Holloway and Maguire goals set Moate up for win

MOATE Community School are one of two Westmeath teams remaining in this year's Leinster Colleges SF 'A' Championship after an overwhelming victory over Salesian College, Celbridge at Moate on Tuesday. Following the exits of Marist College and Athlone Community College, the pressure was on Moate CS to deliver and maintain an interest in the competition in this part of the county. But Peter Tormey's troops were well drilled and focused on the day, and simply blew away the challenge of Salesian College. First-half goals from John Maguire, a penalty, and the hugely impressive Patrick Holloway, put Moate in a comfortable position at the interval, leading 2-6 to 0-2, and a further six points during the second half left Moate twelve points ahead at the final whistle. Moate now progress to the quarter-finals of the Leinster Colleges championship, and on the evidence of this high-tempo performance will fancy their chances of further advancement as the competition reaches its critical stages. The nature of this victory was extremely comfortable, and Moate will undoubtedly face stiffer opposition in the last eight, but Peter Tormey's side showed a marked improvement from their opening round performance against Scoil Dara, Kilcock, despite missing the services of the unfortunate Luke Kelly. Kelly suffered a nasty leg break in the win over Scoil Dara, but was in attendance at Tuesday's game to cheer on his team-mates to a well-deserved win. Despite Moate's overall dominance, it was actually Salesian who registered the game's opening score, with midfielder Paddy Brophy slotted over a free from a tight angle. Moate quickly took control though, and were level in the fifth minute thanks to a well-taken free by Cian Bradley.After a converted free in the sixth minute d by David McCormack, a free-flowing handpassing move by Moate reaped further reward. Ballycumber's Sam Lawlor, and Castledaly duo Patrick Holloway and Darragh Kelly were all involved, with Holloway eventually getting hauled to the ground for a penalty, which was sent to the back of the Salesian net by John Maguire. Lorcan Dolan then won possession in behind his marker, and tucked over a very neat score, before Daniel Kelleher (who led the attack well), was denied a goal by Salesian goalkeeper Shane McNamara. In the 13th minute, Darragh Kelly teed up Holloway, who shot for goal but saw his effort crash against the crossbar and go over for a point. Celbridge replied briefly through a Brophy point, but Moate added another in the 19th minute through Lawlor. Moate's second goal then followed in the 20th minute. Lorcan Dolan's pinpoint pass picked out Holloway and his clever burst forward was rewarded as he calmly slotted the ball into the net. David McCormack added further gloss to the half-time scoreline, leaving Moate 2-6 to 0-2 at the break. Celbridge started the second half quite well thanks to points from Graham Markey and Shane O'Flynn, but a free from Cian Bradley kept Moate in control. Salesian's David Hughes managed a free to bring the score back to 2-7 to 0-5, but Moate were largely dominant and in complete control of their destiny. Points were added to Moate's tally by David McCormack and Darragh Kelly, while Celbridge replied through another Hughes free. Two frees in quick succession from Bradley, as the game reached its latter stages, had Moate in cruise mode, before substitute Jack O'Kelly-Lynch finished off the scoring with his very first touch of the ball. SCORERS: Moate CS - P Holloway 1-1, J Maguire 1-0, C Bradley 0-4 (4f), D McCormack 0-3 (2f), L Dolan, S Lawlor, D Kelly, J O'Kelly-Lynch 0-1 apiece. Salesian College - P Brophy 0-2 (1f), D Hughes 0-2 (2f), G Markey and S O'Flynn 0-1 apiece. MOATE CS: Joe Kinahan; Robert Gorman, Lee Colgan, Jack O'Meara; James Ganly, Eamon McCabe, Patrick Holloway; John Maguire, David McCormack; Darragh Kelly, Cian Bradley, Jack Linnane; Lorcan Dolan, Daniel Kelleher, Sam Lawlor. Subs: Ciaran Dolan for Lawlor (52 mins), Jamie Madden for Ganly (54), Jack O'Kelly O'Lynch for Holloway (58), Ciaran Finnerty for Kinahan (58). SALESIAN COLLEGE, CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; Brian Nolan, Jason Doran, Conor Daly; Eoghan Markey, Tomás Doolin, Aaron Hogan; Conor Brady, Paddy Brophy; Paul Kelly, Garry Keegan, David Collins; David Hughes, Kevin Murphy, Shane O'Flynn. Subs: Jordan Morrissey for Paul Kelly and Rory Feehan for Nolan (both HT). REFEREE: Tom Donohoe (Longford).