Conahy Shamrocks 0-9
Mooncoin 0-3

The perfect weather conditions and warm spring sunshine should have made for an entertaining league final in Benettsbridge. However both teams squandered plenty of chances in a game littered with mistakes. The scoreline indicates that the majority of these were on the Mooncoin side and their inability to convert the few chances which came their way only compounded matters.

Conahy had first use of the breeze and were playing an enterprising brand of football by working the ball into scoring areas before having a shot at the target. This ploy was successful up to the final execution which at times left a lot to be desired. Alan Healy managed to get an early point from play before Brian Murphy added a point from a free. Conahy were still dominant in the half back line and while Mooncoin tried hard they were unable to provide a plentiful supply of ball to allow their forwards register scores.

It took Conahy a further 8 minutes to register another score thanks to Eoin Byrne. They rolled off three more thanks to Brian Murphy, Conor Brennan and Byrne again to leave the half time score 0-6 (C) 0-0 (M).
The strong breeze didn’t appear to be much help to Mooncoin as Conahy added early points from Brian Murphy (f) and Alan Healy to stretch the lead still further. The game became more physical at this stage with several fracas none of them worth talking about.

The losers managed to wake themselves from their slumber and scored their first point in the 50th minute thanks to Paddy Kinsella. Barry Purcell added another as suddenly a fight back looked on the cards. However a late score from Alan Healy secured victory for Conahy despite David O’Brien’s shot being deflected over the bar for Mooncoin at the final whistle.

The victors were worthy of the spoils as they were the sharper team throughout being first to the breaking ball and always managing to pick out a colleague in space. They had good performances from Tomas Nolan, Brian Healy and Canice Brennan in defence while the midfield pairing of Conor Brennan and Paul Buggy were effective if not dominant. The attack had a cutting edge with the pace of Alan Healy and Gavin Nolan causing problems while Brian Murphy and Eoin Byrne managed to bring the shooting boots and they converted some fine scores.

This was a disappointing show from the Suirsiders, who had put in a good effort throughout the campaign and to fall flat on the big day was a major disappointment. In a poor all-round performance, Sean Wall and Alan Hennebry were best in defence Eoin Hennebry tried hard at midfield while in attack Thomas O’Hanlon and Barry Purcell looked threatening when given possession.
P.S.: Mooncoin midfielder Ray Wall sustained a serious injury during the first half of this game which required an ambulance to be called to the scene. Ray was taken to hospital for further examinations of the injury and everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.

Scorers:
Conahy: B. Murphy (0-3 2f); A. Healy (0-3 1f); E. Byrne (0-2 1f); Conor Brennan (0-1)
Mooncoin: B. Purcell & P. Kinsella (0-1); D. O’Brien (0-1f)

Teams
Conahy: C. Muldowney; P. Dollard; S. Og Brennan; T. Nolan; B. Healy; Canice Brennan; D. Kelly; Conor Brennan; P. Buggy; A. Healy; D. Buggy; G. Nolan; P. Nolan; B. Murphy; E. Byrne.
Subs: T. Fahy; P. Harding; M. Bergin;
Mooncoin: J. Kearns; S. Wall; L. Walsh; A. Hennebry; J. Phelan; E. Mackey; G. Kirwin; E. Hennebry; R. Wall; K. Kirwin; J. McGrath; N. Mackey; D. O’Brien; B. Purcell;
T. O’Hanlon
Subs: P. Kinsella; D. Howley; D. Cody; P.J. Rowe; D. Comerford.

Referee: G.O'Grady