Resourceful Moylagh advance in Junior race

Moylagh proved more resourceful in this JFC quarter-final against neighbours Drumbaragh at Carnaross on Sunday evening as they negotiated a stern challenge to make it to the last four again. Under the guidance of Dessie Hamilton, Moylagh produced a composed performance that enabled them survive eight minutes of second-half injury-time during which they failed to score. Drumbaragh managed a couple of points during that period, but they never really looked like they had the ability to overhaul a fitter looking Moylagh side that frequently moved the ball at pace. Moylagh created plenty of scoring opportunities, especially in the opening half, but they tallied 12 wides and were guilty of some poor finishing. The statistics show that Drumbaragh were more economical with possession as they managed only four wides, but that was due mainly to their failure to carve out as many chances. They also had to plan without Darragh Gogarty, who was injured in the last qualifying round against Curraha, which meant that John Smith had to line out at midfield again. Smith was their top scorer as he claimed five points (four frees) which helped to keep his side in contention as Moylagh squandered some good first-half opportunities. However, Moylagh enjoyed the better of the midfield exchanges where Colm Fanning and Joe Melia worked hard while the forwards had sufficient pace to cause lots of problems. The goals, one in each half, ultimately proved decisive. There was touch of good luck about Moylagh's first from Justin O'Reilly in the 17th minute. O'Reilly benefited from a kind bounce which a Drumbaragh defender misjudged, but he still had plenty to do before he finished past Willie Arkins. That goal helped Moylagh into a 1-5 to 0-7 interval advantage with points from Peter Fox (free), Justin O'Reilly, Melia, Ronan O'Reilly and Eanna Brody. Battling Drumbaragh stayed in touch with points from Smith (three frees), Willie Carry, James Connolly, Thomas Carry and John Madden. Referee Brendan Darby was kept busy as he issued four yellow cards, three for Drumbaragh, with Seanie Bennett fortunate to avoid an early departure notice. Within a minute of the resumption Willie Carry had Drumbaragh on terms, but they failed to hit the target again for a further 15 minutes. Fox carved the opening for Moylagh's first score of the half when he found Thomas O'Reilly who sent over confidently. O'Reilly repeated the feat soon after when Justin O'Reilly provided the ammunition. Drumbaragh substitute Damien Carry was then guilty of a yellow-card tackle on Melia who pointed the resultant free for a 1-8 to 0-8 third-quarter advantage. Smith got Drumbaragh moving again, but Thomas O'Reilly cancelled that effort. Then Moylagh created a goal out of nothing. Brody chased a ball into the corner near the sideline and worked hard for possession, he beat his marker and found Willie McGrath who finished to the net with 13 minutes remaining. That effectively finished the game as a contest although the sides shared six more points before the end, which included an ample amount of injury-time. Moylagh - D Traynor; A Hand, B Geraghty, P Traynor; S Martin, M Quinn, P Fox (0-1 free); J Melia (0-2 one free), C Fanning (0-2); T O'Reilly (0-3), R O'Reilly (0-1), E Boyle; W McGrath (1-0), E Brody (0-1), J O'Reilly (1-2 one pointed free). Subs - D Hand for McGrath 59 mins, K Reilly for Melia 60m, S Brody for E Brody 60m. Drumbaragh - W Arkins; T Lynch, P Carry, M Kavanagh; E Nulty, B Forde, N Corcoran; J Smith (0-5 four frees), M Smith; J Madden (0-1), W Carry (0-4), S Bennett; T Carry (0-1 free), J Connolly (0-1), C Carry. Subs - D Carry for S Carry half-time, S Carry for Arkins 50 mins, R Farnham for T Carry 52m, D Connolly for Madden 54m. Referee - Brendan Darby (Ballinabrackey)