| OH SO CLOSE |
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Moors let it slip in dying minutes
By TOMMY CALLAGHAN IT’S never over ’till the Fat Lady sings! That adage will haunt Moorefield for many a day following their defeat in this memorable AIB Leinster Club Football Championship semi-final in Portlaoise on Sunday. Played in absolutely deplorable conditions this game equalled, at least, the best we have ever seen over the years in club championship football. Passion in abundance. Excellent scores. Never-say-die attitude. Top class fielding. Lots of mistakes as the conditions deteriorated. And an ending that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of, assuming that he wasn’t a Moorefield supporter, that is. O’Hanrahans, the champions from Carlow for the second season running, were the dominant side for most of the game, yet they failed to shake off a determined and well disciplined Moorefield team that was, of course, playing in this competition for the very first time. The Newbridge boys, playing against the strong breeze, slipped a couple of points behind early in the game as O’Hanrahans dominated midfield. Seanie Whyte moved to the middle and with Ronan Sweeney upping his game, the Moors drew level seven minutes before the break. Back came O’Hanrahans to gain a two point interval lead. It was still very much all to play for. In a ding-dong second half, in which Sweeney was outstanding, the Moors levelled matters; then back came O’Hanrahans to regain the initiative. Midway through and we were all aboard. As the wind and rain intensified the Newbridge lads swept into a two point lead with just four minutes remaining.Rivetting stuff. It looked all over, but the Carlow boys refused to buckle and with three points took the lead in injury time. Moorefield responded but just couldn’t get that all important equaliser. The Carlow champions march on. Moorefield can only reflect on a magnificent effort; a magnificent season and a hell of a lot to look forward to in this and the seasons ahead. The myth that GAA referees are inclined to blow up in games when a draw looks the most likely result is certainly one that referee McGann is certainly not aware of. He could have; some say should have, but in the end of the day there really can’t be any complaints. A brilliant game, played in a hard but sporting manner by two extremely well prepared and committed sides. As for the ‘Lady’, I wouldn’t mention her for a day or two in certain quarters . . . at least! |
| HEARTBREAK FOR MOOREFIELD |
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AIB Leinster Club Football Championship semi-finalO’Hanrahans .......... 0-12Moorefield .............. 0-11By PAUL O’MEARAin O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
IT will be of little consolation to Moorefield that this was a close run thing, which was full of incident and no little drama despite the conditions. They lost by a single point and minutes before the end they appeared to be cruising to a win with a two points advantage. O’Hanrahan’s, who lost by a single point against Sarsfields in the Leinster Club SFC a year ago, deserved the win because they were the more threatening side for most of the hour. A draw would not have been unfair to either team but it would have been stretching the imagination a bit to argue that the game belonged to Moorefield. All of their first half scores came from frees and even though they were playing into a strong breeze for this period it was not a promising omen. The Carlow championship is a less taxing affair than its Kildare equivalent but O’Hanrahan’s are no bad team and their display against Sarsfields last year in Newbridge was hardly a fluke. Throughout the game they worked the ball well and there was purpose to most of what they did. At times they tried too hard and made one pass too many but the ball was never disposed of aimlessly. They took the game to Moorefield and for the first time this season Moorefield found themselves facing an attack with just as much menace as theirs. Michael Ryan, on a much postponed holiday to Egypt, took no part and his leadership was badly missed. The early scores for both teams came from frees. Pa Kavanagh converted a couple of frees before the outstanding Patrick Murray replied for Moorefield in the 6th minute. Brian Walker, a troublesome corner forward, nudged the Carlow side into a three points advantage and O’Hanrahan’s were already spraying the ball around the good effect by the the time Kavanagh scored again. O’Hanrahan’s were much more creative during the opening half and only a fingertip save by Padraig Canavan deprived Gavin Walker of a goal. Canavan was busy and excellent throughout the game. David Bermingham was a late addition to the O’Hanrahan’s side and was one of their best players. He restored their lead in the 25th and a 45 from Kavanagh gave them a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead. Moorefield had the wind for the second half and this was a help as was the amount of possession won and distributed by Ronan Sweeney even though O’Hanrahan’s midfielder Alan Bowe was playing very well. After less than a minute Brian McGrogan got their first point from play. For the first few minutes of the second half Moorefield were well on top. A shot by Sos Dowling was deflected out for a 45 and when O’Hanrahan’s did come forward Canavan disposed of the threat. They were level when Patrick Murray converted another free. However as soon as he did O’Hanrahan’s went ahead. Both scores came from play and were evidence enough that O’Hanrahan’s would not be easily be pushed over. Moorefield levelled again, this time when a fluent attack ended with a Ronan Sweeney point. But, wouldn’t you know, as soon as it happened O’Hanrahan’s replied. It as followed by Moorefield’s most productive spell. Substitute Martin Murray, Kenny Duane and Patrick Murray (free) all pointed within four minutes. Moorefield now led by 0-11 to 0-9. It as their last score and O’Hanrahan’s rallied and got the last three scores of the game. The last attack was launched by Moorefield and as the ball came into the the goalmouth, Brian McGrogan appeared to be fouled. It would have taken a very brave referee to award a penalty and perhaps it wasn’t merited but it demonstrated just how close Moorefield had come to reaching a Leinster final. They may be disappointed that they didn’t reach a showdown with Na Fianna with a depleted formation but they have been worthy campaigners this championship season and, more importantly, will take some beating when the Kildare SFC rolls around next year.Patrick Murray and Ronan Sweeney were their best on Sunday but Brian McGrogan and Noel Buckley also did well.
O’Hanrahan’s: John Brennan, Barry English, Andrew Corden, Niall English (Capt.), Breffni Hannon, Ken Walker, Ken Kavanagh, Philip Nolan (0-1), Alan Bowe, Gavin Walker, Pa Kavanagh (0-4, 3 frees and 1 45), David Bermingham (0-2), Brian Walker (0-3), Anthony Kavanagh (0-1) and Seamus Farrell (0-1). Moorefield: Padraig Canavan, Davy Barry, Martin Ryan (Capt.), Seamus Murray, Jamie Murphy, Kenny Duane (0-1), Noel Buckley, Sean White, Ronan Sweeney (0-2, 1free), Patrick Murray (0-5, all frees), Seamus Dowling, Kevin O’Neill, Brian McGrogan (0-1), Patrick Behan (0-1) and Cian O’Neill. Subs: Bernard Behan for Kevin O’Neill 37th and Martin Murray (0-1) for Cian O’Neill 44th. Referee: Paul McGann (Westmeath). |