Moate dreams shattered by late goal

Defeat doesn"t come any more heartbreaking than this. As this Leinster Colleges SF "A" semi-final in Tubber last Friday night moved into injury-time, Moate CS held a two-point lead and looked set for a first ever appearance in a provincial decider at this level.However, the decisive act in the late drama was still to come, as St Mary"s, Edenderry, substitute Philip Foy clinched victory for his side with a last-gasp goal.There was a huge crowd at the well-appointed Tubber venue for this game - indeed, Tubber club officials said it was undoubtedly the largest attendance ever at the ground - and there was spine-tingling excitement in the closing stages. With about two minutes left, Moate CS went 0-6 to 0-4 ahead This was the first time in this semi-final that more than one point separated the sides.Moate had a chance to go three clear but Bernard Allen sent a tricky free wide. Edenderry"s winning goal was partly down to Moate"s naivety from the following kick-out. A large number of Moate players congregated around midfield, in the hope of winning possession for their side and setting up a score that would put them further in front. Moate did win the kick-out but, when Edenderry regained possession, they were able to exploit the huge gaps in the Moate defence.By the time the ball reached Anton Sullivan in prairies of space, there was no Moate player close enough to put in a challenge and Sullivan passed the ball to the totally unmarked Philip Foy. The substitute"s finish was clinical, driving a low which beat Moate "keeper James Egan at his near post.One had to give credit to Edenderry for winning this game, considering that they only won their quarter-final against Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, two days previously. Managed by Emmet McDonnell from Kinnegad, Edenderry will now meet Good Counsel, New Ross, in the Leinster final, after the Wexford side defeated St Joseph"s, Rochfortbridge, in the other semi-final.The game"s first score came in the 8th minute, after Richie Dunne"s "45" was caught by Ballymore"s John Gilligan. The latter played the ball back to Dunne, who fired a low trajectory shot just over the bar. The Offaly side drew level in the 12th minute, Anton Sullivan pointing a free after Kieran Martin was penalised for picking the ball off the ground.Scores proved elusive as the scrappy fare continued. On 22 minutes, three of Edenderry"s key players - Stuart Cullen, Anton Sullivan and Kildare"s Paul Cribbin - linked up effectively, with Sullivan"s pass paving the way for Cribbin to point.The sides were level again in the 21st minute, Bernard Allen converting a free, which Graham Guilfoyle had earned with a sniping run. Edenderry"s Shane Forde put his side back in front as some loose marking crept into the Moate defence.The final score of the half went to Moate and it ensured the sides went in at half-time on level terms (0-3 each). Bernard Allen was again the scorer from a free, after John Gilligan"s forceful run drew the foul this time.Moate had five wides in the first half as opposed to three for Edenderry. In total, Moate ended the game with 11 wides to Edenderry"s seven.After three wides early in the second half (two for Edenderry), the first score of the half was a truly brilliant individual point by Stuart Cullen (41st minute). At the other end, Maryland"s Kieran Martin was unlucky not to emulate Cullen"s feat following a great solo run.Moate lacked composure up front for long spells of this game and much of their shooting was rushed and over-ambitious. As an equaliser continued to elude them, Rosemount"s James Geoghegan was narrowly off target from an acute angle and John Gilligan shot into the arms of Edenderry goalie Shane Geoghegan when he should have done better.Corner-back Brian Finnerty seemed a strange choice to take two Moate "45s, which came in quick succession. Neither of them came close to going over the bar, but the second kick eventually led to a free-in which Allen pointed in the 54th minute, to finally draw Moate level.The Westmeath side missed a good chance to take the lead when Graham Guilfoyle"s finish failed to match his solo run. However, Moate got their noses in front in the 58th minute with a sumptuous point from Bernard Allen. Kieran Martin found Allen with a short free and the Ballycumber/Tubber man"s finish off the outside of his left foot was sublime.Moate (coached by Dessie Dolan, Gary Flanagan and Peter Tormey) were now on top and they pressed forward again. Wing-back Darren Malynn sent the ball goalwards and, although Edenderry "keeper Shane Geoghegan fielded possession, his pass went awry after pressure from Moate substitute Oran McIntyre. Richie Dunne seized on the loose ball and sent over his second point, sparking rapturous cheers among the large Moate support.Great work in the right corner from Bernard Allen let to a free-in, which resulted in two Edenderry defenders being booked, Des Holton (who fouled Allen), and Jake Kavanagh (seemingly for dissent). But Allen"s free went narrowly wide and Moate were left guarding that dangerous two-point lead.And then came Philip Foy"s dramatic goal. There was still some time for Moate to force extra-time, but the closest they came to an equaliser was a shot under pressure from Allen which went wide.Scorers: St Mary"s: P Foy 1-0; P Cribbin, S Forde, S Cullen, A Sullivan (f) 0-1 eachl. Moate CS: B Allen 0-4 (3f); R Dunne 0-2.St Mary"s, Edenderry: Shane Geoghegan; Conor Grehan, Mark Young, Des Holton (capt.); Ben Kenny, Derek Kelly, Jake Kavanagh; Paul Cribbin, Stephen Guing; Shane Forde, Anton Sullivan, Darren Garry; Stuart Cullen, Mark Bergin, Philip Farrell. Subs: Lorcan Pender for Garry (38 mins); Brian O"Flaherty for Bergin (46); Philip Foy for Pender (54).Moate Community School: James Egan; Oisin Robbins, Kevin Maguire, Brian Finnerty; Darren Malynn, Shane Mulvihill, John Ledwith; Graham Guilfoyle, Kieran Martin (capt.); Richie Dunne, John Gilligan, James Geoghegan; Bernard Allen, Darren Scanlon, Andrew Cushen. Subs: Oran McIntyre for Cushen (53 mins).Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford).