Dream start helps Moorefield to title
TWO first-half goals from Mark McDermott and Eddie Heavey were enough to give Moorefield a three point victory over Athy.
Moorefield were much the better team throughout and two second half Kevin Feely goals distorted the scoreline somewhat.
Adam Tyrrell was the star turn for the Newbridge side with his six points earning him the man of the match accolade.
Athy played most of the game with 14 men after goalkeeper Stephen Davis kicked out at Niall Hurley-Lynch in a direct incident from one of Moorefield’s goals.
In a tight and tactical opening to the game where numerous players were involved in off the ball incidents it was Moorefield who had the dream opening with Tyrrell finding Eddie Heavey free inside, the centre forward firing a shot into the top corner.
Athy replied with a James Eaton score from play but an excellent Adam Tyrrell free had Moorefield back in front by three points.
Eddie Heavey soon extended the lead and Moorefield were well clear by the 15th minute as they got a second goal with Mark McDermott palming to the net past Stephen Davis after a fine team move with Tyrrell feeding Aaron Masterson inside and he then laid off for McDermott to score.
It got worse for Athy as after the ball found the net Davis came into contact with Hurley-Lynch and he was given a straight red card.
Tyrrell followed up with successive points to give Moorefield a 2-4 to 0-2 advantage with Athy finally breaking their barren scoring spell in the 27th minute with a Liam McGovern free. Hurley Lynch did round up the scoring for the half with a well taken point in stoppage time as the defending Leinster champions cruised into a 2-5 to 0-2 lead. McGovern kicked Athy’s opening score of the second half with a free directly from the restart to keep them somewhat in touch. Niall Kelly then kicked a couple of nice efforts but they were quickly cancelled out by scores from Tyrrell and substitute Ronan Sweeney.
The game looked to be sleep walking to its inevitable conclusion as Tyrrell, Hurley Lynch and Eanna O’Connor kicked points for the Newbridge side but Athy hit back.
McGovern and Cian Reynolds added points before Kevin Feely fisted in a goal in the 50th minute after a long ball into the square from Niall Kelly.
O’Connor calmed Moorefield down with a free but Athy struck again for their second goal in four minutes with Feely converting a penalty after he was fouled.
Athy would get no closer though as even though McGovern and Sean Ronan kicked late points, a brilliant late Tyrrell effort put the icing on the cake for Moorefield as they powered to a 2-12 to 2-9 victory.