Dixon clocks first win for Greens

Moyfenragh.....0-9

Loughcrew.....0-8

Danny Dixon's free, after he had been fouled in the third minute of injury-time, was the score that proved to be the difference between Moyfenragh and Loughcrew in the Regional FC at Dunganny tonight, writes Fergal Lynch.

Another key factor in Moyfenragh's victory was an outsanding penalty save by Billy Hogan who denied Pearse Sheridan with a stunning 46th minute stop down low to his right.

Moyfenragh were in a strong position at that stage when they led 0-8 to 0-5 and looked to have to game under control.

Another Loughcrew attack appeared to come to nothing as CJ Healy's attempt dropped short into Hogan's hands, but referee Padraig Coyle spotted an infringement by Kevin McKeon on Michael Flood off the ball and spread his arms to signal a penalty.

Kevin McKeon was sent to the bin for 10 minutes, but by the time he reached the line he turned to see Hogan make a magnificent stop to deny Sheridan.

Loughcrew were reduced to 14 men two minutes later when the excellent Shane Gibney was shown a black card and before the teams were restored to 15 a side Sean Geraghty and Oran Mulvaney had closed the gap to the minimum with five minutes plus injury-time remaining.

Sheridan was black carded on the hour mark, but Loughcrew still managed to conjure up an equaliser when Joe Blake pointed a free after Mickey Burke fouled the ball.

The tie seemed destined for a draw, but Dixon, who was outstanding throughout, was fouled as he surged goalwards and popped over the resultant free to secure the win.

Even though Moyfenrgah deployed 13 men behind the ball when under pressure, they quickly turned defence into attack with Dixon and Brendan McKeon outstanding throughout.

This was by no means a defensive game of football. It was fast flowing and free moving and both sides have to be commended for the quality of the fare in near perfect conditions.

Loughcrew started well and opened the scoring from a Healy free after Gibney was taken down.

It took Moyfenragh until the 10th minute to find their range, but when they did they fired two points in a minute with Dixon and Sean Coloe giving them the lead.

Gareth O'Reilly was denied a goal for Loughcrew by a brilliant block and after that let-off Moyfenragh doubled their lead with Darragh Swaine and Brendan McKeon on target to make it 0-4 to 0-1 after 19 minutes.

Sheridan ended Loughcrew's 16-minute drought with a point and they went close to bagging a goal in the 26th minute when Blake's placed effort took a coat of paint off the outside of the post.

Sheridan closed the gap to a point 30 seconds later, but another superb score from Dixon put Moyfenragh back in the driving seat.

Under pressure Loughcrew closed the half well and went into the break level with excellent points from Mulvaney and Healy making it 0-5 each.

Three subs at half-time, including the introduction of Hogan, boosted Moyfenragh and by the 40th minute they were 0-8 to 0-5 ahead with Swaine (free), Jack Doherty and Dixon on target.

However Loughcrew refused to lie down and despite being denied a penalty goal by Hogan's wonder save they managed to restore parity before Dixon broke their hearts in injury-time.

Moyfenragh - Eoin Griffin (Clann na nGael); Jamie Smith (Ballivor), Stefan Connolly (Ballivor), Eoghan Treacy (Clonard); Jack Doherty (Clann na nGael 0-1), Mickey Burke (Longwood), Ross Kerrigan (Longwood); Sean Coloe (Longwood 0-1), Kevin McKeon (Ballivor); David Raleigh (Ballivor), Danny Dixon (Boardsmill 0-4 one free), Adam Dowdall (Clonard); Stefan Kelly (Ballivor), Darragh Swaine (Clann na nGael 0-2 one free), Brendan McKeon (Ballivor 0-1). Subs - Billy Hogan (Longwood) for Griffin, Stevie Gibbons (Boardsmill) for Dowdall, Niall Durkan (Boardsmill) for Kerrigan all half-time, Ray Hatton (Boardsmill) for Raleigh 53 mins, Gary Sherrock (Ballivor) for Swaine 60m.

Loughcrew - Dylan Scully (St Brigid's); Dylan Garrigan (Oldcastle), Darren Gibney (Moylagh), Shane Gibney (Moylagh); Ronan Maguire (Oldcastle), Michael Flood (St Brigid's), Lee Healy (Oldcastle); Sean Reilly (Moylagh), Oran Mulvaney (Oldcastle 0-2); Sean Geraghty (Ballinlough 0-1), Pearse Sheridan (Oldcastle 0-2), Harry Ryan (Ballinlough); CJ Healy (Oldcastle 0-2 one free), Joseph Blake (St Brigid's 0-1 free), Gareth O'Reilly (Oldcastle). Subs - Darragh Caffrey (Ballinlough) for L Healy 40 mins, Cormac Browne (St Brigid's) for Maguire 43m, David Gibney (St Brigid's) for Ryan 48m.

Referee - Padraig Coyle (Seneschalstown).