St. Colmcilles three points win over Moynalvey in this Junior ‘B’ Championship Group C Final round game combined with St. Patricks’ win over Nobber ensured the sea sider’s advanced to the knockout stages of the competition at Moynalvey’s expense in this winner takes all encounter.

Moynalvey 2-12 St. Colmcilles 1-18

In a high scoring game it looked like St. Colmcilles were going to run away with proceedings early on as they had opened up a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes. On the quarter hour mark Darren Fay’s charges had drawn level with James O’Neill clocking up 1-2 in the space of three minutes, with James Weldon being the provider O’Neill’s goal having rounded his man on the end line to fist across goal for O’Neill to palm to the net, leaving it 1-3 apiece after 14 minutes.

The remainder of the half proved to be a close affair, with the Cilles’ taking a slender one point advantage to the dressing room, 1-10 to 2-6 at half time. The teams were level for a second time 1-5 apiece after 19 minutes, with Moynalvey’s brace coming from Shaun Deering and a James O’Neill free.

Cilles’ edged ahead once again in the 21^st minute, before three minutes later Moynalvey took the lead for the first time with wing back Matt Brennan excellently slotting to the net after a well worked move. At half time it was the East Meath outfit who had once again regained the lead outscoring Moynalvey 0-4 to 0-1 in the final five minutes of the half, leaving the score board reading 1-10 to 2-6 at the break.

Within twenty seconds of the restart St. Colmciles had doubled their advantage with another point, but Sean Duggan replied with a fisted point for Moynalvey to leave just a kick of a ball between the sides once again. Another Duggan point along with a James Weldon point in reply to Cilles’ points from Eoin Sweeney and John McKenna saw just the point remaining between the sides after 40 minutes, 1-13 to 2-9.

The first real daylight emerged between the sides as St. Colmcilles outscored Moynalvey 0-4 to 0-1 between the 42^nd and 50^th minutes, with Moynalvey’s point coming from James O’Neill. Moynalvey were unlucky not to goal for a third time in the 56^th minute when Shaun Dering’s shot at goal had beaten the ‘keeper only to be stopped on the line by a defender. St. Colmcilles were also unlucky no to add to their goal tally as a couple of their 2^nd half goal attempts were denied the woodwork.

A Shane McGann point and late free from James O’Neill free left three points between the sides at the full time whistle, meaning Moynalvey’s Junior B campaign for 2017 ends at the group stage with the win for St. Colmcilles qualifying them for a quarter final spot.

Moynalvey: Robbie Quinlan, Scott Tuite, Padraig Donoghue, David Kane, Matt Brennan (1-0), Darragh Branigan, Conor Shirren, Brian Conneely, Paul Conneely, Sean Duggan (0-2), James O’Neill (1-5, 3f), Shane McGann (0-1), Shaun Deering (0-2), James Weldon (0-2), Brian Regan.
Subs used: Robbie Kiernan for Donoghue, Peter Durnin for Regan, Luke Duffy for Shirren.