Gavin scores nine points as late scoring burst sees Moorefield edge out Clane

MOOREFIELD 2-17 CLANE 3-12

REECE Gavin scored nine points as Moorefield overcame a slow start to lay down something of marker in the Senior B Hurling Championship by beating Clane 2-17 to 3-12 on Tuesday evening in Manguard Park.

Both sides came into the game having won the opening two rounds and it was Clane who made the better start with goals from Simon Healy and Sean Christianseen giving them a 2-1 to 0-1 lead after just eight minutes.

But Moorefield put that disappointment behind them and chipped away that lead and Muiris Curtin (2), Niall Barry and Gavin were all on the scoresheet as they halved the gap over the next five minutes.

Clane were able to push on again and at one stage led by five points but when Alex Bell struck a first goal for the Moores in the 25th minute there was just a point between the teams.

That was all that separated the sides at the break, Clane leading 2-7 to 1-9, but as in the first half, Clane wasted no time in finding the Moorefield net once play resumed. This time it was county goalkeeper Paddy McKeena, who finished the game with 1-4, who shot past David Carroll.

Once again, Moorefield had to hold their nerve and when Gavin scored in the 52nd minute there was just the minimum between the sides again but when Christianseen and McKenna replied to push Clane three points clear with four minutes to go it looked like it would their night.

But it wasn’t to be, Niall Barry’s immediate response with a goal to level the game was a key moment and from there, Moorefield saw out a memorable win with points by Gavin and Tommy Walsh.