With the sun shining brightly from early morning, today was always going to be a good day for football and so it proved to be as an unbeaten Park Rangers team came to Suir Crescent.

The early exchanges saw some good passing from Park Rangers and some fine defending from Mooncoin, although it was Mooncoin that got the first on target shots of the match.

This first half was a tight affair, with Will Walsh having to take command of his goal area a number of times. In injury time of the 1st half the deadlock was broken as the Park Rangers left-back hit a fine free kick in to the goal.

One nil down at half time and with the season on the line the next 30 minutes were crucial, and the Mooncoin boys were rightly up for it, apply pressure from the first seconds of the 2nd half.

The Park Rangers keeper made some good saves but Conor Walsh, Sean O’Donoghue, Finn Foskin and Will Mcloughlin all pushing hard and created some fine chances, and sure enough got back in to the game with a goal scored by Conor right on the line.

The Mooncoin tails were up and the boys kept applying pressure, and derseved to go ahead from another goal by Conor W.

Now it was time to dig in and Mooncoin were ready for it, with Ben, Eoghan, Naoise, Sam and Canice fighting for every ball. Naoise H. was just awesome in defence with a Franco Baresi display and if anything did come through Eoghan was in goal to mop it up.

In midfield Daniel, Charlie and Luke worked their socks off and gave it everything and Sam Murphy came on to ensure the tight defense remained unbreakable.

The whistle went, Mooncoin won 2-1 and go top of the u13b league and the shouts of joy could be heard all over the village.

The Academy Boys headed to Williamstown, the home of De La Salle for a set of exciting matches today.

The De La Salle crew were fantastic hosts and we can’t wait to have them out in Mooncoin soon.

Friday was a great evening for football as the Mooncoin Academy girls hosted girls from Piltowns.

There was loads of super play during the games, some great goals and there were so many girls teams that the photographer couldn’t get around to all the teams.

A windy Saturday for the visit of league leaders unbeaten Park Rangers, and after an under par 1st half, where we gave away two really soft goals.

We had a chat in our new dressing room and came out and really took it to Park Rangers. Josh scored a cracker from outside the box in the first 10mins to get us back in the game , then a short time later Anil bended a beauty in to top corner.

Park Rangers were rattled, we had two good chances and a big call for a penalty not given from a clear hand ball.

Park Rangers got two late goals on the break showing the good side they are.

Overall we were delighted with 2nd half performance and hope we learn from the soft goals.

MoM in this one was Anil for the amount of ground covered and hard work. Special mention for Connor Walsh on his first start and was unlucky not to score.

A sunny start in Piltown for the u12s though a strong wind made it very difficult for both teams to play good football.

A cagey scoreless first half with limited chances for both teams. The second half opened up and Piltown took the lead from a break through the middle halfway through the second half.

The lads picked themselves up and despite the pressure the Piltown defence stayed resolute and the match finished 1-0.