Moylagh and Carnaross played out an entertaining draw at a wind-swept Milbrook in the first round of the Junior Championship.

This is the 3rd year in a row that Carnaross have failed to win their first round encounter. Twice in the last 5 minutes Moylagh pointed to regain parity after racing into an early lead. Both teams had chances to steal it at the death but a draw ended up being a fair result.

Moylagh played with the elements in the opening period and completely dominated proceedings for the first 15 minutes. Seán Reilly burst through the rear-guard to drive the ball into the net and stun the Carnaross defence. They tagged on two more points and added a further goal when the ball fell kindly to their half forward leaving it 2-2 to no score after 7 minutes. Carnaross eventually regained their composure after Moylagh's initial onslaught with Liam Day finishing off a well worked move that began in the full back line.  Carnaross began to establish a foothold as Moylagh's frantic pace couldn't be maintained. Two more points in as many minutes from the in-form championship debutant Day reignited the Carnaross challenge. Frank O'Reilly converted a free but the Dromone men finished the half the stronger by utilising the wind to good effect adding a further two efforts from play. At half time, the scoreboard read 2-4 to 0-4 points with Moylagh full value for their lead. Carnaross had been caught off-guard by a hungrier and more aggressive opponent but still fancied themselves to overturn the deficit in the second half with the aid of the gale force wind.

In the second half, the tireless Frank O'Reilly began proceedings by converting another free from distance but a combination of wayward shooting by Carnaross and astute time wasting tactics from Moylagh ensured the margin remained at 5 points. Moylagh pointed against the run of play and Cian Gillic responded by curling over a fine effort, much to the delight of the travelling Carnaross contingent. Moylagh converted a free to keep the maroon and saffron men at bay momentarily. Eventually Carnaross' dominance began to show on the scoreboard as O'Reilly converted another free before Niall McDonnell went on a mazy run bouncing off opponents before rifling a shot beyond the hapless Moylagh keeper. Carnaross lost full back Thomas Nugent to a straight red card but they continued to take the game to their Junior counterparts. Frank continued the comeback with another well taken free as Moylagh resorted to fouling to disrupt momentum. Shane Casserly drew the sides level before McDonnell put Carnaross in front for the first time which brought a rapturous cheer from the crowd. Moylagh weren't finished yet and they roused themselves from the dead to restore parity once more. With 62 minutes on the clock Frank O'Reilly drove at the Moylagh defence and launched over a monster effort only to be cancelled out by a quick Moylagh reply. Both teams spurned chances to win the game but ultimately the points were shared.

Moylagh's guise and experience was telling on the day as they carved out a result by ambushing Carnaross in the first half racing into an 8 point lead with pure intensity and desire. This was backed up in the second half by cleverly disrupting play with the physio being called on 7 different occasions. Carnaross spent the majority of the match chasing their opponents and that devastating opening 7 minutes from Moylagh came back to haunt them. Carnaross however had more than enough chances to win the game and kicking 10 wides in the second half with the wind is inexcusable. The main positive on the day was the way in which the youth in the side lead the charge with Liam Day, Sam Reynolds and John Brogan making their first of many Championship appearances for the club.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Cian O Reilly, Thomas Nugent, Ian Donoghue; Sam Reynolds, Tomás Plunkett, Cian Gillic (0-1); Dermot McGee, Cillian Comaskey; Niall McDonnell (1-1), Frank O'Reilly (0-5,0-4fs), Cormac O'Reilly; Liam Day (0-3, 0-1f), Michael Brogan, Stephen Flattery; Subs: Shane Casserly (0-1) for Stephen Flattery; John Brogan for Cormac O'Reilly;

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