FOUR GOAL BLAST SENDS MOOREFIELD INTO ‘SEMI’

O’Hanrahans stand in way of final place AIB Leinster Club Football Championship quarter-final Moorefield ........................... 4-7 Dunshaughlin (Meath) ...........0-6 By TOMMY CALLAGHAN   BEHAN, McGrogan, McGrogan and O’Neill. The second half goal scorers that ensured Moorefield a place in the semi-final of the AIB Leinster Club Football Championship at a bitterly cold and windswept Pairc Tailteann in Navan on Saturday. While the scoreline is a little flattering to the winners there is no doubt they fully deserved their victory. The manner of their win could certainly not be forecast as the winners led by just two points (0-4 to 0-2) at the break having enjoyed the strong breeze in that period. That opening half was poor in the extreme as both sides battled to come to terms with the elements. Moorefield lined out with a much-changed side from the county final. Missing were Michael Ryan (abroad), Brian McGrogan and Kevin O’Neill; in their places came Jim Bob Murphy, Robbie Delaney and Martin Murray. After Sos Dowling and Graham Dowd exchanged points in the opening minutes, Moorefield took the lead through Pa Behan, who lined out at full forward. Dunshaughlin were doing well at midfield where Dermot Kealy and Graham Dowd were giving Whyte and Sweeney plenty to think about. The Meath boys were constantly breaking the ball in the middle and running directly at the Moorefield defence. A defence that looked extremely strong with Noel Buckley and Martin Ryan outstanding from the outset. Midway through the half and Patrick Murray opened his account to put 2 between them. At this stage Manager Condon, obviously extremely displeased with his forward division, withdrew Robbie Delaney and Martin Murray and introduced Brian McGrogan and Kevin O’Neill. Still Dunshaughlin were winning the midfield battle and it was only when O’Neill went into that sector that the Kildare boys came more into the game. It was an extremely scrappy half with dropped catches, poor passing and missed chances aplenty, particularly by the Meath boys. Half time came with Moorefield leading by 0-4 to 0-2 – Patrick Murray hitting over a 45 yard free in the 24th minute. Just before the break Leslie Hogan was brought into the action for the injured Seamus Murray. Hogan took over at centre back with Duane moving to the wing and Jim Bob falling back into the corner. Manager Condon certainly was not a happy camper and he let his players know in no uncertain terms what he thought of that opening thirty minutes display. His ‘thoughtful’ words certainly had the desired effect. Within a minute Moorefield found the Dunshaughlin net with a brilliant goal. A free from a Dunshaughlin defender was mis-directed and went straight to Ronan Sweeney. The big midfielder carried the ball forward; passed to Cian O’Neill who in turn found Pa Behan. The full forward, with a beautiful side step, left the defence dead before giving keeper Gogan no chance from close range. The Moorefield tails were up and Patrick Murray added an excellent point after good work by McGrogan. Gradually Dunshaughlin fought their way back but poor finishing and some excellent defensive work kept their chances to a minimum. Still Manager Condon was not content; this time he introduced Paul Potts for the out of sorts Sean Whyte and Potts (just like his fellow substitutes) made a telling impact. Pa Murray was again on target with a free to leave the score reading 1-6 to 0-3. Dunshaughlin continued to attack but all they managed was a Paddy McHale free before Brian McGrogan effectively put the game out of reach. Cian O’Neill gained possession out on the right. His shot-cum-centre was gathered by keeper Gogan but in a moment of madness let the ball slip from his grasp. Goal poacher supreme Brian McGrogan was in like a light, side-stepped him and calmly stroked the ball into the empty net off the left hand up right. McHale was again on the mark with a free before ‘Moggy’ struck again. This time a centre from Pa Behan was contested by the number 17 and goalkeeper Gogan. To add to the net-minder’s nightmare it was the Moorefield man who got the vital touch to punch to ball to the net. With ten minutes to go that was that. McHale got his third from a free before Cian O’Neill hit his side’s fourth goal, after a defender’s attempted clearance was blocked only for the big Moorefield man to blast the ball to the net. It fell to Pa Behan to score the final point – a beautiful left footed effort that brought the final score to 4-7 to 0-6. While the scoreline is a little flattering to the winners the transformation in the second half was breath taking. The nerves and hesitancy that was so evident in the opening period disappeared as we saw patches of their fast, accurate passing, excellent running-off-the-ball and clinical finishing that left the Meath boys at sixes and sevens. The Moorefield defence played exceptionally well conceding just one point from play. Apart from an early scare keeper Canavan had little to do. In front of him Martin Ryan was a tower of strength. He was strong, decisive and showed quiet a bit of pace when required. Dave Barry did well as did Jim Bob Murphy; Noel Buckley had a blistering opening twenty minutes while Kenny Duane can also be happy with his display. However one aspect of the display that is sure to worry the backroom boys in Moorefield is a tendency by one or two defenders to concede silly frees. It happened on a few occasions in the second half and while it led to a few points from frees the real worry is a yellow card can turn so easily to red. Midfield struggled for a long time; Sweeney, while not playing to his best, gradually came more into the game as Kevin O’Neill and Paul Potts both in turn strengthened up this area. Up front the introduction of Brian McGrogan had the desired effect. Until his arrival the forward division lacked penetration; Patrick Murray and Pa Behan did well, while Sos Dowling’s workrate is an example to all. Dunshaughlin were obviously feeling the effects of their three-match dual with Rathnew. They were missing one of their midfielders while their top scorer was sorely missed with only one point of their six coming from play. All in all a powerful second half display by Moorefield who now take on O’Hanrahans of Carlow in the semi-final on Sunday in Portlaoise. Manager Conlon and his fellow selectors will have some picking on the side for that game. One thing is for sure no player can afford to relax or drop below the expected standard. This man gives you a chance; if you don’t take it; someone else will get the opportunity . . . and quickly at that. A refreshing approach from a manager whose reputation is growing with every passing game. Moorefield: Pauric Canavan; Dave Barry, Martin Ryan (captain), Seamus Murray; Jim Bob Murphy, Kenny Duane, Noel Buckley; Sean Whyte, Ronan Sweeney; Patrick Murray 0-4 (3 frees), Sos Dowling 0-1, Robbie Delaney; Martin Murray, Pa Behan 1-2, Cian O’Neill 1-0. Subs: Brian McGrogan 2-0 and Kevin O’Neill for Robbie Delaney and Martin Murray (18th minute); Leslie Hogan for Seamus Murray, inj. (31st minute); Paul Potts for Sean Whyte (40th minute). Dunshaughlin: Ronan Gogan; Fergal Gogan, Kenny McTigue, Ciaran Byrne; Denis Kealy, Aidan Kealy, Ronnie Yore; Dermot Kealy (captain), Graham Dowd 0-1; David Tonge, Paddy McHale 0-3 (all frees), Brendan Kealy; David Crimmins, Michael McHale, Trevor Dowd 0-2 (both frees). Subs: Stephen Clare for Graham Dowd (50th minute); Kevin Kealy for Trevor Dowd (51st minute); Tiernan O’Rourke and Shane Kelly for David Tonge and Michael McHale (both 53rd minute). Referee: Eugene Murtagh (Longford).

 

Kildare crash, Moors advance

By TOMMY CALLAGHAN MOOREFIELD proudly kept the Kildare flag afloat at the week-end with a devastating second half display that saw Meath champions Dunshaughlin being ripped apart with goals from super sub Brian McGrogan (2), Patrick Behan and Cian O’Neill. While team manager Mickser Condon admitted after the game his side’s first half performance was filled with basic errors and poor kicking that lacked any pattern or style, the second half display was filled with much of the good football he now expects from his side. “Many of the players seemed a little nervous, even over-awed by the occasion; don’t forget this was a Leinster Club quarter-final, the majority of our lads are young and lacking in experience so while I was extremely disappointed, even angry, at their opening half effort, it was quiet understandable given the circumstances of the occasion.’’ The former Kildare and Clane player has a reputation as a no nonsense manager and on Saturday that was plain to see, choosing to introduce his first two substitutes as early as the eighteen minute. “The lads know this is a panel game these days; they accept that if one or other is not on top of his game we have lads on the line who are only too willing and able to come in. Everyone has off days. Our strength this season is our panel and it is no use having a strong panel if it is not used to its maximum effect.’’ Moorefield now take on O’Hanrahans of Carlow in Portlaoise on Sunday in the Leinster semi-final. Last season Sarsfields beat the Carlow champions by a point in Newbridge so there is little doubt as to the enormity of the challenge facing Moorefield.

Injuries a worry for clash with Carlow champs says Mickser

By PAUL O’MEARA NEWLY crowned Kildare champions Moorefield are within shouting distance of a place in the prestigious AIB Leinster club football championship. Their roller coaster season which began with a draw against St. Laurence’s in the Kildare SFC has been steadily gathering momentum. On Saturday last they faced a trip into the unknown to play Dunshaughlin at Navan. Dunshaughlin had emerged from a bruising three game series with Rathnew and while the games were played in pretty quick succession and they lost a couple of players along the way (not to mention the inability of Richie Kealy to line out on the day) they at least had considerably more experience. In their first outing ever in the competition, Moorefield found themselves up against a battle hardened outfit with three games and extra time under their collective belt. Yet they dismissed Dunshaughlin at Pairc Tailteann thanks to a fine second half performance which featured two goals from Brian McGrogan, who came on as a substitute and one each by Cian O’Neill and Patrick Behan. More impressively perhaps, they restricted Dunshaughlin to a single point from play and they had to reckon without the highly influential presence of Michael Ryan, who is on holiday. Manager Mick Condon was pleased with Moorefield’s display but said that at times during the game the younger players seemed a little overawed by the occasion. The Moorefield management and team also had to contend with a couple of minor hiccups which disrupted their preparation for the game. “A couple of silly little things happened like a a bus got lost and the team was not allowed to warm up on the field but had to use a back pitch instead. It would have been useful for us, because we are in the competition for the first time, to have been able to use the playing field. As well as this we were hardly on the field when the referee threw the ball in to get the game underway. We didn’t have an opportunity to ease into it.” As a result he feels that not all of the players were fully focused. “Our backs played very well and gave little away from play. We honestly only settled into the game in the second half and then gave a good performance. Towards the end of it the game got a bit scrappy, perhaps because we defended a lot.” Looking ahead to Sunday’s semi final at Portlaoise, Condon is concerned about a rib injury incurred by Patrick Murray and it seems that efforts are being made to seek the early return of Ryan the day before the game. “Michael was a loss to us and will be on Sunday if he doesn’t play because of his ability to steady the team as well as to take the game by the scruff of the neck.” Bernard Behan continues to struggle with a hamstring injury and Philip Wolfe is a long-standing injury casualty. Condon himself has not seen O’Hanrahan’s in action but others associated with the Moorefield team have had them under observation. “They are strong down the middle and are physical but the game against Dunshaughlin will help us enormously and if we play well we’ll beat them,” he added. Meanwhile their opponents , who gave Sarsfields a good run for their money a year ago, needed extra time to defeat Coralstown-Kinnegad, the nominated Westmeath side in a replay on Saturday at Mullingar. O’Hanrahan’s have more experience in the competition but Moorefield’s impressive demolition of Dunshaughlin, allied to the strength in depth of their panel ought to be more than enough to send them into the final - just as Sarsfields did last year.