A large U12D squad made the trip out to Ballinroad for a lively encounter on Saturday morning. The lads started off a little slowly and Ballinroad took advantage and grabbed an early goal, but gradually and surely Mooncoin got themselves back into the game, stuck to the principles and kept playing football.

The defensive team of Cathal, Eoghan, Cormac and Thomas were solid and laid a strong platform as the chances started to come a plenty for Mooncoin in the 2nd half. There was a well taken goal by Conor W. mid way through the 2nd half and from there a number of chances were created. In the last 2 minutes Mooncoin hit the side netting at least 3 times so near and yet so far.

However as the final whistle blew the points were shared. That’s an unbeaten run for the lads in 2020 and a sure sign that they’re settled into the league now.

The lads done really well for the majority of the game against the league leaders with the game in the melting pot at 1-0 with 10 minutes remaining but two late goals for Dungarvan put a flattering look on the final score.

They say lightning never strikes twice but the second Derby game in this league disproves that saying. Once again nothing between the 2 teams apart from a deflected free kick in the final 5 mins of the game, the exact same goal as our last meeting, hard to take after the lads worked so hard through the game. Best on the day for us was Finbarr Purcell.

A heavy pitch made attractive football hard to come by but these two teams done their best in tricky underfoot conditions. Dungarvan were the better side in the first half and displayed their superiority racing in to a two goal lead and could have been more only for Nathan Long stopping Dungarvan on a couple of occasions.
Just on half time a mistake at the back gave Lee Freyne an open goal to make it 2-1.
2nd half started and a reshaped Mooncoin had more chances and possession & got a right hold of the game. Adam Conway hit the crossbar, Alex Bailey hit the post, and it took a Kieran Fagan penalty to equalise after Rizgar was taken down in the box.
Man of the Match was Luke Ramasawmy just ahead of Ryan O Grady & Liam Quinn. A decent performance overall in a very competitive league.

Tomorrow:
U12A home to Piltown
Kick off 11.30
U12B away to Ballinroad
Kick off 12.30
U14 away to Dungarvan
Kick off 2.30
U16 home to Dungarvan
Kick off 2.30

Sunday
4th Division home to Dunmore
Kick off 11am
Youths away to Carrick
Kick off 2pm
U12 Girls home to Dungarvan
Kick off 2pm
Support for all teams would be much appreciated.

Our U10 Purple Girls Squad visited poleberry in cold conditions this morning to face Bohs and put in a solid performance throughout the game which had happy coaches afterwards and raring to get back to the training ground on Wednesday evening. All 10 girls done very well.

We went to near neighbours Kilmacow on Saturday. This was a game that we dominated from first whistle to final whistle. A strong run from Jamie Croke saw him crash the ball to the net 15 minutes in. We switched off and conceded a penalty against the run of play to make it 1 all. Two quick fire goals from Jamie again and Finbar Purcell made it 3-1 at the break. The second half went the same way as the first . We were soild at that back and dominated midfield and when Aidan Carroll was fouled in the box Canice Kinsella made it 4. Luke Geraghty finished the scoring when he calmy slotted home after a saved Aidan Carroll shot. Great performance from all 16 players that took to the field. This squad are improving game to game and now have that elusive first win.
Man of the match Ben Brennan, he terrorised their back four from start to finish.

Our U10 Girls put on a fantastic show this afternoon against Tramore in sunny conditions in Ashgrove.

A tight game throughout with very little between the two sides as it swung from end to end from the first whistle to the last. The progress these girls along with the Purple Squad are making is excellent and the hard work on the training pitch overseen by Ritchie Lynch, Mossie O’Donnell and Dee Travers is gradually paying off.

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.