Cavanagh keeps mighty

FOR a team that wallowed in virtual anonymity for some 35 years, Moy’s name has dramatically gone up in lights, their pedigree enhanced by a two-pronged trophy capture within a matter of weeks.

If the annexing of the Tyrone title sparked unbridled joy, then yesterday’s provincial crown has transported the team into a sporting heaven.

But joint manager Gavin McGilly believes that his players’ feet will remain firmly on the ground as they focus on extending an unimagined championship odyssey.

“Maybe we made things a bit hard for ourselves in this game but we got over the line in the end and that’s all that matters,” said McGilly.

“These boys just don’t know when they are beaten, and I know that from this week on, playing in the All-Ireland semi-final will be the only thing on their minds.”

The loss of Conor Magee and James Rice to red cards between the 51st and 54th minutes torpedoed Rostrevor’s chances of snatching the game out of the fire and allowed the Tyrone champions to write another chapter in their history.

The teams were deadlocked at 0-5 each at half-time, Sean Cavanagh (pictured) having potted three points for Moy with Caolan Mooney an inspirational force for Rostrevor.

It was in the third quarter that Moy made their pitch for victory, Cavanagh joining Harry Loughran and Eunan Deeney in firing over points that thrust their side into a 0-8 to 0-5 lead.

They may only have scored once more – a Declan Conroy point in the 47th minute – but Moy thwarted Rostrevor’s gallant efforts to snatch victory.

Two points from frees by Mooney had helped sustain the Down team’s challenge but the handicap of playing out the closing phase of the game while stripped of the services of Magee and Rice was to prove too much. SCORERS – Moy: S Cavanagh 0-4 (3fs); E Deeney, H Loughran 0-2 each; D Conroy 0-1. Rostrevor: C Mooney 0-4 (3fs); J Parr 0-2 (2f); Conor Magee, P Kane 0-1 each.

MOY – N Brady; P Mackle, T McNicholl, T Conlon; M Gribbin, N Conlon, E Deeney; C Cavanagh, T Loughran; D Conroy, H Loughran, A Currie; R Coleman, S Cavanagh, C Duffy. Subs: E Rafferty for Currie, D McKeown for Duffy (51), P Lavery for Conroy (52), K McQuaide (62), A Donaghy for T Conlon (62). ROSTREVOR – J Parr; J Rice, D McElhinney, J Farrell; J Donaghy, Christopher Magee, J Connolly; N Farrell, Conor Magee; B Keenan, S Parr, D Magee; C Doyle, P Kane, C Mooney. Subs: J Fegan for Farrell (43), J Morgan for Doyle (45), C Gordon for D Magee (55), C Owens for C Magee (61).

REF – N McKenna (Monaghan)