Turning corners
November 30, 2006
Moynalvey is certainly on the way up. 2006 will be remembered as the season progress was made. Foundations for the coming years were cemented as the stars of the future won three underage titles. The MFL division 3 crown, U-12 division 3 south and the U-14 division 4 FL were captured in a successful period.
Club secretary Pat Gilsenan knows how much these victories mean to the parish and has welcomed the recent investments in the underage structure within the club. "The club decided to put a lot of time, effort and money into the underage structure over the past two or three years. We decided to involve the parents more. This has paid off as it helps share the workload. We don't use buses anymore as there are enough parents to help out, so a lot of credit must go to them," explains Gilsenan.
"I thought we were going back at one stage but this shows signs of improvement. We realised you have to put half your resources into the underage. There's a good mood and commitment around the club now. With most players playing hurling as well, they are around each other at least three times a week so that's a definite help. The likes of Paul and Liam Harnan put serious time and effort in to the development of the underage structure and it's great to see them gain some reward from it," added Gilsenan.
The club secretary was pleased with all achievements throughout the year but singled out the minor team for their success. "The previous year we didn't have a minor team because we were part of an amalgamation so it's great to know that the talent is there and you can achieve it on your own."
On their way to the minor final Moynalvey impressively disposed the likes of Boardsmill and Bru Na Boinne. In the final they were up against a tough Ballivor side that they had previously drawn with in the round robin stage. The management team of Willie Byrne, TJ Walsh, David Durkan and Brian Conneely opted to play with the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half. This decision was rewarded as Moynalvey sprung from the traps and assumed control of the game. Ballivor's full back line was struggling to cope with the movement of TJ Lynch and Raymond Ryan as they quickly surged ahead. Points from James Weldon and Donal Smith were followed by three superb goals from Ryan and Simon Courtney to give the Moynalvey side a 12-point lead at half time. Ballivor had no answer for the excellent football played by their counterparts. Moynalvey moved the ball quickly and with a purpose.
The second half saw Ballivor launch their expected comeback but further points from Ryan and Weldon, and some resolute defending from Sean Weston, Phillip Garvey and Packie Heapes ensured Moynalvey held on for a well-deserved success. Moynalvey will be hopeful many of this team can progress to the senior side as they proved to be an athletic, skilful and dedicated side throughout the year. This was the club's first minor success since the early 1990's.
The Moynalvey minor team was: M Sullivan, P Heapes, J Duffy, P Garvey, S Weston, I Douglas, D Smith (0-1), W Mahady, S Courtney (1-2), J Weldon (0-4), A Donnelly, TJ Lynch, R Ryan (2-5) Subs: F Cunningham for TJ Lynch, M Munnelly for A Donnelly, C Donnelly for S Courtney, L Duffy, T Kane, P Kelly.
Success finally arrived for Moynalvey U-14s after three years of heartbreak. Boardsmill and Clonard beat the U-14 side in two previous finals. But this was to be their year. Their spirit and dedication was superb throughout the campaign. Manager Denis O'Shea started training in Dunshauglin at the start of February and his brilliant work, aided by Tony Brennnan, Tomas McCabe, Johnny Burke and Paul Harnan, was rewarded with a 17-point victory over Syddan in the final. What made this result so much more remarkeble, was that Moynalvey lost to Syddan in the group stages of the competition.
Moynalvey started the brightest in the final. They gained the iniative through wonderful moves that involved quick use of the ball and some neat handpassing. Scores were coming thick and fast, as Syddan had no answers for the excellent football played by Moynalvey. Points from Padraic Harnan, Tony Forde, Anthony Forde and a wonderful goal from Cillian O'Sullivan meant Moynalvey had a lead of 1-7 to O-1 at the break. Young O'Sullivan did not lick his talents off the ground as his father is Frank O'Sullivan, a Meath and Walterstown star from the late 70's, early 80's.
Syddan came out fighting in the second half but they struggled to break down a resolute defence that was led by skipper Tiernan Mahedy. Moynalvey's midfield pairing of William Harnan and Darren Brennan took control and provided their forward line with quality service. The attack continued where it left off as they added a further 1-4 in the second half. Moynalvey showed superb determination and skill in the final. From 1 to 15 they worked as a team and although Cillian O'Sullivan was the star of the show with 2-3 on the day, they showed up extremely well as a team. The final scoreline was Moynalvey 3-11 Syddan 0-3.
Moynalvey U-14 team: D Duffy, C Garvey, S Browne, C McCabe, T Mahedy, S Burke, S Egan (0-1), W Harnan, D Brennan, A Forde (0-2), T Forde (0-1), C O'Sullivan (2-3), J Kelly (0-1), S Dunleavy, P Harnan (0-3) Subs: R McGrail, C Egan, N Madden (1-0), C O'Malley.
Moynalvey had a week to remember as they followed up the success of the U-14's by capturing the U-12 divison three south league. Another final win emphasised the talent that is currently within the club. Quality football was on view once again as they opened up their oponents defence with some free flowing football and some expertly taken scores. Goals win games and that was certainly the case for this side.
They say that a good start is half the battle and Moynalvey showed us this by coasting into a four-point lead with a point from David McLoughlin and a goal from Cillian O'Sullivan within the first ten minutes. However Na Fianna proved no pushover's as they battled their way back into the match. It took some fantastic defending from Brian Harnan, John Hegarty and an excellent display of shot stopping by goalkeeper David Curran to restrict Na Fianna to five points at half time. Na Fianna struggled to curtail the talented O'Sullivan as he terrorised their defence kicking score after score. Darragh Branigan pointed at the end of the half to give Moynalvey a lead of 2-7 to 0-5 at the interval.
Na Fianna came out fighting in the second half but once again they struggled to contain the movement of their opponents. The defense was brilliant as Jack Lawless, Chris O'Malley and Fearghal McCabe shone in a unit that was disciplined and hard working. The midfiald pairing of Eamonn Walsh and captain Padraic Harnan came into their own in the second half as they won vital posession around the middle. Two goals in the second period from Eric Ryan and O'Sullivan killed of the game as a contest as Moynalvey where well on their way to victory. A final point from John-Francis Martin left the final scoreboard Moynalvey 4-09 Na Fianna 0-08.
Moynalvey U-12 team: D Curran, J Hegarty, C Egan, B Harnan, J Lawless, C O'Malley, F McCabe, P Harnan, E Walsh, D Branigan (0-1), JF Martin (0-1), R Mooney, C O'Sullivan (3-6), E Ryan (1-0), D McLoughlin (0-1) Subs: C Sheerin, J Munnelly, R Lawless.
There is no doubt that Moynalvey is a club on the rise. They have a great underage system at the moment, which involves each coach sticking to the same age every year. For example Denis O'Shea was manager for the U-14's this year and won't go on with that team. He will stay and coach the next batch of 13 and 14 year-olds coming through.
They feel this system works as kids are learning different ideas and methods of training each year. The boredom of one persons voice isn't there anymore. It's a system that's obviously working and hopefully it won't be too long before many of these juveniles will be togging out for the seniors. The future looks good for Moynalvey.
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