Anxious Moate narrowly avoid relegation play-off

IT was a close shave but Moate All-Whites survived the threat of relegation from the Westmeath IFC by the slightest of margins, after holding fellow strugglers Kilbeggan Shamrocks to a sterile draw at Lakepoint Park, Mullingar last Friday evening. Moate, with only a single point to their name from the previous four matches, needed just a share of the spoils here, and they just about managed this after a rather turgid and uneventful affair. In doing so, Moate also condemned bottom placed Shamrocks into a relegation play-off against Ballinagore. Much was expected of this do-or-die clash at Lakepoint Park, but the expected nail-biter never materialised, and only turned out to be a truly anti-climatic affair, with a paltry twelve points scored over the course of 60 poor minutes. Moate probably should have won this handsomely as they had their fair share of possession and scoring chances, but they were extremely wasteful, and took far too much out of the ball, while Kilbeggan simply could not get in positions to score and lacked the real drive and will-to-win that was needed. Moate, for their part, did just about enough to remain in the mid-tier of Westmeath football, but they have made little progression in the last twelve months, while for Kilbeggan it's now a one-off game to stay at this level. Moate hit four harmless wides in the opening stages and paid the price when Kilbeggan midfielder James Brennan got the opening score of the game, when he pointed from a very narrow angle after six minutes. It was the first Kilbeggan attack of any real meaning, however, the game then returned to its previous state, with sloppy passing and general poor play the order of the day. Moate hit two more poor wides before Gareth Murray got them off the mark with a super score after a long move started by impressive full-back Luke Kelly. Keith Gorry was having a fine game for Shamrocks but was slightly wasted at wing-back, but he began a great move that went through Eoin Dalton before another good finish from James Brennan. However, Shamrocks were not to score for the next 19 minutes - nor did they look like they would. In that period, Moate completely took over and should have been out of reach by half time. James Gillivan got the ball rolling with a lovely score after a wonderful through ball by Brendan Arigho. Gareth Murray put his side into the lead with a fine individual score and they should have had a goal moments later when a high ball from Lar Gillivan fell to Eoin Dalton, and he struck for goal, but somehow the ball was deflected wide of the goal. Kilbeggan were the cause of their own downfall when they failed to clear from defence and again Murray pounced and picked off another good point. At this stage, Moate were completely on top but hit several wides (as did Kilbeggan), but David Keenan did get one back after some good work by David Fennell. Moate went to the break two up when Eoin Dalton converted a free after he was fouled, so at the break it was 0-5 to 0-3 in the All-Whites favour. After a pretty poor first half, everyone expected a massive improvement after the break, but, if anything, the game became even more disjointed and less of a spectacle. Kilbeggan did get a score back with a point from David Fennell after some very poor defending from Moate, but it was to be the only score for 16 minutes, and in that period the game descended into a dreadful affair. Mick Fox levelled matters for Kilbeggan on 47 minutes and their greater desire seemed to be going to win the day, but they simply could not convert their new-found superiority into vital scores, and Moate's defence stood firm (with Luke Kelly the undoubted star). Another great performer for the All-Whites was Alan Claffey and it was only fitting that he should put his side ahead again when he pointed from a short-free by Eoin Dalton against a considerable breeze. But instead of going for it, Moate reverted into their shell and let Kilbeggan come onto them for the final ten minutes. Kilbeggan simply couldn't break down the Moate defence and time and again were repelled, especially by Kelly at full-back. With just three minutes to go, David Marshall levelled the game with a fine score after a tap-down from Emmett Dalton, and at this stage Moate began to panic. Despite the obvious tension in the All-Whites ranks, they managed to cling on and their joyous celebrations at the final whistle showed how much survival at intermediate level meant to Moate's players. SCORERS Moate All-Whites: G Murray 0-3, Alan Claffey, James Gillivan and Eoin Dalton (f) 0-1 each. Kilbeggan: J Brennan 0-2, D Marshall, D Fennell, D Keenan and M Fox 0-1 each. TEAMS Moate All Whites: David Mackey; Eamonn McDermott, Luke Kelly, David Whelan; Brendan Arigho, Pat McLoughlin, Alan Claffey; Lar Gillivan, Conor Costello; Gareth Murray, Pat Flaherty, Stephen Byrne; James Gillivan, Eoin Dalton, Damian Phelan. Subs: Mark Ennis for Byrne (HT), James Keenehan for Flaherty (45 mins), Eoin Minnock for Dalton (59). Kilbeggan Shamrocks: Adrian Carroll; Paul Maloney, Fergal Scally, Sean Pidgeon; Keith Gorry, Alan Fennell, Mel Kiernan; Emmett Dalton, James Brennan; Kevin Smith, David Marshall, Simon O'Neill; David Fennell, David Keenan, Matthew McCormack. Subs: Mick Fox for Marshall (25 mins), Jason O'Neill for S O'Neill (HT), David Marshall for J O'Neill (48), S O' Neill for Smith (58). Referee Mick McAdden (St Lomans)