JFC final: Moynalvey masters
September 29, 2008

A delighted Moynalvey captain Padraig Donoghue raises the Mathew Ginnity Cup
Moynalvey 0-16
Ratoath 0-7
Moynalvey atoned for defeat in last year's decider with a clearcut win over Ratoath in the Lynch's Pharmacy JFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
P. J. Cummins' men hit the ground with intent and within a minute of the off 17-year-old Mark O'Sullivan pointed them in front and they were never subsequently reeled in.
Within 14 minutes it was 0-5 to 0-0 and although Ratoath enjoyed plentiful possession they were unable to convert enough of it into hard currency and never managed to score from play over the hour.
With Damien Dixon, John and Stephen Donoghue providing a solid central pyramid Moynalvey dictated terms while Willie Byrne led the way in attack posting four points from play and was central to other scores.
The experienced Cathal Sheridan contributed handsomely to his first football championship medal at adult level with six points and a lot of craft and graft.
By the end six different Moynalvey players had registered from play while Ratoath - who were forced to start without with centre-forward Conor O'Brien and goalkeeper Richie Donnelly (both injured) - had only two scorers, Eoghan McMahon and Ger McCullagh.
Former Dublin 'keeper Davy Byrne did well to deny Willie Byrne a goal near the end but by then the Matthew Ginnity Cup was bound for Moynalvey.
Ratoath outscored Moynalvey by 0-6 to 0-4 between the 15th and 39th minute by which time they were just 0-6 to 0-9 in arrears. That was as good as it got for Martin Mannering's charges who on the day never looked like bouncing back to intermediate ranks at the first attempt.
Moynalvey reasserted themselves in the final third of the hour and made sure of their second JFC title and first since 1981 by outscoring Ratoath by 0-7 to 0-1 in the latter stages.
The outcome sees Moynalvey regain the IFC slot they vacated at the end of 2002 and with a sound underage structure in place are confident of making a mark at intermediate level in the coming years.
Moynalvey - O. Regan; R. Kiernan, P. Donoghue, D. Kane; P. Weldon (0-1), D. Dixon, A. Brien; S. Donoghue, J. Donoghue; D. Donoghue, C. Sheridan (0-6, 5 frees), R. Quinlan (0-2); B. Gilsenan, W. Byrne (0-4), M. O'Sullivan. Subs - S. Reilly for D. Donoghue (41 mins), C. Collins for Gilsenan (57 mins), P. J. Walsh (0-1) for Sheridan, D. Durkan for Brien (both 60 mins), J. Weldon for Quinlan (62 mins).
Ratoath - D. Byrne; C. Killian, T. McGuane, E. Horan; S. Brien, T. Garvey, B. Crowley; P. Kirwan, A. Hickey; E. McMahon (0-5, frees), G. Clarke, G. McCullagh (0-2, frees); F. Gaughan, M. Conmey, Colm O'Brien. Subs - P. Flaherty for Kirwan, R. Madden for Colm O'Brien (both half-time), S. McMahon for Conmey (40 mins), Conor O'Brien for Clarke (48 mins), M. Dorrigan for Gaughan (52 mins).
Referee - B. Darby (Ballinabrackey).
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