TABLE-TOPPERS Moy Villa put in a performance of exceptional quality on the day they were crowned Division 2 champions, putting nine goals past a hapless Snugboro side to take the silverware at a canter last Sunday morning.

Villa piled on the pressure from the very start, with winger Martin Kielty and striker James Muldoon providing plenty shooting chances for each other. Muldoon was involved in the majority of first half talking points, and he helped put his side in front after 10 minutes when he won the ball inside the Snugboro penalty area and squared it to John Durkin at the far post, who made no mistake with a header from close range. The home side doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Stephen Moyles’ pass down the right flank picked out Muldoon, who showed great pace to carry the ball into the box and fire high into Leo Coyne’s net.

Two goals up within 20 minutes, Villa were cruising, and this torrent of pressure showed little sign of abating. Snugboro, who came into this match without any available substitutes, could do little to change the flow of the game, and found themselves pushed back into their own half for long spells. They conceded a third on the half-hour mark, as defender John Moyles rose highest to head home a corner.

Things looked bleak for the visitors, who had yet to register a shot on goal so far in the match. This soon changed, however, as Damien Togher broke free and fired a shot across the face of David Clarke in the Moy Villa goal, forcing a fine save from the outstretched goalkeeper. Normal service resumed after this brief scare, and the hosts grabbed a fourth goal before half-time, as Muldoon and Kielty linked up once again, and this time it was Kielty who calmly slotted home from 10 yards to give his side an unassailable lead. The contrast in emotions at the half time whistle was stark, Villa could see the silverware in their sights, while the visitors were left to reflect on what went wrong after a torrid first half.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first, and Stephen Moyles almost had the ball in the net within seconds of the restart, only to drag his close-range effort wide. The quality of their football at this stage was remarkable on such a soft pitch. The entire midfield were involved in some sweeping moves and swift passing, which almost always led to scoring chances. Mark Moyles soon added a fifth with a simple finish from six yards after four minutes of second-half play.

The closest Snugboro came to scoring was again through Damien Togher, who brought out the best in David Clarke as he tried to loft the ball over the ‘keeper’s head, only to be foiled once again by the Mayo GAA star.

Moy Villa ran riot in the closing stages, and Stephen Moyles got their sixth after 63 minutes. Muldoon, Moyles and Kielty continued their hunt for more goals, but it was substitute Ronan Conlon who shone in the latter stages, and the young striker found the back of the net within minutes of coming on when he latched on to a James Muldoon pass and showed great composure to fire a shot into the roof of the net. Conlon then scored Villa’s eighth, firing home a fantastic volley from 12 yards.

It was the final goal, however, that really summed up the Moy Vila performance on the day, as their two most impressive attacking players, Muldoon and Stephen Moyles, linked up for one final time to cap an excellent performance from both men. Moyles was left with an easy finish as Muldoon once again carved open the Snugboro defence with a sublime pass. The game may have been over as a contest since half-time, but the hosts showed great spirit to keep pushing for more goals, and were richly rewarded with this comprehensive win.

Mayo FA chairman Pat Quigley was on hand to present the Division 2 trophy to the players at the final whistle. Moy Villa stalwart Keith Moran, who was an ever-present part of their squad this season, was absent from this particular match, but will no doubt be delighted with the way the team performed. It has been an impressive year for the Attymass men, they will be hoping to make waves in Division 1 when the new campaign begins.

MOY VILLA: David Clarke, John Judge, Thomas Humbert, Shane Maughan, John Moyles, Stephen Moyles, Mark Moyles, Momme Reibish, John Durkin, James Muldoon, Martin Kielty. Subs: Brendan Lackey (for Reibish), Ronan Conlon (for Durkin), Stephen McKeown (for Kielty).

SNUGBORO B: Leo Coyne, Ronan O’Donnell, Stephen Clarke, Austin Lacey, Stephen McDonnell, Neil O’Donnell, Dermot Hynes, Kenneth Guthrie, Carl Cafolla, Joe McDonnell, Damien Togher.

REFEREE: Aiden Nevin.

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