SEVEN first half points by wing forward Michael French, some of them as good as any kicked by his illustrious cousin Michael (Donnellan), put county champions Leixlip on the high road to victory in a smashing MFC match in Raheens on Monday night. Four of French’s first half points came from play, as his side led by eight points to three at the interval.

In the second half French’s scoring rate slowed down when directly opposed by county minor wing back James Lonergan. However Kildare minor boss Tom Cribbin and two of his selectors who were at the game must have wished that the flying winger was fully fit at the time of the selection of the Kildare team.

French had three points on the board before Moorefield skipper Frank Hanniffy opened his side’s account in the ninth minute. He quickly added another, before the losers Mark Murnaghan exchanged points with Joe O’Reilly as the winners led by five to two at the end of an enthralling first quarter. The cracking pace and tremendous standard were maintained right to the interval. Ross Glavin pegged one back for the Newbridge lads but French ‘went nap’ in the last three minutes adding a point a minute to put his side five points clear at the break.

On the resumption a Peter Corrigan free stretched the gap to six. Moorefield however struck back with white flags raised by Michael Treacy and Ross Glavin before two angled Corrigan frees and a good score by Ciaran Wynne put the champions seven points clear with 20 minutes to go.

Just when they needed it Moorefield struck for the goal the game craved. A good run by forty yards man Simon Byrne released skipper Hanniffy and the county minor lashed a great shot with his trusty ‘ciotog' to the back of the winners net. A quick point by Ross Glavin left just a goal between them at the three-quarter stage.

That was the signal for the champions to move up a gear. That they did; outscoring the gallant losers by five points to three in the last quarter. That final stanza saw the pace flag a bit. However the high standard of both football and sportsmanship was maintained right to the long whistle, with Mick Monaghan’s firm but kindly refereeing contributing in no small measure to a tremendous contest.

For many of those fortunate enough to see it, this one could well end up as their game of the year.

Apart from the silken first half skills of French, it’s difficult to pick out stars from a thoroughly competent team performance by the county champions. Nevertheless it would be remiss to ignore the trojan work of defenders Cathal Lynch and Colin McHugh, midfielder Shane Brehony, accurate free taker Peter Corrigan and the quicksilver Shane Carthy.

The losers whose contribution to a classic cannot be understated were well served by keeper Thomas Corley defenders James Doyle, Brian Finnerty and James Lonergan. Tim Corley and Mark Byrne battled hard in the ‘engine room’ with Frank Hanniffy, Simon Byrne and the admirable Ross Glavin best in attack.

Leixlip: Paul Martin Conor Fadigan Kevin McNamee Cathal Lynch Byron Gough Colin McHugh Tom Tynan Shane Brehony Peter Corrigan (0-4) Joe O’Reilly (0-1) Paul Cotter Michael French (0-8) Shane Carthy (0-1) John Corrigan (0-2) Ciaran Wynne (0-1). Sub: Ultan Flynn.

Moorefield: Thomas Corley Shane Origan James Doyle James Dowling Dean brogan Dan Connolly Brian Finnerty Tim Corley Mark Byrne Mark Murnaghan (0-1) Simon Byrne James Lonergan Frank Hanniffy (1-2) Paddy Kearns Ross Glavin (0-4). Subs Paddy McDermott (0-1), Paddy Treacy and Michael Treacy (0-1).

Referee: Mick Monahan (Raheens).

Sarsfields ..............................0-5

MOOREFIELD edged two points clear in the closing stages to clinch this u.16 football championship quarter final decider. This was not a very high scoring game but it certainly did not lack excitement and tension from two very committed sides.

Moorefield’s Barry O’Shea opened the scoring with two points in the first ten minutes. Paul O’Hanlon replied for Sarsfields with his own two points to quickly have the sides all square again.

Both team’s forwards were struggling to break free from their markers but Kevin Mournahan from Moorefield did manage to create some space and converted a fine point on the stroke of half time.

Wasted chances in the second half almost cost Moorefield but overall they had most of the possession. This was attributed to outstanding mid-fielder Ross Glavin.

Ciaran Sweeney pointed for Sarsfields to draw level once more but Mark Doyle edged Moorefield ahead again after fifteen minutes into the second half.

Paul O’Hanlon got his third point of the game with ten minutes remaining and again Moorefield replied quickly with a Kevin Mournahan point. Barry O’Shea and Alan Thorpe sealed the win with a point each with a minute to go.

Sarsfields never gave up though and with Paddy Tracey a rock at full-back Moorefield were not going to let it slip in the dying seconds.

Outstanding for Moorefield were Frank Durney, Paddy Tracey, Andrew Murphy, Ross Glavin, Michael Tracey, Mark Doyle, Kevin Mournahan and Barry O’Shea.

Best for Sarsfields were Tom Confey, Patrick O’Sullivan, Kevin Healy, Paul O’Hanlon and Gary Molyneaux.

Scorers Moorefield: Barry O’Shea (0-3), Kevin Mournahan (0-2), Mark Dole (0-1) and Alan Thorpe (0-1).

Scorers Sarsfields: Paul O’Hanlon (0-3), Ciaran Sweeney (0-1) and Brian Donohue (0-1).

Moorefield .......................................................2-12

St Laurences .....................................................0-9

MOOREFIELD travelled to St Laurences and emerged comfortable winners despite being short many regular players. They dominated from the throw in and led by 1-7 to 0-3 at the interval with points by Pa Murray, Ronan Sweeney 0-2, Robbie Delaney 0-2, Brian McGrogan and a goal and a point by Bernard Behan.

Laurences replied with points by Sean Ryan and Junior and Liam Miley. Laurences upped their performance in the second half with points by Liam Miley and Aaron Flood. However two points by Ronan Sweeney and a goal by Sos Dowling put the result beyond doubt despite the determination of the home side.

Paraic Canavan brought off some good saves in the Moorefield goal while Derek Ryan, Alan Melia and Niall Whyte played well in defence. Ronan Sweeney dominated at midfield with Robbie Delaney and Bernard Behan were the best of the forwards. For Laurences Paddy O'Connor, Stewart Byrne, Sean Ryan, Declan Gallagher and Liam Miley impressed.

Moorefield ..........................2-12

Ellistown ...............................0-7

Moorefield had a dream start with a brilliantly taken goal from Bernard Behan immediately after the throw in, in this SFL game on Saturday. They failed to capitalise on this however, and both teams scored four points each to leave the half time score 1-4 to 0-4.

Ellistown held the upper hand early in the second half but never took the lead due to their very poor shooting in front of goal. Moorefield weathered the storm and stretched their lead with points by Brian McGrogan, Bernard and Patrick Behan and Sos Dowling before Brian McGrogan finished a good move to the net to wrap up the game for the home side.

For Moorefield Alan Melia and Niall Whyte were the best of their defence while Patrick Behan, Cian O'Neill and Sos Dowling shone in attack.

For Ellistown Hubert Conroy, Andrew Dempsey and Andrew McLoughlin played well in defence. Tom O'Loughlin dominated midfield while Andrew Dowling was their best attacker.

Scorers - Bernard Behan 1-2, Brian McGorgan 1-2, Patrick Behan 0-2, Sos Dowling 0-2, Alan Melia, Cian O'Neill, Pa Murray and Philly Wolfe 0-1 each. Andrew Dowling 0-4, Johnny Donnelly, Murt Donnelly and Andrew Dempsey 0-1 each.