Early goals boost Slane to Fintan Ginnity Cup

The heartbreak of losing last year's final was wiped away inside eight minutes as Slane bagged two early goals to lay the foundation for victory over Moynalty and claim the Fintan Ginnity Cup for the Junior B FC at Pairc Tailteann today by 2-10 to 0-10.

Slane were goal hungry in the early stages and every chance they created looked destined for the net.

Matt Tully saw his early strike hit the post and rebound to Podge McGowan who made no mistake after six minutes and two minutes later Matt Tully was presented with another chance and buried it to make it 2-0 to 0-0.

Slane were denied another goal by a brilliant block by Liam Brogan and they were seven clear before Joey Gilsenan opened Moynalty's account from a free.

Two more points from Gilsenan and Pauric O'Connor closed the gap to 0-3 to 2-1, but Slane settled again and pulled 2-3 to 0-3 ahead.

Gilsenan was black carded five minutes before the break and in that spell Slane outscored Moynalty by 0-3 to 0-1 to lead 2-6 to 0-4 at the break.

There were a few nervous moments for Slane after the break as Moynalty hit points from Paddy Byrne, Paul Lynch and Christy Cahill to close the gap to 0-7 to 2-6, but Matt Kealy settled Slane with a converted free.

Anto Nevin and Cormac Kearney hit back with a couple more for Moynalty, but McGowan and Mooney settled Slane to restore their six-point cushion and that gap remained as Joey Gilsenan and McGowan traded scores to close the scoring and confirm Slane as champions.

SCORERS

Slane - Podge McGowan 1-4 one frees; Matt Tully 1-1; Eanna Mooney 0-2; Matt Kealy 0-2 frees; Darren Berrill 0-1 free.

Moynalty - Joey Gilsenan 0-3 frees; Christy Cahill 0-2; Paddy Byrne 0-1 free; Anto Nevin 0-1; Cormac Kearney 0-1; Paul Lynch 0-1; Pauric O'Connor 0-1.

TEAMS

Slane - Darren Berrill; Alex Devin, Evan Murray, Johnny McDonagh; Eoin Feeley, Jim Marry, Kyle Tallon; Peter Martyn, Francis Marry; Tadhg Martyn, Alan Harding, Matt Tully; Eanna Mooney, Podge McGowan, Matt Kealy. Subs - Sean Martin for Feeley 42 mins, Niall Carolan for Harding 45m, Sean Murray for Kealy 56m, Danny Carolan for E Mooney 58m, Conor Forde for Tully 59m, Oisin Mooney for Tallon 68m.

Moynalty - Johnny Lynch; Ronan Lynch, Ronan McMahon, Liam Brogan; Christy Cahill, Cormac Kearney, Niall O'Connor; Anto Nevin, Adam Reilly; Joey Gilsenan, Paddty Byrne, John Brogan; Paul Lynch, Pauric O'Connor, James Cassidy. Subs - Cathal Reilly for A Reilly 37 mins, Kian Lynch for Cahill 47m, Ollie Sheridan for Byrne 49m, Richie Gilsenan for P Lynch 57m.

Referee - Robbie Barrett (Walterstown).

The numbers on the jerseys of the Slane substitutes didn't corralate to their numbers in the programme, so we apologise for any errors in this match report.

Full match report and more photos from today's Junior B FC final in Tuesday evening's Meath Chronicle.