Drumraney edge out Moyvore in wonderful final
Drumraney NS 2-18 Moyvore NS 3-10
By Gerry Buckley
Despite the weather turning a little nasty, the game of Gaelic football was the real winner in an enthralling penultimate match in TEG Cusack Park on Tuesday of last week, with Drumraney NS edging out Moyvore NS by a five-point margin.
There was never much between two evenly-matched sides, with the eventual winners ahead by 0-5 (three from Danny Convey, including two frees, and one each from Kate Convey and Shane Convey) to 0-3 (Mason Ruddy Murphy from a free, Fionn McLoughlin, and Jon Creagh Dillon) midway through the first moiety.
Three unanswered points for Drumraney NS (Shane Convey, Callan Reddin, and Danny Convey from a free) preceded a point at the other end from McLoughlin (after a fine piece of fielding).
The game’s first goal came via Reddin in the 18th minute, but a brace of McLoughlin points (open play and a free) had Moyvore NS well in contention when trailing by 1-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
The second half produced an absolute thrilling spectacle. The teams were level at the midpoint of the second half, with Drumraney (1-11) having scored three further points from the boots of the hard-working Kate Convey (two) and Danny Convey (one), and the losers (2-8) having netted twice via Ruddy Murphy (two superb finishes) and pointed twice courtesy of McLoughlin (one each from a free and open play).
However, the side in all-blue with a yellow trim finished the stronger and they outscored Moyvore by 1-7 to 1-2 in the final quarter. The winners’ goal was scored by Shane Convey, who also kicked three points.
The other four points were equally shared between Danny Convey (two frees) and Callan Reddin (two). The scorers for the team in yellow and blue were Creagh Dillon (a great goal), and a point apiece from McLoughlin (a free) and Ruddy Murphy.
After the game, the chairman of Cumann na mBunscol in Westmeath, Derek Butler presented the cup to joint-captains Danny Convey and Cathal Kelly, and the player of the match award to Kate Convey.
Scorers – Drumraney NS: S Convey 1-5, D Convey 0-7 (5f), C Reddin 1-3, K Convey 0-3. Moyvore NS: M Ruddy Murphy 2-2 (0-1f), F McLoughlin 0-7 (3f), J Creagh Dillon 1-1.
Drumraney NS panel: Cathal Kelly, Shane Convey, Kate Convey, Callan Reddin, Layla Fahey, Zoe Convey, Lúcás Molloy, Dillon Murtagh, Lorcán Leech, Emily McDonnell, Jack Kelly, Samuel Downes, Danny Convey, Rory Callaghan, Conall Gavin.
Moyvore NS panel: Róisín Rooney, Keira Burke Walsh, Jon Creagh Dillon, Emma Maguire, Fionn McLoughlin, Luke Creagh Kiernan, Mason Ruddy Murphy, Aoife Stephenson, Frankie Fleming, Owen Finn, Caoimhe Burke Walsh, Bronagh Rooney.
Referee: Mick McAdden.