With both teams showing indifferent form in the opening two rounds of the championship, the two points on offer in Walterstown on a wet Sunday evening were crucial to keep hopes of qualification alive.
St Patricks 1-18 Moynalvey 2-8
With only the minimum between the sides after 42 minutes, St. Pats reeled off six unanswered points to secure victory in what was a very competitive game, played at a high tempo throughout.
St. Pats enjoyed complete dominance around the middle third in the early stages and this gave them the platform to race into four point lead after only five minutes played. These scores came courtesy of Niall Whearty, Niall O' Flaherty (free), Daithi Whyte and a bizarre 'own point' when an attempted clearance from goalkeeper Ray Ryan rebounded off corner back Cathal McCabe.
Despite St. Pats' early control around the middle, Moynalvey gradually gained a foothold and were much more economical than their opponents up front. James Kelly and Fergal McCabe pointed in quick succession to steady the ship. This was followed soon after by a Mark O' Sullivan goal following a strong run through the centre of the St. Pats defence from Padraic Harnan. Harnan's handpass slid along the greasy surface to find O' Sullivan who cooly finished to the net. Further points from O' Sullivan and Daniel Treacy left Moynalvey 1-4 to 0-4 after seventeen minutes.
St. Pats squandered some gilt edged opportunities in this period, the best of which a goal chance which fell to David McQuillan who miscued from six yards out.
St. Pats, however, controlled the remainder of the half adding five unanswered points, the pick of the bunch was a Neil O' Flaherty point which resulted from some fantastic battling from the St. Pats forwards to turn the ball over. Donal Landy, showing great vision, picked out O'Flaherty who curled over from a tight angle.
Moynalvey would have happily accepted a two point deficit going in at half time but with the final play of the half, Niall Whearty floated a free to the back post to pick out Niall Mooney who fielded above his man. Mooney stepped inside and finished low to the near post to give the Stamullen men a well-deserved five point lead at half time on a scoreline of 1-9 to 1-4.
This might have been the killer blow for Moynalvey but, to their credit, they responded admirably and began the second half brightly, adding a point from Padraic Harnan in the opening seconds. Harnan added to his tally minutes later with a goal to bring Moynalvey right back into the fray.
The sides then traded points and after 42 minutes played there was just the minimum between the teams, St. Pats 1-11, Moynalvey 2-7.
St. Pats regained control and enjoyed a good spell which saw them kill off the game scoring six points without reply between the 44th and 55th minute, the points coming from Niall Mooney (3), Neil O' Flaherty (2 (1f)) and substitute Shane Landy.
Moynalvey searched for goals to narrow the gap, and came close twice in the closing minutes. Mark O' Sullivan had his effort saved by Pats keeper Seamus O' Byrne while Fergal McCabe blasted over with a goal attempt. Shane Landy rounded off the St. Pats tally with a pointed free.
St Patricks: Seamus O' Byrne, Shane McGinty, Diarmaid Quinn, David McQuillan, Andrew Mooney, Darren Hagan (0-1), Barry Mooney, Shane Dowling, Kieran Lynch, Niall Mooney (1-3), Donal Landy (0-1), David Stafford, Niall Whearty (0-2 (1f)), Daithi Whyte (0-1), Neil O' Flaherty (0-7 (3f)). Subs used: Keith Whearty for Shane McGinty (41 mins), Shane Landy (0-2 (1f)) for Niall Whearty (48 mins).
Moynalvey: Ray Ryan, Cathal McCabe, Paul Weldon, Brian Harnan, Anthony Forde (0-1), Darren Brennan, David Donoghue, Padraic Harnan (1-1), Stephen Donoghue, Fergal McCabe (0-2), Daniel Treacy (0-1), David Reilly, Shane Lenehan, Mark O' Sullivan (1-1), James Kelly (0-1). Subs used: James Weldon (0-1) for Shane Lenehan (36 mins), David McLoughlin for Daniel Treacy (53 mins).
Match Report taken from Hoganstand.com
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