Kilmainham 1-18  Moynalty 2-15

Moynalty and Kilmainham played out a thrilling draw in Round 1 of the Junior B Football Championship on Friday evening at Grangegodden, in front of a huge crowd. A game many had earmarked as the match of the weekend certainly lived up to expectations, as the near neighbours went into full championship mode for 60 minutes of exhilarating, high-tempo football.

Moynalty, who handed championship debuts to four youngsters, were slow out of the blocks as Kilmainham dominated the early possession. Kilmainham opened the scoring in the 2nd and 5th minutes as they quickly settled into the pace of the game. Paddy Byrne opened Moynalty's account shortly afterwards, before Moynalty, wearing their alternative navy colours, produced a superb move with quick hand passing to put Sean McMahon through to calmly finish the ball to the back of the Kilmainham net.

Ronan Lynch then hit a two-pointer and Podge O'Connor added a further score to give Moynalty a commanding lead. Again, Moynalty raided down the left side, stretching their opponents with quick ball, and this time Paddy Byrne was put through to finish another well-worked goal. Kilmainham's Dylan Morgan closed the gap with a point before Bryan McCormack pointed in the 19th minute.

Kilmainham then hit a purple patch. Moynalty lost Niall O'Connor through injury, giving Kilmainham a platform in midfield to win possession. They responded with two, two-pointers and three further unanswered points. Paddy Byrne closed the scoring just before half-time to give Moynalty a two-point lead.

Half-Time: Kilmainham 0-11, Moynalty 2-07

Eoin Gilsenan was introduced at half-time for Ollie Sheridan and immediately gave Moynalty an extra bit of life in attack. Paul Lynch added another point and, at this stage, the game was simmering nicely, with both sides breaking up each other's attacks and forcing one another into over-carrying.

The speed of the game never dropped as both teams worked tirelessly to gain the upper hand.

Kilmainham's Michael Hoey struck another two-pointer, with Paul Lynch responding with one of his own. Paddy Byrne then added another score and it looked as though Moynalty might be starting to turn the screw on their opponents. However, Kilmainham, inspired by the brilliant Michael Newman, began to dominate the Moynalty kick-out. They kicked four unanswered points to reduce the deficit to the minimum.

Paddy Byrne restored Moynalty's two-point advantage, but Kilmainham refused to give up. They continued to battle for every ball and, in dramatic fashion, a hopeful ball was sent forward. It fell kindly to a Kilmainham forward, slipped under Johnny Lynch and dribbled across the line. Kilmainham had the lead for the first time since the fifth minute.

For many in the crowd, it looked as though Kilmainham had done enough. But Moynalty upped the intensity even further and they pushed forward competing for everything and worked themselves into the ground in their pursuit of possession.

Kian Lynch then forced one of the Kilmainham defenders out wide and pressured his opponent into overcarry. The resulting free was calmly slotted over by Paddy Byrne just as the full-time whistle sounded. A dramatic finish to an absorbing contest, and in truth, a draw was probably the fairest result. both Moynalty and Kilmainham walked away with a valuable championship point from a memorable opening-round encounter.

Moynalty scorers: Paddy Byrne 1-7, Paul Lynch 0-3, Sean McMahon 1-00, Bryan McCormack 0-02, Ronan Lynch 0-02, Podge O Connor 0-01

Moynalty: Johnny Lynch, Joey Gilsenan, Richie Gilsenan, Jack Kavanagh, Odhran McMahon, Liam Brogan, Ronan Lynch, David Daly, Niall O Connor, Ollie Sheridan, Paddy Byrne, Sean McMahon, Bryan McCormack, Podge O Connor, Paul Lynch. 

Subs used: Eoin Gilesenan, Kian Lynch & John Brogan. 

 

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