Moore hits a late winner
CORMAC MOORE turned on the style with a glorious point two minutes from the end to inspire Réalt na Mara to a hugely impressive one-point victory over a fancied Castletown outfit in this Gorey District Under-21 football Roinn 1 championship quarter-final in Tomnahely on Monday of last week.
Réalt na Mara had to overcome many anxious moments during the game, particularly in the opening ten minutes. They trailed by 0-6 to 0-1 at the end of this spell, with Castletown looking very good.
For some strange reason, Castletown failed to build on this impressive start, relinquishing this early initiative to a Réalt na Mara side inspired by defenders Evan Dunbar and Darren Morris, Cathal Dunbar in midfield, along with Cormac Moore, Shane Quinn, Dylan Sweeney and Eoin Corcoran in the attack.
From the opening minutes Castletown took the initiative as Joe Gardiner and Stephen Maloney were winning lots of outfield possession, while Ross Bealin chipped in with three pointed frees during the opening ten minutes. Further points followed from Maloney, Yusif Frih and Seán Roche, after the Ballygarrett side had opened the scoring with a first-minute Shane Quinn point.
Following their slow start Réalt na Mara gradually played their way into the game, responding with points from Shane Quinn and Cormac Moore (free), while a fine 40-metre effort from Eoin Corcoran left just two separating the sides (0-6 to 0-4) at the end of the opening quarter.
Three unanswered points followed from Dylan Sweeney (two) and a Moore free to help their side regain the lead (0-7 to 0-6).
Castletown eventually managed to respond with points from a Bealin free along with a Robbie Brooks effort, but an Eoin Corcoran point sent the sides in level (0-8 each) at the interval.
After Joe Gardiner and Moore (free) had exchanged points within minutes of the re-start, a fine Ross Bealin point from play edged Castletown into a 0-10 to 0-9 lead after 37 minutes.
Réalt na Mara were beginning to impose themselves more in attack, with Dylan Sweeney getting on the end of a sweeping move after 43 minutes to crash home a fine goal from an acute angle, giving his side a 1-9 to 0-10 lead.
To their credit, Castletown responded to the challenge with points from Bealin (free) and Stephen Maloney to level the sides (1-9 to 0-12) with six minutes remaining.
Moore and Bealin went on to exchange pointed frees, before Moore kicked over a delightful winning point from play two minutes from the end.
Réalt na Mara: Kieran Gigi; David Doran, Evan Dunbar, Philip Doyle; Patrick Fleming, Darren Morris, Tom Sinnott; Cathal Dunbar, Gavin Walker; Brian O’Connor, Shane Quinn (0-2), Cormac Moore (0-5, 4 frees); Eoin Corcoran (0-2), Dylan Sweeney (1-2), Jack Doyle. Subs. - Michael Burke for O’Connor, Conor Dowling for J. Doyle.
Castletown: Alex Roche; Frank Roche, Marc Halpin, Cathal Gregan; Cillian Pierce, Yusif Frih (0-1), Oisín Condren; Joe Gardiner, Stephen Maloney (0-2); Seán Roche (0-1), Ross Bealin (0-8, 6 frees), Cillian Byrne; Liam Condren, Robbie Brooks (0-1), Ryan Murphy. Subs. - Alan Halvey for Gregan, Darragh Brooks for L. Condren.
Referee: Eddie O’Sullivan (Kilanerin).