Furze hope dashed as Moynalvey impress
HAVING come through the group stage of the 2016 SFC unbeaten, hopes were high that Seneschalstown could get their campaign off to a bright start in Trim on Friday, only for Moynalvey to prove to be the rock on which those ambitions floundered.
The entertainment on offer throughout, though, was much higher than some of the other SFC games over the weekend.
For the winners, two members of Martin Ennis’ hurling team were in sparkling form as Anthony Forde and Mark O’Sullivan caused Seneschalstown endless trouble.
But for the Yellow Furze outfit, Meath sub keeper Joe Sheridan showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with outfield - at this level at least - as he hit 1-3, while elder brother Damien pulled off some excellent catches around the middle third.
Moynalvey produced a power-packed second-half display and that proved to be decisive. They managed to put the shackles on the Seneschalstown forwards and also found their own shooting boots.
Mark O’Sullivan was a key operator in this spell as his powerful running caused Seneschalstown issues as well as his accurate shooting.
For Seneschalstown the loss in the first half through injury of Adam Carey was a big blow, despite the impressive showing of replacement Niall McCabe.
A 15th-minute rocket of a goal from Joe Sheridan, who held off the full back with one hand as he caught the ball with the other before firing across the goal and into the right corner of the net, was the highlight of the opening half for Seneschalstown.
Cathal Finnegan, Brian Sheridan, Bryan Clarke and Joe himself with two points raised the white flags for Seneschalstown as the sides ended the opening half level, 1-5 to 0-8.
Brian Sheridan opened the scoring on the restart, but from there on Moynalvey took control, with O’Sullivan and David McLoughlin leading the charge.
Joe Sheridan, Robert Wogan and Brian Sheridan completed the Seneschalstown scoring.
MOYNALVEY: Conor Egan; Conor Harnan, Robert Lawless, Cathal McCabe; Padraic Harnan 0-1, Stephen Donoghue, Anthony Forde 0-3; Donal Smith, John Donoghue; Mark O’Sullivan 0-3, Daniel Treacy, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-2fs, David McLoughlin 0-6 (3fs), Fearghal McCabe 0-1, Darren Brennan. Subs: Eamon Walsh for J Donoghue, Adam Murphy 0-1 for Treacy.
SENESCHALSTOWN: David Gordon; Conor Cowley, John Smith, David Matthews; Niall Hickey, Cormac Noonan, Gary Conlon; Sean Noonan, Damien Sheridan; Adam Carey, Joe Sheridan 1-3, Niall Groome; Cathal Finnegan 0-1f, Brian Sheridan 0-3 (2fs), Bryan Clarke 0-1. Subs: Niall McCabe for Carey, Brian Maguire for Conlon, Robert Wogan 0-1 for Finnegan.