MOOREFIELD THROUGH IN A THRILLER

Moorefield............................. 0-16 St. Laurence’s .........................2-9 By EAMONN O’MOLLOY MOOREFIELD set up a huge clash with arch rivals Sarsfields when they edged past St. Laurence’s in a thriller that will live long in the memory. This Barlo SFC replay at Athy produced more drama than your average theatre company, with Michael Ryan cooly slotting the winner for Moorefield during a heart-stopping seven minutes of injury time. That point, from a free, came three minutes into injury time, but was only the start of the action as Laurence’s launched attack after last gasp attack and came agonisingly close to sending the match to extra time. Even before the injury time thrills and spills, we had been treated to a classic encounter. This game pitted the skillful and elusive Moorefield forwards against the sheer heart of Laurence’s; as in the first game, Moorefield raced into an early lead, but though at times outplayed, the Larries produced enough comebacks to make Houdini look clumsy. Though disappointment won’t come close to describing the South Kildare sides mood, having lost out for the second year running by a point, they nevertheless could hold their heads high leaving Geraldine Park. While they ponder defeat, Moorefield move on to to set an ambush for their illustrious neighbours. If they can reproduce the sparkling, fluent football that they have hinted at in these games, and do it for the full 60 minutes, then a glorious victory is a possibility. If, however, they repeat the errors that have allowed Laurence’s to come back at them for two games running, then they will find Brennan, Earley, Freaney and co. only too eager to punish them. They again flew out of the traps from the moment Tommy Howard threw in the ball yesterday, and in the first twenty minutes looked like world-beaters. The ball flowed from half-back line to full-forwards, and the men in green had more than a fair idea where the posts were. Pa Murray was in good form, slotting two 50s and a fine score from play to help move Moorefield 0-6 to 0-, with Michael Ryan, Sean White and Kenny Duane accounting for the others. Declan Gallagher responded with one at the far end, but points from Michael Ryan and Pa Murray increased the lead. It was then that we got the first evidence of what we already knew - the saints were not going to lie down and take a thrashing. In the minutes preceding half-time , Liam Miley hit two good points and Aaron Flood landed a cracker to haul Laurence’s back into contention. A Michael Ryan free left Moorefield 0-9 to 0-6 up, but that lead did not completely reflect their early dominance. And, when Howard tossed the leather at the start of the second period, it was Laurence’s who tore into it. Sean Ryan hit two fine points to leave one in it, and although substitute Philly Wolfe pointed from close range to give Moorefield a breather, the respite was not to last long. Having lost Les Hogan to injury, Moorefield were temporarily in trouble at the back, and Laurence’s took advantage. A high ball found Declan Gallagher behind the Moorefield defence. Padraig Canavan raced from the goal to block smartly, but the Kildare U-21 netminder was out of luck as Tony McMullen pounced to fire to the net and put Laurence’s in the lead for the first time, 1-8 to 0-10. We wondered now whether Moorefield had the championship character to respond, and they answered our question emphatically. They rediscovered their early play in a spell of football that was easily the best in the match, with five points unanswered. Sos Dowling was revelling in a new role at centre-back, while Pa Murray was back to torment the opposition defence. He hit four points, two from play, and Pa Behan added a huge score as well, and within ten minutes of going behind, Moorefield looked like they had condemned Laurence’s to the grave again. After all, they led by four with a matter of minutes remaining. And of course, the minutes they turned their back, Lazurus was wearing red and gold. Sean Ryan was fouled close to the Moorefield goal to give Larries a free from 21 yards, It is unclear whether Liam Miley miskicked or intentionally dropped it short, but when Canavan and a defender fumbled, Declan “Shaq” Gallagher scrambled the ball to the net for a fortuitous goal. Laurence’s were now backed by thunderous roars from the old stand at Athy as they tore forward, sensing a famous victory. As the match headed into injury time, Thomas Doyle took a pass from Mick Fogarty and landed a point to dream about, leaving the sides level. Fortune smiled on Laurence’s when what looked a clear point from Pa Murray was waved wide. But fortune is two-faced, and seconds later, Moorefield were gifted a free when Stuart Byrne was penalised for what looked, at first glance, to be a very soft challenge on Phil Wolfe. Michael Ryan still faced an acute angle from the free, but he proved the coolest man in Geraldine Park to land it on the roof of the net. Game over, we thought, but Tommy Howard kept us hanging on as he allowed injury time to proceed. Five minutes overtime, Larries lost the ball close to the Moorefield goal. Six minutes overtime, Aaron Flood hit a huge effort at a point a few feet wide. Seven Minutes overtime, Sean Ryan took a pass from Gallagher, with Moorefield pleading for the whistle. His shot looked good, but cruelly tailed to go as agonisingly wide as possible, brushing the post on the way past. For all the preparation and training, millimetres can decide championships. Best for moorefield were Kenny Duane, Sos Dowling in the second half, man-of-the-match Pat Murray, and Michael Ryan, while Sean White did some good things. Kildare midfielder Ronan Sweeney had something of an off day at times, but no doubt will be determined to put in a big display against Sarsfields. For Laurence’s, Dom Grufferty defended heroically at times, with Aaron Flood and Sean Ryan having big games and Declan Gallagher causing problems for the green and whites. Moorefield: Padraig Danavan; Martin Ryan, Kevin O’Neill, Seamus Murray; David Barry, Les Hogan, Kenny Duane (0-1); Sean White (0-1), Ronan Sweeney; Pa Murray (0-8, 2f, 2 “50’s), Sos Dowling, Michael Ryan (0-4f); Brian McGrogan, Martin Murray, Bernard Behan. Subs: Phil Wolfe (0-1) for Martin Murray; Pa Behan (0-1) for Brian McGrogan; Paul Potts for Les Hogan. St. Laurence’s: Derek Lawler, Stuart Byrne, Pat Keatley, David Kelly; Mark Byrne, Ivan Keatley, Dom Grufferty; Mick Fogarty, Aaron Flood (0-1); Brian Davis, Sean Ryan (0-3), Tony McMullen (1-0; Thomas Doyle (0-1), Declan Gallagher (1-2, 0-1f), Liam Miley (0-2, 1f). Referee: Tommy Howard (Kilcullen).