Moville make winning start against Naomh Colmcille in Junior A championship
Foylesiders put rotten league form behind them to defeat Newtown side who'd beaten them in Division 3 ten weeks earlier
Moville opened their Junior A Championship campaign with a composed 1-11 to 0-6 victory over Naomh Colmcille at Carrick Field on Saturday evening.
The hosts signalled their intent early, with Enda Faulkner producing a superb block in the opening minutes to snuff out a rare Newtown chance. From there, Moville took control around midfield, Declan Diver impressing with his work rate and link play.
Despite hitting a number of wides, Moville’s dominance told on the scoreboard. Points from Séamí McLaughlin - finishing a flowing move straight from a Dylan Doherty kickout - and a sublime outside-of-the-boot effort from Christy Hegarty were the highlights as they led 0-5 to 0-1 at half-time.
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Naomh Colmcille struggled to get out of their own half for long periods and never found rhythm in attack. Their best moment came midway through the second half when goalkeeper Matthew Whoriskey made a fine save to deny Danny Murphy from close range.
Moville kept the scoreboard ticking over before Brennan Moore’s late goal put the seal on the result.
It was a comfortable win for the home side, who looked a good deal sharper than their league form suggested, while Naomh Colmcille will be disappointed with their showing.
Both sides will face stiff opposition in round two. Moville are away to Carndonagh on Sunday, while Naomh Colmcille host Letterkenny Gaels.
Moville scorers: Brennan Moore 1-3 (2f); Séamí Pat McLaughlin, 0-3; Michael Barr 0-2; Christy Hegarty 0-1; Decky Diver 0-1; Brendan McClenaghan 0-1
Moville: Dylan Doherty; Lorcan Gillen, Enda Faulkner, Josh McDermott; Brendan McClenaghan, Declan Diver, Caillou O'Kane; Michael Leech, Malachy McDermott; Shea McLaughlin, Michael Barr, Seamus Pat McLaughlin; Christopher Hegarty, Brenan Moore, Evan Hudner. Subs used: Joshie Lafferty, Dáithí Peto, Danny Murphy.
Naomh Colmcille: Matthew Whoriskey; Josh Kildea, Alex Devenney, Jason Fitzpatrick; John Fullerton, Michael Friel, Kevin Dolan; Keenan Diver, Shay McCole; Oran Downey, Ciaran Kennedy, Matthew Doran; Caolan Monaghan, Paul Friel, Kia Brown. Subs: Oisin McFadden.