Moylagh booked their place in the semi final of the junior championship with a hard fought win over a stubborn Ballivor side at Simonstown on Friday night. With the turf cutting season drawing to a close Ballivor were at full strength and raced into a 4 -1 lead in the first 15 minutes with Moylagh struggling for breaks in the midfield and Ballivor s centre forward tormenting Maurice Quinn. As the half progressed Moylagh began to dominate around the middle and with Justin O Reilly in form at full forward they began to slowly reduce the deficit and although Peter Fox had a penalty saved Moylagh went in at half time only one behind(5-4). Ballivor got the first point of the second half from the throw in but incredibly that proved to be their last score as Moylagh dominated possession after that with midfielders Joe Melia and Colm fanning and Quinn (now at wing back) snuffing out any attacks. Moylagh made hard work of turning possession into scores with Justin O Reilly ploughing a lone furrow but they eventually went ahead when o Reilly pointed from a tight angle to put them ahead for the first time (7-6) with seven minutes remaining and they held out to book a place in the semis. Having kicked at least 15 wides and with some poor forward play the Moylagh management have some hard work ahead of them to improve things ahead of a semi final against either Simonstown or Dunsany. Moylagh will also have to plan without Captain John Martin who received a straight red long with the Ballivor no. 5.
