Sheridan inspires Moynalvey to final

AMID the rain, the miserable conditions, the greyness of it all, Moynalvey and Longwood served up a gem of an encounter in the JFC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. The sides slugged it out for 80 energy-sapping, leg-weary minutes. The play flowed from one end to the other. At the end Moynalvey were left standing. They took the punches and came back for more, before delivering the decisive knock-out blow. When full-time was up the sides were level 0-10 apiece and it was annouced that a further 20 minutes would be played to try to find a team to face Ratoath in the final. The player who did more than most to consign Longwood"s ambitions to the dustbin was Cathal Sheridan who rolled back the years to give a virtuoso performance in how to take scores. Of course he missed one or two opportunities, from play and placed balls. That was only to be expected when the ball resembled a bar of soap and the players skidded around the wet surface in a vain attempt to remain vertical. This was a day for the long stud. It was Sheridan who notched Moynalvey"s last two points deep in extra-time that were to prove so crucial. One came from play, the other from a well-directed free from distance. When it came to taking the free he made clean contact with the ball and watched as it sail, high between the posts from about 47 metres out. In between those two scores Mickey Burke knocked over a point to reduce the deficit to a minimum. However, Longwood just couldn"t take that extra step. Instead it was Moynalvey who pushed on to secure a place in the final against Ratoath. Sheridan contributed a highly impressive 10 points while Burke was Longwood"s main score-getter with nine, three from play. Both players were powerful influences for their respective teams mixing a high workrate with plenty of guile, skill and that most elusive of qualities - a touch of class. Burke especially covered every blade of grass, relentlessly running in search of the ball, Sheridan used his experience to maximum effect. It would be a big mistake to assume that this was a two-man shown. Both sets of players displayed a admirable level of fitness and willingness to battle for the cause. Every ball was fought for with tremendous tenacity, Every tackle carried with it a big desire to win the ball and gain any little advantage. Whatever else the spectators could complain about they certainly couldn"t quibble with the value they received for the admission fee. Moynalvey were quicker out of the blocks and had tagged on points from Sheridan (two) and Willie Byrne before Longwood finally got moving with a score on 18 minutes from Burke. A further two scores from Sheridan were countered by points from Burke, Rory Maguire (two) and Aaron Ennis to leave the sides level 0-5 apiece at half-time. That was the pattern of the play in the second-half, one side gaining the initiative the other countering to get back on level terms. With two minutes to go in normal time the teams were all-square on 0-11 apiece. Then Moynalvey put together one of those swift passing moves that characterised their performance. Damien Dixon, Byrne, and Paul Walsh were involved in setting up Robert Quinlan who posted the ball firmly between the posts to give Moynalvey the edge. Longwood fought back and in injury time Ennis forced a free from the Moynalvey defence. Up stepped the irrepressible Burke who nervelessly pointed the free from an awkward angle, taking the kick from the hands. The roar of the Longwood supporters shook the stand. Both sides continued to stitch together lenghty passing moves even in extra-time. Moynalvey just had that little bit more experience and composure to dig out their win with Sheridan coming to the fore before he was substituted to a loud applause. The problem for Longwood was that they tended to give the ball away too much and ultimately this cost them dearly. John Donoghue, Mark O"Sullivan and Stephen Donoghue were big influences in ensuring Moynalvey won plenty of clean possession around midfield. Overall this was classic team display from Moynalvey. Mick Weir and Rory Maguire and Ennis could be picked out of Longwood"s brave bunch. Overall a great display - by both teams. SCORERS Moynalvey - C Sheridan 0-10, six frees; W Byrne 0-2; J Donoghue 0-1; D Donoghue 0-1; R Quinlan 0-1. Longwood - M Burke 0-9, six frees; R Maguire 0-3, one free; A Ennis 0-1. TEAMS Moynalvey - O Regan; R Kiernan, P Donoghue, D Kane; P Weldon, D Dixon, A Brien; S Donoghue, J Donoghue; S Reilly, C Sheridan, D Donoghue; M O"Sullivan, W Byrne, B Gilsenan. Subs- R Quinlan for Reilly 38 minutes; C Collins for Gilsenan 43m; B Dixon for Collins extra-time; P J Walsh for Sheridan extra-time. Longwood - A Holton; J Colgan, G Heneghan, J Mahon; C Greene, E Dixon, V Byrne; M Weir, M Burke; R Dorran, R Maguire, P Bannon; A Ennis, W Leonard, K Ennis. Subs - G Ennis for Mahon 30 minutes; Brendan Hannah for Bannon 54m; D Maguire for Dorran 55m; T McNamara for Heneghan extra-time. REFEREE Donal Smyth (Navan O"Mahonys)