Relief for Moynagh as Lacken bounce straight back

Damien Donohoe

Relief was the overriding emotion for Lacken captain Shane Moynagh as he lifted the Sean Leddy Cup, with victory over Templeport securing an immediate return to intermediate football.

After last year’s relegation, Lacken were determined to halt their slide. For Moynagh, the junior championship success represents a significant step towards longer-term ambitions.

“To be honest, relief,” he said when asked about his emotions. “At the start of the year, this was our goal. After relegation last year, we just wanted to build and try to stop the slide. Once you go down, it’s very hard to bounce back. Aidan (McCabe, manager) would have told us that not many teams drop to junior and bounce back the first year. It usually takes them two or three years. We wanted to avoid that.

“Massive relief and just great to get back to intermediate football. It’s probably just another step towards senior and eventually that’s our goal.”

Lacken’s resolve was tested immediately after half-time when Templeport struck the first two points to narrow the deficit to two. Moynagh acknowledged that the occasion brought nerves, with several players experiencing a county final for the first time.

“This is probably a lot of our boys’ first experience of a county final. I know it’s my first experience, so naturally enough there might be a little bit of nerves there,” he said.

“It probably took us a while to settle. The start of the second half was a bit nervy, but we weathered that storm and came through it.”

Having won the toss, Moynagh opted to play against the wind. Lacken’s confidence in their running game helped inform that decision, while Thomas Galligan provided a powerful outlet.

“We feel we’re more comfortable going through the hands. With or without the wind, I think we were quite comfortable,” he explained. “Thomas is a bulldozer. He’s a class player, so when you have that on your team, it’s always a massive asset.”

As Lacken found their rhythm after the break, Moynagh felt the cup was within reach.

“You start getting that feeling that it just might be our day, and it’s a nice feeling.”

However, conceding a late goal ensured there was something for manager Aidan McCabe to address before their Ulster campaign.

“We probably won’t be too happy with how we finished, conceding that goal at the end.

“Looking to Ulster, Aidan’s definitely going to show us that in the video work. Nice to get the win, but lots to look forward to for Ulster and lots to work on.”

Celebrations will be followed swiftly by a return to preparations.

“We’ll be back training Wednesday. We’d talked about, if we were to win, we’d be back Wednesday.

For full reaction to Lacken's JFC win, pick up this week's Anglo-Celt.