Sport

Moyna vents his anger

O'BYRNE CUP SEMI-FINALS DCU 2-8 Meath 0-6 AFTER SEEING his side impressively book their place in the O’Byrne Cup final at Navan…

Mon Jan 23 2012 - 00:00

O'BYRNE CUP SEMI-FINALS DCU 2-8 Meath 0-6AFTER SEEING his side impressively book their place in the O'Byrne Cup final at Navan's Páirc Tailteann on Saturday night, DCU manager Niall Moyna hit out strongly against Donegal county boss Jim McGuinness for allegedly putting "unfair pressure" on one of the college's players.

Moyna claimed that Martin McElhinney, who had been selected to play at midfield against Meath, was threatened with expulsion from the Donegal squad if he did not make himself available for a challenge game against Monaghan earlier on Saturday.

McElhinney picked up an ankle injury in a warm-up before the Clones tie and Moyna remarked: “Martin is in the middle of examinations, we talk about player welfare but incidents like this amount to abuse of a player. Jim McGuinness does not own any player.”

Dublin’s All-Ireland winners Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, Eoghan O’Gara and Paul Flynn were prominent as DCU advanced to the final for the third time in four years.

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Meath started well with points from Tom Walsh and Paddy Gilsenan (free) but Sligo’s David Kelly netted DCU’s first goal after 14 minutes, O’Gara providing the opening with a knock-down.

Points followed from Colm Begley (free) and Jack Brady and it was 1-3 to 0-3 at the break. DCU increased their lead to eight points within 10 minutes of the resumption. Dean Rock got on target from a free and play and Kelly netted his second goal on 41 minutes.

DCU: M Boyle; P McMahon, K Galvin, E Culligan; C Begley (0-3, one free), J Cooper, J McCarthy; F O Curraoin, N Collins; G Sweeney, D Rock (0-3, two frees), F O'Shea; J Brady (0-1), E O'Gara, D Kelly (2-1). Subs: P Flynn for O'Shea (23 mins), D Keenan for Sweeney (56), C Cafferkey for Culligan (58), P Dooney for Cooper (65), D Smith for Kelly (68).

MEATH: D Gallagher; G O'Brien, B Menton, M Burke; C McGuinness, S McAnarney, C O'Connor; M Ward, C Gillespie; B Meade, G Reilly (0-1, free), D Tobin; P Gilsenan (0-3, two frees), T Walsh (0-1), S Bray (0-1). Subs: K Reilly for Ward (29 mins), S Kenny for Tobin (hT), C Lenehan for McGuinness (47 mins), D Smyth for Gillespie (60 mins).

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).