Adamson leads Moate boys to impressive victory
St Oliver Plunkett BNS 2-10 Scoil Chroí Naofa 1-7
By Shane King
A superb second-half display from St Oliver Plunkett BNS, Moate saw them capture the division two boys football title in style at TEG Cusack Park last Thursday evening.
In dry conditions, midfielder Tom Adamson produced a standout performance, scoring an impressive 1-10 as the Moate school pulled away after the break.
Scoil Chroí Naofa, Rochfortbridge remained in contention for long periods thanks to an outstanding display from goalkeeper Oisín McCormack, who made a series of fine saves, while a well-taken goal from Cillian Gavin helped his side lead by a point at half-time.
However, the second half belonged to the Moate side, with Adamson taking control and contributing 1-5 after the restart to guide his team to the title.Rochfortbridge opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Aaron Robinson converted an excellent long-range free, but Moate responded quickly through Tom Adamson, who pointed from play after good work by Jerry Ward.
Matthew Geraghty and Adamson traded pointed frees before Moate struck for the game’s opening goal. Conor Adamson reacted quickest after his initial effort was saved by McCormack to finish to the net.
Scores continued to flow at both ends as the contest remained evenly balanced. Rochfortbridge hit back with a crucial goal when Cillian Gavin cleverly lobbed the goalkeeper, and Adam Dunphy followed up with a point to leave the sides level. Conor Adamson had another opportunity for a goal, but McCormack again came to Rochfortbridge’s rescue with a brilliant save that forced a ’45, which Tom Adamson calmly converted.Rochfortbridge finished the half strongly and took a one-point lead into the interval courtesy of a well-struck free from Matthew Geraghty and a tidy point from Jamie Cully.
Moate emerged with renewed energy after the break, with Tom Adamson continuing to dominate the midfield battle. Two fine points pushed his side ahead before Geraghty levelled matters once more with a free.
The defining moment arrived soon afterwards when Adamson burst through and fired emphatically to the top corner of the net to put Moate three points clear. Adamson added a converted ’45 and two pointed frees in the closing stages as Moate finished strongly to secure a deserved victory.
The triumph marks another major step forward for the Moate school, who built on last year’s Division 3 success by going one better and claiming the Division 2 crown.
Scorers - St Oliver Plunkett BNS: T Adamson 1-10 (3f, 3 ‘45), C Adamson 1-0. Scoil Croí Naofa: M Geraghty 0-3 (3f), C Gavin 1-1, A Robinson (1f), A Dunphy and J Cully 0-1 each.
St Oliver Plunkett BNS, Moate - William Heduvan, Hugo Moro, Oran Johnston, Cillian Fox, Ryan Mahon, Cillian McLaughlin, Sam Mellett, Tom Adamson, Luke McCrossan, Eoin Piekta, Jerry Ward, Conor Adamson, David Dolan, Darragh Flood, Daniel Rosney, Leo Mvula, Thady Joyce, Finn McArdle, Zack Quinlisk, Max Rogoza, Fionn Price, Jamie Farrell, Johnny Joyce, Logan Ross, Musa Atshaan, Kevin Buckley, Shane Wilson, Luca De Klerk.
Scoil Croí Naofa, Rochfortbridge - Oisín McCormack, Shay Cooney, Broghán Jessop Duff, Kai Kennedy, Conor Gavin, Reuben McGreal, Cillian Gavigan, Aaron Robinson, Adam Dunphy, Matthew Geraghty, Jaiden Carroll, Charlie Boylan, Jamie Cully, Marco Trigo Lysrer, Kyle O’Rourke, Michael Rigney, Adam Marey, Sean Larkin, David Donoghue, Leon McCarthy Gahan, Mason McNab, Tom Colleary, Tom Farrell, Jayden Kelly-Jessop, Daithí Cooney, Ted Fallon, Sam Ireland, Ryan Marry, Liam Reilly.
Referee - John Bawle.
*See this week's print edition for a special 20-page supplement on the Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol finals.