A share of the spoils on the opening days of the season for both side’s, on what turned out to be a game of two halves. Within a minute Southend were one up.

A ball threaded through the Mooncoin defense found Kelly wrong footed. The ball was slotted home casually into the bottom corner of the Mooncoin net.

The away side held good possession for most of the first half with Mooncoin trying to come to terms with the fast moving formation of Southend. The battle was finally won back by Mooncoin in final 10 minutes of the half but chances for both sides remained few and far between. A different approach was taken at half time and Mooncoin shaped up an altogether different proposition. Pressing high up the field, tackles arriving in numbers and each getting stronger than the last.

The spirit of old was begining to show and Mooncoin relentlessly pushed forward and attacked at will. Southend were retreating and struggled to hold onto any possession of the ball. The away side were bombarded with an onslaught of balls fired into their penalty area, but to their credit, dealt admirably to the task. The clock was running out and with 5 minutes remaining Eoghan Walsh attacked the the left hand flank for the home side, pulled it back to Kelly who crossed it into the head of Kavanagh and he unfortunately from 6 yards out, put it straight into the keepers hands. On 90 minutes a ball was whipped into the box to Ian Synnott who was pushed hard from behind, penalty surely? But the referee didn’t oblige. Deep into added time Mooncoin threw one last roll of the dice. A ball crossed in from the right found the head of Kavanagh deep in the box, his header down found Sauvage who got in behind the full back and from the byline crossed a ball over the head of the last remaining Southend centre half, Kelly, with his knee, slotted the ball into the net from 4 yards and Mooncoin went into jubilation.

The game finished up one a piece and was a fair result for both sides who will both of taken many positives from this performance. The spirit and tenacity of the Mooncoin squad was exceptional. Still much to work on and with some more key names to return we look forward to the season ahead. Next up for Mooncoin is a fixture away to Piltown in 7days time. Team: R.O’KEEFFE, J.SAUVAGE, C.O’HANLON, I.TOBIN, W.KELLY, D.SYNNOTT, K.DOWLEY, K. O’BRIEN, J.O’HANLON, I.SYNNOTT, J.KAVANAGH. Subs: D.TEBAY, R.WALSH, E.WALSH, B.KEATING, N.MCDONALD, K.KNOX

2A home to Southend, kick off 7pm.
Our first team kick off the season for the club when they entertain city club Southend. After last years league success, confidence will be high going in to this one. The very best of luck to Wayne and the squad.

A birdseye view of the new ground as preparation continues before grass is sown on both pitches.

And the winner of our competition for 2 tickets to our dinner dance with a complimentary bottle of wine is…..Neville Synnott….well done Neville, you were the closet to guessing all the missing faces in the pictures. To redeem your prize, please contact the page or Michelle directly.

The very best of luck to former Mooncoin Celtic player Killian Hogan tomorrow as he lines out for Kilkenny minor hurlers in the All Ireland final against Galway. A very promising schoolboy player with the club in recent years, to reach an All Ireland is a brilliant achievement by Killian who has made his family, club and parish very proud with his achievements. Fingers crossed a winners medal will be on the mantelpiece tomorrow evening.

Thanks to Outfield Sports for kitting us out this season ⚽️??

15 players travelled to play in their first schoolboy tournament outside of the county and a great day was had by all. We went up against a strong Ballyouster (Kildare) side who attacked from start to finish winning 4-1, with Patrick Dermody getting the consolation goal and dedicating it to Coach Rocky (RIP).

Next up was Moone Celtic (Kildare). A lot was learned from the first game so a few positional changes were made notably Patrick Dermody moving into centre midfield scoring 2 more brilliant goals. Eoin O’Callaghan got his season scoring off to a start with a brilliant strike. Matthew Walsh finished the game off controlling a cross and striking it into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance.

Our last group game seen us go up against a strong Ferns Utd (Wexford) team and we were under pressure from the start losing the game 4-0. Most notably in this game Jake Moore pulled of a fantastic penalty save diving to his left and holding onto the ball. There was a long lunch break after the group games which seen a Mooncoin Celtic penalty shootout with both parents and coaches getting involved.

The Shield Quater Finals seen us drawn against Allenwood Celtic (Kildare) and we were again fighting from the start with a goal conceded 2 mins into the game. Jamie Croke went close to equalising after a ball over the top seen there keeper come out to try and collect it and Jamie hitting it first time just wide of the post. Our lads looked tired from the start and with us pushing forward to try and equalise we went 2-0 down. A glimpse of hope seen an own goal scored with 5 mins left to play and a penalty appeal was turned down, it just wasn’t to be. A great day was had by all and a lot was learned.

The lads finished the day off with a trip to McDonalds in Kilkenny. A big well done to all involved.
SQUAD; J.Moore (C), M.O’Keefe, C.O’Keefe, D.O’Shea, S.Brennan, L.Joy, E.O’Callaghan, P.Dermody, E.Blackmore, C.Byrne, M.Walsh, A.Dunphy, M.Cronin, B.O’Hanlon, J.Croke.

Our u13s before they left for Portlaoise at 7.15 this morning.

At the minute they have played 3 games, winning one and losing two and will enter the shield section. We will keep updates coming as soon as they land.

A few preseason fixtures over the weekend for a few of our sides.
Tomorrow: 2A at home to Kilmacow, kick off 2pm
4th division home to Kilmacow, kick off 5pm.
Sunday: youths home to Tramore, kick off 11am.
Our U13 squad travel to Portlaoise for a preseason tournament where they will play 3 group games against
Ballyouster United (Kildare),
Ferns United (Wexford) and
Moone Celtic (Kildare) before the competition splits into the cup and shield sections.
Best of luck to all teams as they prepare for the new season.