Moycarkey Borris goal threat proves decisive in U17 semi-final win over Killenaule

County U17B Football Championship Semi-Final

Moycarkey Borris 3-7

Killenaule 1-10

By Michael Dundon

Moycarkey Borris held out manfully in the face of a spirited Killenaule onslaught to claim their place in the county under 17B football final after a ding-dong battle at Gortnahoe on Saturday last.

There was nothing between the sides in this cliffhanger but crucially Moycarkey-Borris got the goals in a contest in which Killenaule outscored them 11 to 10.

Two goals at the start of the second half were central to the Moycarkey win while Killenaule were denied a likely goal when Moycarkey goalie Odhran Lamphier beat away Killenaule’s Rory Shelley’s fine effort at the start of the last quarter. A Killenaule goal then and who knows how the game might have gone.

Both sides played some fine football but Moycarkey-Borris were the more clinical in front of goal with Killenaule left to rue a few wasted scoring chances. In a game of such fine margins, these lapses were to prove very costly.

Moycarkey got the ideal start with midfielder David Costigan scything through the Killenaule defence for a goal in the first minute. Darragh O Gorman pointed for Killenaule before Tom Ryan had a white flag for Moycarkey after seven minutes. It was lively end-to-end stuff but then Killenaule hit a purple patch with four points in six minutes through Cathal Barrett (2), Shane Ryan and Tony Ryan to go ahead 0-5 to 1-1.

Moycarkey countered with points from Costigan and Killian Cantwell but Killenaule finished the half strongly with a brace of Barrett points for an interval lead of 0-7 to 1-3. At this stage, it was anybody’s guess who would prevail but within six minutes of resuming, Moycarkey had their place in the final virtually nailed down.

In a repeat of the opening sequence, Louis Coughlan raced through for a Moycarkey goal from the throw-in. Five minutes later David Costigan fed Tom Ryan and he netted to put the Mid champions in a commanding position. They quickly added further points from Tom Ryan and David Costigan for a 3-5 to 0-7 lead and looked home and dried.

Not so however as Killenaule, showing remarkable spirit and courage, rallied.

Points by Jack Bourke and Charlie Barrett were followed by a Darragh Doyle goal in the 47th minute to leave them just five points behind(1-9 to 3-8) with the game again in the melting pot.

Then came Rory Shelley’s volley for a goal which Odhran Lamphier saved. Tom Ryan steadied Moycarkey's nerves with a neat point to which Eoin O Dwyer replied for Killenaule. Two points down with six minutes to play, time was now Killenaule’s enemy and press as they did they could not break down a resolute Moycarkey defence.

In the 59th minute David Costigan, who had an outstanding game for Moycarkey, surged upfield and rounded off a 60-metre run with the last point of the game.

There was still defending to be done as Killenaule pursued a levelling goal but the Mid lads stood firm to go through to the final against opposition yet to be decided.

This was an impressive performance by Moycarkey whose strength in the key positions was crucial. Midfielders David Costigan and Louis Loughlan had the height, strength and pace to lead the Moycarkey charge but Tom Ryan, Killian Cantwell, and Cathal Clancy were others to work their socks off while goalie Odhran Lamphier’s second-half save was also very influential throughout.

Killenaule will know they could have won this game but slow starts to both halves and a couple of spurned opportunities were their undoing and left them with too much ground to make up. Shane Ryan, Charlie Barrett, Darragh Doyle, David Lahart and Michael Kelly were the main drivers of their challenge with a south title as their compensation for a fine campaign.

Moycarkey Borris: Odhran Lamphier; Mark Drohan, Daniel Hayes, Ethan Dawson; Cillian Doran, Killian Cantwell (0-1), Cathal Clancy; David Costigan (1-3), Louis Coughlan (1-0); Sean O’Dwyer, Tom Ryan (1-3), John Fitzgerald; Conor Donnelly, Eamon Ryan, James Danagher.

Subs used: Darragh Patterson for Danagher; Richie Maher for Dawson.

Killenaule: Owen Fanning; Declan O’Dwyer, Michael Kelly, Andy Williams; David Lahart, Darragh Doyle (1-0), Bill Smith; Eoin O’Dwyer (0-1), Mark Maher; Tony Ryan (0-1), Charlie Barrett (0-5, 0-4f), Rory Shelley; Shane Ryan (0-1), Jack Burke (0-1), Darragh O’Gorman (0-1).

Subs used: Igor Miguel for Burke.

Referee: Paddy Russell (Lattin Cullen)