| Sluggish Moorefield win pulling up |
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| Sean Whyte of Moorefield reaches for the ball from Padraig Donnelly of Towers in the Barlo SFC game. |
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IF Moorefield were a little uneasy about the opening game in their defence of the Kildare senior football title they won last year, it didn’t really show.
They only sign of nerves was a delay in finalising their playing formation just before the game started on Sunday evening at Newbridge.
They then took the field, played second fiddle to Round Towers for all of the first half, a bit of the second period and won pulling up.
Moorefield may not retain their senior football title but it will take a very good team to beat them and of those trotted out so far only Kilcock look capable of giving them a run for their money.
At times on Sunday last Moorefield looked sluggish, almost apathetic but once they found a rhythm - and it took long enough - they were irresistible.
Remarkably they held Towers, with forwards like Karl O’Dwyer, Noel Donlon, Lennie Donlon and Liam Ryan, scoreless from play or frees for the entire second half.
No single player was outstanding for Moorefield and instead they had very good performances from about seven players and they remain a very well balanced team who play for each other.
Towers, trained by John Crofton, had a very fine first half but the cracks began to appear when they lost battles for possession around the middle of the park.
Towers also had too many injury problems to cope with. Dermot O’Loughlin didn’t start for this reason. Liam Ryan and Tom Behan both carried hamstring injuries into the game and left the proceedings at half time and after seven minutes respectively.
It all started so promisingly for Towers. Padraig Donnelly, playing at midfield, got their first score and then Karl O’Dwyer kicked over a free from forty metres.
Towers were 0-3 to no score in front after a fine catch in the centre by Derek Maher started a move which led to a Noel Donlon point in the 6th minute.
Moorefield’s first score came from a Patrick Murray free in the 8th and Sos Dowling scored form play in the 9th but Moorefield never led in the opening half. They had few chances, though. A low ball from Ronan Sweeney rolled towards the line but hit the bottom of the upright. A Sweeney free and a Patrick Murray point brought them level but Towers went ahead again with three successive points, two Seanie Drea frees and score from play from Lennie Donlon.
Towers had an early scoring chance which came from a an enterprising run along the wing by Brian Lacey but Shane Daly hit a wide. Both goalkeepers Michael Leavy and Padraig Canavan were called into action to prevent goal shots and both did well to keep clean sheets.
Kieran Ryan had an excellent game at corner back for Towers and executed a fine block as Cian O’Neill shot. Towers came under sustained pressure and scores began to follow.
McGrogan pointed in the 37th and then paid the price for Moorefield’s inability to secure enough scores to satisfy the selectors. He was promptly hauled ashore. Not that things improved greatly in his absence because after fifteen minutes they had scored just two points.
The turning point arrived in the 47th got on the end of a long ball Murray and punched it to the net. Then Michael Ryan started a move and finished it himself with a point. Moorefield scored twice more to put the issue well beyond doubt.
Towers had two chances before the end. Karl O’Dwyer, who did not play particularly well, missed a decent opportunity form a Shane Daly pass and Noel Donlon hit a ground ball wide.
Moorefield will now play either Raheens or Johnstownbridge. Their best were Kenny Duane, Pa Behan, Martin Ryan, Ronan Sweeney, Michael Ryan, Patrick Murray and Cian O’Neill.
For Round Towers Kieran Ryan and Brian Lacey were prominent and Derek Maher, Lennie Donlon and Liam Ryan tried hard.
Moorefield: Padraig Canavan, Seamus Murray, Martin Ryan, Dave Barry, Kenny Duane, Les Hogan, Pa Behan, Sean Whyte, Ronan Sweeney (0-2, both frees), Patrick Murray (0-4, 1 free), Sos Dowling (0-1), Michael Ryan (0-2), Brian McGrogan (0-1), Kevin O’Neill and Cian O’Neill (1-0). Subs; Martin Murray for Kevin O’Neill 39th, Robbie Delaney for McGrogan 44th and Bernard Behan for Cian O’Neill 57th.
Round Towers: Michael Leavy, Kieran Ryan, Brian Kennedy, Tom Behan, Brian Lacey, Glen Ryan, Paul Waters, Padraig Donnelly (0-1), Derek Maher, Dermot Houlihan, Lennie Donlon (0-2), Karl O’Dwyer (0-1, free), Noel Donlon (0-1), Liam Ryan and Sean Drea (0-2, both frees). Subs; Ger Singleton for Behan (inj.) 7th, Shane Daly for Liam Ryan (inj.) half time, TJ Waters for Houlihan 45th and Damien Broughall for Lennie Donlon 56th.
Referee: Bernard Duff (Suncroft).
| Moors again on top at U.16 semi |
Under 16 Div 1 Football league semi - final
Moorefield 0-14 Sarsfields 1-9
Following their second meeting in seven days Moorefield again emerged victorious despite the best efforts of a gallant Sarsfields team. Sarsfields began well with points by Ronan Smullen but Moorefield replied with points by Bary O'Shea and Alan Thorpe before Moorefield conceded a soft goal which left them struggling for the remainder of the half.
Ronan Smullen, John McNamara and Paul O'Hanlon added points for Sarsfields while Mark Doyle, Barry O'Shea, Kevin Murnaghan and Ross Glavin replied for Moorefield leaving the half time score 1-6 to 0-7 in favour of the Sash. Matters remained even on resumption but the introduction of Michael Treacy who was unable to start due to injury, and Ciaran Kelly helped Moorefield gain a better supply of ball.
This led to them out scoring Sarsfields by 7 points to 3 to ensure a well deserved victory, with points coming from Alan Thorpe, Michael Treacy, Ger Naughton and Ciaran Kelly excelled in defence, Ross Glavin was outstanding at midfield while Kevin Murnaghan, Alan Thorpe and Keith Duane were the pick of the forwards.
Best for Sarsfields were Niall Johnston, Stephen Reidy, John McNamara, Paul O’Hanlon and Ronan Smullen.
Scorers Moorefield Barry O’Shea 0-4, Alan Thorpe 0-3, Ross Glavin 0-2, Kevin Murnaghan 0-2, Mark Doyle 0-1, Michael Treacy 0-1, Keith Duane 0-1.Sarsfields John McNamara 1-1, Ronan Smullen 0-3,Paul O Hanlon 0-3, Conor Walsh 0-1.
| U.14 FL |
Under 14 Football League
Div 1
Moorefield 3-14 Celbridge 2-16
Following a tremendous game of football Moorefield maintained their good form to leave themselves in a very good position, to qualify for the knock out stages leading by 1-9 to 1-8 at half time they had kicked some great points mainly by Michael Doyle and Ciaran Kelly.
Mark O'Sullivan and David Carey were the main contributors for Celbridge.
The second half was an open affair and goals by Michael Doyle and Anthony Reilly left Moorefield leading by six points but Celbridge fought back with a goal by Pat Curtin.
They fought hard right until the end leaving the result in doubt right up until the final whistle. Midfielder Ciaran Kelly kicked two magnificent points to seal victory for the home side.
Stephen Doyle in goal brought off an excellent save in the second and got good assistance from Conor McBride, Willie Ryan and Declan Dooley in defence. Ciaran Kelly and Anthony Reilly played well at midfield while Micheal Doyle, David O'Riordan and Kevin Hanniffy were the pick of the forwards.
Best for Celbridge were Mark O'Sullivan, David Carey, Brian McGee, Michael McDonnell and James McCauliffe. Scorers
Moorefield: Ciaran Kelly 0-7, Micheal Doyle 1-4. Anthony Reilly 1-1 Rob McDonald 1-1 Kevin Hanniffy and David O Riordan 0-1 each Celbridge.
Mark O' Sullivan 1-4 David Carey 0-6, Pat Curtain 1-1, Eoin Leonard, Domhnall Moore,Brian McGee, Michael McDonnell, Mark Langtry 0-1 each.