Moylagh defeated Kilbride in their last group game in the junior championship to achieve a 100% record through the group for the first time since the days of the Land Commission. Moylagh, who were again without enforcer Shane Brody, were always on top against a Kilbride outfit that started poorly and faded badly but were slow to convert their dominance into scores with some bad wides kicked in the blustery conditions in Seneschalstown. As the half progressed they began to find their range and went in at half time 1-6 to 0-0 to the good with ace marksman Justin O Reilly bagging an opportunistic goal and some fine free taking from Michael Corrigan.
Moylagh were always in control in the second half with Tom O Reilly grabbing a fine second goal following a great move involving John Martin, Colm Fanning and Justin O Reilly. With the game in the bag, manager Johnny O Quirke was afforded the luxury of handing debuts to young guns, Niall McAlarney, Karol Clinton and Dessie Renehen while former Meath and McAnespies stalwart Danny Growney made his first championship appearance of the year following serious knee trouble. Kilbride bagged their only point of the game in the last ten minutes when Dave Harford lost his marker Maurice’mickey ted’ Quinn to fire a consolation score. Moylagh go into the quarter finals having topped the group but have a lot of work to do if they want to progress.
