Moorefield dig deep to get the better of Clogherinkoe

SFC pre-Quarter Final

Moorefield 0-11

Clogherinkoe 0-8

It was a tough, no nonsense senior football championship match on Sunday as Moorefield and Clogherinkoe went head-to-head for a place in the Joe Mallon SFC quarter-final proper.

In the end there were three points between the sides but in truth this game could have gone either way but having said that it was Moorefield who dominated for long periods, especially in the opening 30 minutes but a shyness to pull the trigger at times saw them lead by just three points at the break.

On more than one occasion the game looked like it would boil over as exchanges became hot and heavy at times and with referee Ray Kelly failing to stamp his authority on proceedings the players from both sides took full advantage.

The opening score of the game arrived inside one minute when Cein McMonagle converted a free. Two yearly yellows saw Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield) and the opening scorer McMonagle in the match official's book.

It took Moorefield all of six minutes to open their account, a pointed free from top scorer Adam Tyrrell.

Adam Sweeney who started on the edge of the square for Ger Brennan's side cut in along the end line before punching over and when referee Ray Flynn spotted a foul 'inside' on Adam Tyrrell the no. 15 topped over the resultant free to make it Moorefield 0-3 Clogherinkoe 0-1 with 12 minutes on the board.

A poor kick-out saw Adam Sweeney gain possession, finding Aaron Masterson and the county man punched over.

Clogherinkoe had still to add to their opening score and four wides from long distance along with a few shorts did little for their cause.

Moorefield also had some efforts that failed to find the sticks but when Adam Sweeney got his second of the game on 20 minutes the lead was out to four.

However just before the break Mark Nolan was fouled and Jack Robinson duly popped over to leave the half-time score reading Moorefield 0-5 Clogherinkoe 0-2.

A three point lead hardly told the story of that opening half as The Moores dominated but failed to show that dominance on to the score board.

On the resumption Aiden Boyle reduced the gap as 'disagreements' broke out which led to James Murray and Mark Nolan being shown yellow cards.

Jack Robinson, a free, had the lead back to one on 37 minutes before Adam Tyrrell picked up a yellow.

On 42 minutes The Cloghs leveled up Jack Robinson finding Cein McMonagle who took his mark and converted.

Daniel Grehan was the next into the referee's growing list of yellow card recipients before jack Robinson edged Clogherinkoe ahead with his only point from play on 46 minutes.

Back The Moores, Adam Tyrrell, after being fouled himself, converted but again Robinson replied with a free to edge his side back in the lead by one.

It was certainly all to play for at this stage with both sides giving it their all.Evan O'Brien leveled for Moorefield; Tyrrell put them one ahead but again Jack Robinson had them all aboard with a free after Liam Callaghan was shown yellow for a high challenge.

Two minutes of normal remaining and it was down to the wire but as we have seen on many occasions in these circumstances it was the Newbridge side, using all their experience who pulled clear with the final three points of the game.

Aaron Masterson, who had an excellent game, along with Kevin Murnaghan, Mark Dempsey and Liam Callaghan, pointed; Ciaran Kelly put them two clear before a late challenge on Adam Tyrrell as he was shooting, the free, where the ball landed, was duly knocked over the Tyrrell as the final whistle finally arrived, Moorefield setting up a quarter-final date with county champions, Naas, on a final score line of Moorefield 0-11 Clogherinkoe 0-8.

Scorers: Moorefield, Adam Tyrrell 0-5 (4 frees), Adam Sweeney 0-2, Aaron Masterson 0-2, Evan O'Brien 0-1, Ciaran Kelly 0-1.

Clogherinkoe, Jack Robinson 0-5 (4 frees), Cein McMonagle 0-1 (free), Eoghan McMonagle 0-1 (mark), Aedan Boyle 0-1.

MOOREFIELD: Tom Kinsella; Tom Harrington, Mark Dempsey, Ryan Houlihan; Liam Callaghan, James Murray, Kevin Murnaghan; Aaron Masterson, Jason Philips; Tommy McGrath, Mark Murray, Ian Meehan; Evan O'Brien, Adam Sweeney, Adam Tyrrell. Subs: Ciaran Kelly for Mark Murray (38 minutes); Luke Sweeney for Kevin Murnaghan (50 minutes); Liam Healy for Ryan Houlihan (52 minutes); Ryan Moore for Tommy McGrath (53 minutes).

CLOGHERINKOE: Keith Wilkinson; David Hill, Elian Scanlon, Joe Mulraney; Jamie Boyle, Gavin Scanlon, Dean Hanley; Daniel Grehan, Killian Galligan; Conor Swan, Mark Nolan, Aedan Boyle; Jack Robinson, Cein McMonagle Eoghan McMonagle. Subs: Ciaran Flynn for Conor swan (46 minutes).

REFEREE: Ray Kelly.