As match after match was called off due to the bad weather Saturday the hardy boys (and a lady) from Mooncoin made their way in to St. Otterans and made the best of a new years game by grabbing a well earned win, their first of the season.

There was a very strong breeze in the first half which meant that all the play had to be on the ground and both Villa and Mooncoin did just that, getting some good passes going in both directions.

Mooncoin got the first goal on 5 minutes, a nicely taken goal by Sean O’D. Then there was a chance for Villa and a chance for Mooncoin, both just going wide. Then Mooncoin put the pressure on, winning the ball early and then a lob of keeper by Daniel PdL saw the ball tickle into the corner of the net 2 – 0 to the Coin.

May be it was the wind behind their backs, or may be their tails were up for the win but now the Mooncoin boys ( and one lady Ella B.) really got stuck in. The 3 lads at the back Cormac F. Lucus D. and Eoghan D. made sure to win the ball early and got their passes off quick and from there Connor W. and Ben D. both grab quick goals. Four goals to the good, but then a through ball and a fine run from one of the Villa lads saw a goal grabbed back and it was 4 – 1 at half time.

Now the hard part, playing against the wind, but any fears the coaches had melted away immediately, the boys ( and one lady) really played ball, pass and go, out towards the wings and down the line. Mooncoin were just as much a threat as they were in the 1st half. They had loads of chances in the 2nd half the Villa keeper made some great saves.

The Villa did catch Mooncoin once or twice, and on one of the occasions got another goal, 4 -2. No need for nerves though, the lads shot back a few times not to be denied a great win, Sean O’D caught a through ball and slotted it home cleanly. 5 – 2 to Mooncoin.

There were hugh smiles at the final whistle, a win at least, they’d been so close on a few occasions but not to be denied at the start of a great new year.

Fixtures for the weekend are as follows:
Sat 11th
U12 home to Villa KO 10:30
U16 home to Dungarvan KO 14:30
4th Div away to De La Salle KO 14:00
Sun 12th
2nd Div away to Portlaw KO 11:00
Youths away to Tramore KO 14:00
U12 Girls home to Dungarvan KO 14:00
After a great start to the year last weekend for some of our teams, we wish everyone playing this weekend, the very best of luck!

An excellent performance by the MCFC girls who gave Bohs a real fight today, particularly in the first half. Bohs were only 1 goal up after 30 minutes and were lucky to be so, considering that Luiseach Donohue had a stonewall penalty turned down by the ref.

Indeed the performances by all of the Mooncoin girls were outstanding. Bohs were put under pressure from the very start and they came up against a resolute defence and the best goalkeeper in the league. Kate McGrath was a revelation at right-back. Katie Phelan also put in a great first half in the middle of the park. Bohs finally managed a second goal immediately before half-time after Mia had pulled off a string of excellent saves.

Bohs managed to gain the upper hand early in the second half but the tackles kept on coming from the Mooncoin girls. We made a number of changes either side of half-time with Leah W , pushing through the middle relentlessly to put us on the attack. A few late goals put an inaccurate gloss on the scoreline, but there were a lot of positives with the girls’ first run out of 2020.

A derby win at any time is sweet and the lads dished out a happy new year to our near neighbours with a right auld beating. Goalscorers on the day were Ian Synnott, Neville Synnott, Andrew Norris, Brendan Bradley and two from the evergreen Gerry Walsh as the lads went top of the table albeit with more games played than the rest.

A quick start from the lads in sticky conditions had them one up after two minutes when Kevin Crowley bundled home from close range after Jamie Moore had an effort saved. Kilbarry to their credit came in to the game and deservedly equalized after sloppy defending. More sloppy defending nearly saw a second from Kilbarry just before half time.
Second half was even enough with both teams cancelling each other out. A couple of changes on the hour mark shook things up and a pin point delivery by Niall Madden was volleyed home by Adam Cunningham to send us towards three points. Overall a stop start performance with Kilbarry Rangers probably deserving a point.

Goals from Donnacha Hogan, Michael Ryan, a trade mark free kick (heavy deflection included) from Evan Cleary & Kieran Fagan saved the best for last with great finish to put the game beyond Ballyduff in cold conditions.
Man of the match was Donnacha Hogan.