Mullinavat 1-11
Mooncoin 0-12

The Southern Junior B title was decided in Piltown on Saturday afternoon. Those who headed for Croke Park early to enjoy the All Ireland festivities missed out on a classic encounter full of skill and commitment.
The early start didn’t seem to faze either side as both were quickly into their stride. It was Mullinavat who made the early running with Brian Keneally especially accurate from placed balls. He shot four of the five first half points from frees with midfielder Eoin Maher chipping with a score from play. Mooncoin were able to get much of their scores from play with only a single Patrick Kinsella placed ball forming part of the four first half scores. Kevin Law, Michael Grace and Alan Walsh registered the other points as Mullinanvat held a slender lead at the break. Half Time: Mullinavat 0-5 Mooncoin 0-4.

The Suirsiders opened the new half brightly thanks to points from the aforementioned Grace and Dick Howley to lead by a single point. A long delivery from a Damien Conway free landed around the square and Kenneally was first to react to raise a green flag. This would prove to be the vital score of the game. Mooncoin never gave in and points from two Patrick Kinsella frees reduced the deficit to the bare minimum again. However the Vat upped the anti thanks to points from Conway and Kenneally stretched the lead further. The sides traded points towards the end but the Rod Iron men advanced to the county final. The victors had eye-catching performances throughout the field, with team captain J.P. Dungan and Derek Alyward strong in defence. Eoin Maher contributed enormously at midfield while Damien Alyward, Jim Holden and Brian Kennealy were always threatening in attack. The losers had good performances from Liam Hennebry, Alan Walsh and Kevin Law in a contest that was in doubt right until the end.