An evenly contested game was played with plenty chances for both teams throughout. We conceded half way through the first half from a corner that took a massive deflection to see the ball in the back of the net. We equalised before half time through great team play by Teddy D, Oisin O H, Pete D and Billy F with Billy hammering it home to make it 1-1. The 2nd half saw more chances created but it wasn’t to be. Shay M was introduced in the 2nd half getting very unlucky with a free kick being saved on to the crossbar and later on giving a great long ball to put Oisin through where he was very unlucky not to score with the keeper making a great save. The goalkeeper Oscar O K and the back 3 of Luke H, Tom D, Dylan O H were very solid throughout. Plenty positives to take with this young group and another point on the board.

Our first home league match against Villa saw a flat performance from the lads in the first half with 3 goals from the visitors. A good save from their keeper denied Tommy what looked like a certain goal. A much better second half performance from the lads with more grit and possession saw Robbie get a goal back. The second goal didn’t come and a 4th breakaway goal for Villa resulted in a final 4-1 scoreline that flattered them.

After 80 minutes of football, it took a penalty shoot out to seperate these two fine sides in sticky conditions. Our boys set out to take the game to Southend but couldn’t break them down in the first half while Southend found chances scarce to come by too. They did take the lead just on half time with a brilliant free kick to go in 1 up. Second half saw a determined push by our boys and they created plenty chances while Tyler K was in top form keeping Southend out. Conall D grabbed the equaliser after a Ryan S free kick was parried. We continued to push for the winner but no joy. Extra time saw us create lots of chances with Richard H rattling the Southend crossbar, Ryan S and Will D also went very close to grabbing the winner. The dreaded penalty shoot out was always going to be tough and unfortunately our boys came out the wrong end of it. A brilliant , disciplined performance by all on duty for the 80 minutes. Fair play to the referee, Southend players and officials for their kind words to our lads after the game.

Our u16 girls had to hit the road again in the Cup after the game was called off last week due to the weather. And an absolute Thriller of a game was played today it would’ve been fitting for Halloween last week.
We travelled up to Kilkenny to play Stoneyford fc at the watershed.
The opening few minutes both teams were checking out the opposition but it was Mooncoin that had the ball in the Stoneyford net with a super goal by Aoibhe Rees on 18 minutes. And as quick as a flash Áine Connery had doubled the score. As the first half continued the girls pushed on and about five minutes before the break Áine bagged her second of the day. Stoneyford pulled one back just before halftime. Second half Stoneyford pushed on and pulled a second one back. Our girls were after squandering a couple of great chances and with 15 minutes left Stoneyford grabbed an equaliser. Both teams were giving it everything at this stage. Luckily for Mooncoin we had the great Áine on hand to grab her hatrick and a fourth for the visitors. We had to endure a hectic few minutes at the end. I think Stoneyford had about 8 corners in the second half. But the character of the Mooncoin girls came through and they got over the line. Final score Stoneyford 3 Mooncoin 4. Our next round is away to Clonmel in 3 weeks time.

Another away trip for this group in a SFAI competition and the girls put in a mighty effort throughout and unfortunately came out the wrong end of a very tight game. Good experience for all involved.

The boys travelled this morning to play St Joseph’s in what was a 50/50 game the whole way throughout until the last 10 minutes when we were caught ball chasing twice to cause 2 very soft goals. St Joseph’s were gifted a 3rd when the ball was kicked straight to the striker to tap in the goal right before full time to take the 3 points. Although the result wasn’t good there were plenty positives to take from the first 50 minutes of the game.