Late Gavin goal earns Moore draw with champions

SOCCER: Norio’s Roscommon & District FL Premier Division

Moore United 1 Boyle Celtic 1

Eamon A. Donoghue reports

Moore United got a deserved draw with a late, late goal from substitute Patrick Gavin against Boyle Celtic in this RDFL Premier Division game at Falty Park last Sunday.

Michael Corrigan scored in the 75th minute for league champions Boyle and his goal had looked like the winner right up until deep in added time.

But with Charles Nevin continuously ploughing a lone furrow up front, the striker made one last burst in desperation to gain something. And when the ball was sent into the Boyle box, Gavin dived and got his head to the ball, putting it past Seán Conlon in the Boyle goal.

Boyle played against a strong blustery wind in the first half, but they kept the ball on the floor and passed it about, dominating the possession stakes. Although they were in possession for most of the first half, they rarely threatened Adam McManus in the Moore goal.

Dessie Carlos swung in a couple deep crosses into the box and Callum Andrews and Darren Foley had shots that went wide. But that was as much as the north Roscommon side offered up in attack for most of the first half.

Boyle did have a great chance of opening the scoring in the 13th minute. First, Conor Kelly, and then Shane Battles had attempts blocked before the ball fell perfectly for Andrews and his pile-driver was heading for the net until Shane Pettit bravely put his head between the ball and the goal line and the ball flew up and over off Pettit’s head. Pettit needed medical attention afterwards, proof of the left-back's courage for the cause.

Moore had little possession in the first half and the best they could muster up was attempts from distance from Jack Nevin, Rian Carpenter, Josh Lennon and Charles Nevin but to no avail. The sides went in at half-time scoreless.

Moore were much more progressive in the second half. They had the strong wind at their backs and the possession stakes were on more of an even keel.

Charles Nevin was working overtime up front and he started to threaten the Boyle goal. Nevin had a couple attempts that were warning signs for Boyle.

Lennon combined with Nevin to create an opportunity for James Byrne and his header went just over with Conlon beaten in the Boyle goal. Moore had created more opportunities in the first 15 minutes of the second half than they had for the previous 45 minutes.

With his sweet left foot, Gerard McDermottroe had the ability to test McManus a couple times and Corrigan probed continuously hoping for that one chance, but the scoreline remained blank into the last quarter.

Boyle then earned a free kick for themselves wide on the right. McDermottroe’s free kick was met by Corrigan on the volley and his effort beat McManus at the near post. Boyle had finally broken the deadlock and it was no more than they had deserved.

It was Moore that finished the stronger, though. In particular, Charles Nevin refused to accept defeat. Nevin forced a number of corners for Moore and they were getting closer but Boyle seemed to have withstood the onslaught as they looked to see out the win.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Moore went for it one last time with Nevin again very much involved. When Moore finally got the ball into Boyle’s box from Jason Ryan’s cross, substitute Patrick Gavin found himself all alone in the box. Gavin (a Connacht U20 medal winner with Roscommon last year) miraculously dived to get his head to the ball and managed to beat Conlon for the equaliser,

It was deserved overall on the flow of play in the second half and a point each was a fair result at the end.

Moore are now sixth in the table, three points adrift of leaders Boyle. Moore are a young organised, team and if they can keep the squad together for a few years, they could be capable of challenging for the title.

Man of the match: Charles Nevin (Moore United). Nevin battled alone up front and continuously took the game to Boyle. At the end of 90 minutes, it was Nevin who dragged his team into the attack and the equaliser came from his relentless efforts. Boyle full-backs Dessie Carlos and Gerard McDermottroe were prominent as their side enjoyed the majority of possession during the game.

Key moment: Shane Pettit’s goalbound clearance with his head was crucial. If Boyle had taken an early lead with the strong elements behind them, it’s likely that they would have pushed on for the win.

Moore United: Adam McManus, Jason Ryan, Shane Pettit, Shane Dunning, James Byrne, Kevin Kenny, Jack Nevin, Rian Carpenter, Josh Lennon, Charles Nevin, Mark Gannon. Subs used: Patrick Gavin for Gannon (H-T), Liam Ryan for J Nevin (79 mins).

Boyle Celtic: Sean Conlon, Dessie Carlos, Gerard McDermottroe, Matthew Bourke, Jake McCrann, Ciaran Harrington, Conor Kelly, Darren Foley, Shane Battles, Michael Corrigan, Callum Andrews. Subs used: Daniel Hughes for McCrann (H-T), Luke Roddy for Andrews (63 mins).

Referee: Paddy Coen.