By Mike Rafferty

A twelve goal encounter is certainly rare in top flight football, but in Headford on Friday night, Moyne Villa and Mervue United actually shared the spoils in a 6-6 draw in their Premier Division clash.

What makes it more intriguing is that the home side were four goals up with just 15 minutes to go, so huge credit must be given to the visitors who kept chasing what seemed a lost cause and as Mervue gradually wore down the home side, they got their reward with the late goals.

Mervue United manager Ollie Neary described the game as unique. “I don’t think I ever experienced a game like it. We enjoyed a lot of possession in the opening half and yet we went in two down at the break. While we did not help ourselves at times, it seemed that everything they hit found the net.

“However, we have to credit the lads for the comeback, as they never gave up on the challenge of getting back into the game. At the same time we have to say that we did not cover ourselves in glory, but at least the following morning we were able to look back on the game with a better feeling having picked up a point, rather than a gut feeling if that recovery never happened”.

“Moyne Villa are a good side and that is the second time they have held us to a draw and they are the only points we have dropped all season,” added Neary.

It was the home side who made the most of the opening half opportunities as they led by 2-0 at the break. Dara Forde fired them ahead with a cracking finish after he cut in from the wing, before Padraig Cunningham added a second after chasing a ball over the top and finishing past Tom Meehan.

The visitors pulled one back quickly on the resumption as Aaron Neary scored. Moyne Villa quickly made it 4-1 when Aidan Coyne drove home a free kick for the third, before Cunningham gave them a three goal advantage. Neary responded with his second to make it 4-2, before Cunningham hit goal number five to complete his hat trick.

Pictured: The Salthill Devon U-18 team which overcame Bearna na Forbacha (1-nil) in a Galway League tie in Drom. Back row, left to right: Conor Kelly, coach, Oisin Kelly, Daniel Gilmore, Daniel Mitchell, Conor Fogarty, Kyle Cosgrove, Paul Monaghan, Oisin McMahon, Greg Maher, Paddy Smyth and Pete Kelly. Front row: Raph Hoy, Michael Monaghan, George Gallagher, Kian O’Connel, Conor Comer, Luke Mangan and Matthew Hosty.