Moyne just lose out in making early exit

28.01.10 | Tuallmore C.C. 0-11 Moyne C.S. 1-7 | By Padraic O'Brien

After losing to the same opposition by a seven point margin (3-9 to 0-11) when the teams clashed in the north Leinster league decider back in November, Colaiste Choilm were really fired up to gain revenge against Moyne CS and the Tullamore outfit acheived that objective in advancing a stage further in the Leinster Colleges Senior 'B' Football Championship.

While it was a major improvement by the Offaly side as they emerged victorious by a solitary point in a close encounter at the Kinnegad grounds on Thursday last, Moyne were minus the services of the unavailable Declan Mimnagh (Dromard) and Niall Woods (Gortletteragh) from the previous meeting and their absence proved to be a serious blow.

After stepping down from the 'A' grade, hopes were high that Moyne would do well in the 'B' championship this season but a poor start led to their downfall at the first hurdle. Despite playing against the stiff wind in bitter cold conditions at the Westmeath venue, it was Colaiste Choilm who enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the first quarter of the contest.

Well struck points were fired over by Stephen Keogh and Jason Darby and Moyne had to wait until the 16th minute for their opening score through Brian Ellis. But the Tullamore team hit back immediately with another score from Keogh and almost snatched a goal when full-forward Jason Darby flicked the ball just wide of the post after connecting with a centre from Mark Hayes.

That was a very lucky escape for Moyne but they gradually got their act together and after Brian Ellis wasted a decent goal chance, wing back Barry McKeon surged forward to land a fine point in the 25th minute.

Two more scores followed from Sean McCabe (free) and the prominent McKeon to leave the north Longford school leading by 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.

That slender advantage was never going to be enough against the wind on the changeover and Colaiste Choilm appeared to be in a strong position when a glorious spell in the early stages of the second half yielded five points on the trot.

Shane Heffernan started the ball rolling and a further brace of scores quickly followed from corner-forward Mark Hayes before David Henry and Stephen Keogh increased the advantage to leave Moyne 0-8 to 0-4 adrift and looking in big trouble.

However, a point from a free converted by Kevin Bouchier in the 38th minute closed the gap and moments later Moyne were back on level terms when a terrific move involving Dylan Quinn, Eoin Keane and Gerard Percival created the opportunity for Sean McCabe to plant the ball in the corner of the net.

The rapid recovery continued with a point from Percival in the 40th minute and there was then an exchanges of scores between Keogh (free) and Kevin Bouchier, the latter landing a wonderful effort in the 47th minute to put Moyne back in front, 1-7 to 0-9.

However, they failed to register another score as Colasite Choilm regained the upper hand for the remainder of the game and after Martin Halloran fired over the equaliser a couple of good chances were squandered before Brian Norris kicked the winning point for the Tullamore outfit in the 56th minute.

Moyne were unable to force a draw in the face of stern resistance from the opposing defence and it was certainly a disappointing early exit from the Leinster 'B' Championship after winning the league title.

MOYNE C.S: Stephen Leddy (Gowna); Darren Reilly (Fr. Manning Gaels), Padraig Bannon (Gowna), Keith Masterson (Dromard); Anthony Kenny (Carrigallen), Dylan Quinn (Fr. Manning Gaels), Barry McKeon (Colmcille, 0-2); Diarmuid Cooney (Fr. Manning Gaels), Gerry Cadden (Gowna); Sean McCabe (Carrigallen, 1-1, point from free), Eoin Keane (Clonguish), Brian Ellis (Arva, 0-1); Conor O'Neill (Carrigallen), Kevin Bouchier (Arva, 0-2, one free), Gerard Percival (Carrigallen, 0-1).

COLAISTE CHOILM: Dean Molloy; Eoin Wyer, Daniel Mangan, Ciaran Sheridan; Darren Corcoran, Mark Hughes, Brian Corcoran; David Henry (0-1), Declan Hogan; Stephen Keogh (0-4, one free), Brian Norris (0-1), Shane Heffernan (0-1); Martin Halloran (0-1), Jason Darby (0-1), Mark Hayes (0-2).

SUB USED:- Ciaran McEvoy for J Darby (53 mins).

REFEREE: Seamus Rock (Kinnegad).

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