Moylagh earn draw against battling Kilmainhamwood

Moylagh made into the last eight of the JFC when they earned a priceless point against Kilmainhamwood at Ballinlough on Friday evening. The draw was vital for Moylagh as they would have been eliminated if they had lost as it would have left four teams on seven points, including Kilmainhamwood. However, there was a type of consolation for Kilmainhamwood in the fact that even if they had won the game, they would not have qualified either and would have exited, along with Moylagh on scoring difference. That's how tight it was and with only six minutes remaining Kilmainhamwood were in front, but they had to rely on a late Michael Shankey point for parity after Moylagh launched a late rally. That little flourish from Moylagh produced a point apiece from Meath minor Willie McGrath, his fourth of the game, and Thomas Reilly. Kilmaimhamwood wasted far too many chances in the opening half during which they managed a solitary Stephen Kiernan point in the 16th minute. They trailed by 0-1 to 0-5 at the interval. Six wides proved costly, the first arrived after 25 seconds from Ray Magee who somehow managed to miss the target from point-blank range when a goal looked certain. Each subsequent wide by the 'Wood eclipsed the previous one in terms of 'quality' - they were that bad, brutal almost. Moylagh only had to manage a reasonable return from the chances they created with McGrath and Justin O'Reilly (two each) and Shane Nolan splitting the posts. Two minutes into the second-half Kilmainhamwood got a lucky break. Referee Des Smith awarded them a free, Moylagh thought it was in their favour and concentration lapsed briefly. The result was a well-taken Owens goal that was followed by a brace of Magee points while Moylagh replied from Colm Fanning for parity (0-6 to 1-3) at the end of the third-quarter. The excitement of the closing stages masked the abysmal standard that both teams produced, but the spectators were riveted as the drama unfolded. McGrath and Owens traded points as the deadlock remained, but when Magee's point edged the 'Wood ahead it looked like they might prevail. Instead, Moylagh showed some character and forged ahead again before Kilmainhamwood salvaged a draw and exited the championship. Moylagh - N Mcmanus; A Hand, B Geraghty, P Fox; S Martin, M Quinn, K Foley; S Nolan (0-1), C Fanning (0-1); T Reilly (0-1), D Hand, W McGrath (0-4 one free); J O'Reilly (0-2 one free), S Brody, E Brody. Subs - E Boyle for d Hand 26 mins, S Brody for R O'Reilly 54m. Kilmainhamwood - D Russell; D Cunningham, P Barber, E Clarke; M Shankey (0-1), S Mulligan, P Moran; A Farrelly, F Owens(1-1); H Corbally, R Madden, S Kiernan (0-1); R Magee (0-3), D Russell, C Gilcreest. Subs - A Crosbie for Russell 39 mins, A Carolan for Gilcreest 48m. Referee - Des Smith (St Ultan's).