalty forwards a sniff in the first half. A total of seven wides from open play and frees were missed in the first half. The blustery wind moving across the pitch made it very difficult for players to judge their kicks.

A counter attack from Rathkenny caught Moynalty on the hop and they worked in a goal of their own. The score was 1-3 to 1-0 after 20 minutes and it was really a case of Rathkenny taking their chances and Moynalty not. Halligan kicked two more great scores to extend the Raths lead. Carl Lynch got Moynalty's first point near the end of the half to give the lads a boost. Halligan had a free about 45 yards out near the sideline and giving his form he decided to go for a point. To Moynalty's horror the slippy ball ended up in the back of the net. The half time score was 2-5 to 1-1. It seemed Moynalty would have a mountain to climb.

Rathkenny started the second half strongly but had the same problem Moynalty had in the first half misjudging the wind and kicking plenty of wides. Carl Lynch was the go-to man in the forward line as he was always on show for the ball and linked up well with the runners coming up the field. Carl got his second point of the day which was followed shortly after by a Pauric O Connor point. Moynalty kept winning the kick outs due to the fact that Raymond Owens and Anthony Nevin were lording midfield. A great passage of play gave Carl Lynch an attempt at goal which was flicked to the net by the opportunist Paddy Farrelly. Out of nowhere it was a two point game and Rathkenny were really crumbling.

The Raths managed to get themselves a free kick 14 yards out from the goals and unbelievably kicked it wide. Jack Gore managed to get a much needed score after this to make it a 2-6 to 2-3 score line with 10 minutes to play. Substitute Cathal Reilly made a trademark run through the oppositions defence but blazed the ball over the bar when a goal was really on. Ronan Lynch ran himself into the ground and was replaced by Andrew Lynch. Carl got his third point of the day and in a tense finish it was a one point game. Anthon Nevin had the responsibility of kicking a 25 yard free to equalise the game and he duly obliged as he nailed it between the posts.

James Cassidy and joint captains Ronan Mc Mahon and Nicholas Mc Kenna were brilliant throughout the game and it was there move which started in their own half of the field that ended up in Andrew Lynch's arms. Andrew without thinking notched over the point to give Moynalty the winner. Rathkenny had one more chance to equalise through a long range free but it was to no avail.

This was a historic victory for Moynalty. The management used their squad to great effect with every player contributing significantly. Awaiting Moynalty in the final is a very strong St Ultans team.

Moynalty scorers: Patrick Farrelly 2-0, Carl Lynch 0-3 points, Pauric O Connor 0-1, Cathal Reilly 0-1, Anthony Nevin 0-1 (free) and Andrew Lynch 0-1.

Moynalty Team: Jonathan Lynch, Ronan Lynch, Nicholas Mc Kenna, James Cassidy, Ronan Mc Mahon, Eoghan Allen, Anthony Nevin, Raymond Owens, Jamie Moloney, Pauric O Connor, Adrian Maguire, Patrick Farrelly and Carl Lynch.
Subs: Cathal Reilly for Jamie Moloney, Andrew Lynch for Ronan Lynch, Fiachra Gallagher for Adrian Maguire, Kevin Doyle for Eoghan Allen, Kevin Maguire for James Cassidy (black card)

Report by Paul Lynch

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