Moore the merrier

When Corey Moore arrived back in Ireland from a two week holiday on Saturday evening, he could scarcely have believed how the next 24 hours of his life would play out.

For him, he was going to the Lumsden Cup final almost more of a supporter than and a player and certainly never imagined that he could end up being the goalkeeper that the team relied upon in a penalty shoot-out.

“We had a lovely holiday, only got back last night, I wasn’t expecting to come on at all there, I was just coming to support the boys and then all of a sudden you’re called on to go in goals. It’s a strange turn of events,” laughed Moore after Clonmullion's dramatic 6-5 shoot-out win over Clane Utd.

But when the team needed him, he stood up and first of all made a great to deny Dean Comiskey not long after he was on the pitch.

“That happened so quick, the ball was just bouncing around and it was just there in front of me. I just tried to use my legs because I knew I wouldn’t be quick to get down to it so I just went with my legs and thankfully it stayed out,” he said.

Then, came the penalty shoot-out and Moore’s moment to shine.

“My heart was in my mouth. I was hoping the boys could get the job done in extra time but before the shoot out I had some words of encouragement from Mick (Lawless) and Redders (Martin Redmond) when it went to penalties. The boys said trust your gut and just pick a side. I trusted my gut on the last one there and just went for it,” he said of his match winning save.

There’s sure to plenty of celebrations in Athy this week with this tight knit group.

“All the supporters drive us on and the boys on the management team keep pushing us on every week, step by step. We have a good strong community down there and everybody backs us no matter what,” said Moore.