Kilmainham 1-18, Moynalty 2-15

The big one, the first round of the championship on a gorgeous sunny evening for football in front of a large crowd in Grangegodden. Kilmainham and Moynalty locked horns on Friday 7th August 2026. There had been plenty of talk in the build-up this match but as expected, there was little to separate the sides at the final whistle. 

Our lads started the match well, gaining possession and moving it patiently with Moynalty funnelling back to keep their defence compact as expected. Larry Morgan had an attempt that went wide, then Dylan Morgan tapped over a free after a foul and Shane Morgan scored a good point from play after 5 minutes. Moyanlty replied on 7 minutes with a brilliant finish to the Kilmainham net after a break away attack from a kick out. Larry Morgan then had two point attempts good wide after some good team moves cut through the Moynalty defence. Moynalty then hit a good 2 pointer from distance. Mickey Newman then slotted over a point. Moyanlty replied with a good point from play. Then disaster for Kilmainham as Moyanlty scored their second goal on 13 minutes after another break away attack down the middle. Moynalty had all the momentum and were leading by 8 points, Kilmainham were struggling to get possession and faced wave after wave of Moynalty attack. Kilmainham don’t do panic and were in no mood to let Moynalty run away with this. Dylan Morgan clipped over a nice point from a free on 14 minutes after another foul. Moynalty replied with a point before Dylan scored a point from play. He was proving a handful to the Moynalty defence, as they continuously fouled him as he attempted to get in behind his man. Moynalty kicked another point from play before Michael Hoey kicked a brilliant 2 pointer. The game was end to end but Kilmainham were starting to get a grip on this game and had closed the gap. Dylan kicked another free before landing a superb 2 pointer from a free. Mickey Newman then fired over a point from play on 22 minutes. Dylan Morgan then clipped over another free before Moynalty got a soft free that was converted in injury time to give them a 2-point lead as the referee blew for half-time. Our leaders really stood up and wrestled the game back after a shaky start. 

Half-time score: Kilmainham 0-11, Moynalty 2-7

Kilmainham were determined to go for the win, but it was Moynalty who got the first point of the second half with a pointed free to lead by 3 points. Kilmainham were going nowhere. Mickey Newman spun his marker and was in on goal but unfortunately his effort went over the bar instead of under for a point. A let off for Moynalty. Mickey Hoey showed unbelievable leadership to land an outrageous 2 pointer from play. Despite all the close attention all afternoon he remained calm and wasn’t afraid to shoot. Moynalty hit their own 2 pointer and followed this up with another free and then scored another 2 pointer. They led by 5 points. Yet again Kilmainham responded as they have done all year, showing unbelievable character and 

determination to fight back. Dylan Morgan continued his accurate free taking with another free, corner back Jamie O’ Sullivan scored a nice point and Morgan sent over another two free’s on the 14th and 17th minute as Moynalty continued to foul the Kilmainham forwards as they cut through their defence. Lewis Curran had a half attempt for a goal saved by the Moynalty keeper and Dylan Morgan saw a free attempt go wide from distance and Mark Newman had another point attempt go wide. Moynalty then scored a free after a good break away attack. They led by 2 points. Kilmainham had started to dominate midfield and the Moynalty kick out and on 26 minutes they got their reward from constant pressure when Larry Morgan held off his man to shoot for the Moynalty goal. His mis hit effort trickled under their goalie and bounced over the line. Goal for Kilmainham. Kilmainham up by 1 point with 4 minutes to go. Moynalty threw everything at us to rescue the game but there was some heroic defending and some brilliant turnovers in the Kilmainham defence to keep them out. Kilmainham should have saw this match out, but they gave away and lost possession at vital times. It looked like they would still get the win, but the referee played 3 additional minutes and Moynalty got a free that was brought forward. They converted it to level the match with the last kick as the referee blew for full-time. A pulsating game of football that ebbed and flowed through out the match. This was a brilliant advertisement for Junior B football. Both teams went at it in a good sporting match and could not be separated on the day. 

In round two, we will take on Drumconrath and Moynalty will face Kilmainhamwood. Our second team are out next Saturday 15th August against Drumconrath at 6pm in Drumconrath 

We have to give a big shout out to the massive crowd of both young and old that turned up to cheer us on. It felt like the whole of Kilmainham was present and had our back, especially when things weren’t going well. Your support drove the players on and is really appreciated. See you all for round two. Thanks to our neighbours Gaeil Colmcille for the warm hospitality. 

Best for Kilmainham were: Dylan Morgan, Mickey Newman, Michael Hoey, Stephen Newman and Jamie O’ Sullivan. 

Kilmainham: Terence Daly, Jamie O’ Sullivan (0-1), Stephen Newman, Phily Mahon, Seanie Mahon, Harry Newman, Lewis Curran, Declan Mullen, Mickey Newman (0-2), Shane Morgan (0-1), Ger Morgan, Michael Hoey (0-4), Dylan Morgan (0-10), Larry Morgan (1-0), Mark Newman. 

Subs: Andy Arkins for Seanie Mahon, Freddie Newman for Mark Newman, Scott Lynch, Dean Peppard, Fergal Black, Jake O’ Rourke, Shane Butler, Troy Flanagan, Conor Kilgallen and Adam McManus. 

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