Moylan the ace as Youghal master Newmarket

Youghal 1-10 Newmarket 1-6

But there was a shining light in the shape of Youghal’s Paul Moylan. No question this Evening Echo Cork Co Premier IFC backdoor contest needed a bright spark and the sweet boot of the wing forward, who accounted for all but one point of his side’s total, provided it.

Moylan was inspirational, particularly in the closing five minutes when the game was still in the balance. True, most of his scores — including a penalty — came from dead ball situations. But, he was Newmarket’s nemesis, his positioning and easy movement always making him a thorn in the Duhallow side’s defence.

After a week of heavenly sunshine, the conditions must have had the players bemused. Still, it took only a minute for Newmarket to take the lead, a pointed free from Sean Francis O’Connor. But, with the wind and rain lashing down the pitch, good football was out of the question.

Despite playing against the gale Youghal did move the ball with purpose and, with Brendan Ring strong at centre-back, created many chances. Eoin Coleman had a couple of opportunities, Barry McCarthy missed a free, but finally they did manage to get the ball over the bar in the 15th minute, Moylan’s first free levelling the scores.

As Youghal continued to waste the chances, Newmarket, with Denis O’Brien and Ger McCarthy doing trojan work, were almost in for a goal in the 21st minute when Dave O’Flynn set up Kevin O’Connor but his shot a brilliantly saved by Pat Mackey.

Shane Anthony Murphy followed with a fine point to give Newmarket a 0-2 to 0-1 lead at the break though Newmarket keeper James Morgan also had to make a fine save from Brendan Coleman.

Thankfully, the rain abated for most of the second-half resulting in a half decent game of football and within a minute Youghal struck the first blow — Moylan slamming home a penalty after Micheal Ó Laochdha was upended.

But, if Youghal thought they were on their way with the driving wind at their backs, Newmarket, with Shane Murphy and McCarthy now taking a grip around midfield, made them think again.

Trailing 1-4 to 0-4 entering the final quarter, substitute Michael Hourigan began to make his presence felt and when he set up Sean Francis O’Connor for a 46th minute goal to tie up the scores it was game on.

Plenty of commitment from both sides now, good running and some good points and with five minutes remaining only a point separated the sides, Youghal leading 1-6 to 1-5.

But there was no stopping Moylan and with Ó Laochdha also finding the target Youghal’s extra bit of grit and senior know-how saw them through and back in the championship reckoning.

Scorers for Youghal: P. Moylan 1-9 (1-0 pen 0-6 frees), M. Ó Laocdha 0-1.

Newmarket: S.F. O’Connor 1-1 (0-1 free), SA Murphy, K. O’Connor (0-1 free) 0-2 each, D. O’Flynn 0-1.

YOUGHAL: P. Mackey; B. Ring, C. Coleman, S. Twomey; P. Kelly, B. Coleman, D. Ring; G. O’Leary, B. McCarthy; P. Moylan, E. Coleman, N. Roche; M. Ó Laochdha, J. Ormonde, R. Cronin.

Subs: P. Monahan for Ormonde, M. Walsh for Cronin, E. Fox for O’Leary.

NEWMARKET: J. Morgan; D. Moynihan, J. McSweeney, M. Fitzpatrick; P. O’Brien, D. O’Brien, G. Sheehan; S, Murphy, G. McCarthy; C. O’Sullivan, D. O’Flynn, M. Reidy; J. Lane, S.F. O’Connor, K. O’Connor.

Subs: M. Hourigan for Lane, T. O’Keeffe for O’Sullivan, D. Murphy for Fitzpatrick.

Referee: N. Brosnan (Killavullen).