Cliches like "Goals Win Matches" or a game of two halves are often used. This game certainly fell into that category with Moville dominating the first half and scoring three fine goals while Malin were on top in the second half but never looked like breaking down a rugged Moville defence. Blustery conditions and a heavy surface made the going difficult for both sides and it took the sides some time to settle. Malin having won the toss elected to play against the elements and it seemed a wise decision in the early part of the game. Malin had the first opportunity when a Liam O'Neill effort was brilliantly saved by Maurice McGeady.
The game was in the 9th. minute before the first score, when Sean McKinney returning after a lengthy injury was first to a through ball to tuck neatly past Lafferty in the Malin goal. The same player pointed 2 minutes later as Moville grew in confidence. Kevin Cavanagh added a free for Moville as the Malin team found the going tough against the wind. In the 20th. minute a inter passing movement saw Ronan Hegarty release Gerard Faulkner and the midfielder made no mistake for goal number 2. Fellow midfielder P.J. Barr added another point before Seamus Hegarty shot goal number 3 receiving a pass from Graeme Doherty. Anthony Kelly pointed Malin's first score with a point from a free in the 28th. minute to leave Moville leading by 3-3 to 0-1 at the break.
Like the first half Moville dominated the early stages of the second half, but found it difficult to score. Gradually Malin clawed their way back into the game with some points from frees by the deadly accurate Anthony Kelly who scored 0-7 over the hour. Danny Lafferty had 2 fine points as Malin saw the Moville lead being whittled away with 10 minutes remaining, Moville were still 5 points clear however 2 frees conceded for over-carrying and a couple of loose clearance saw Malin get points from Liam O'Neill and Kelly to leave 2 points between the sides at the end of normal time. Mike Price steadied the ship for the Moville hitting a point from a narrow angle after a Seamus Hegarty free came back of the upright. Referee Mulhern added a further 5 minutes of added time and with virtually the last kick of the game another Kelly free left the minimum between the sides. However Moville held on and there were great scenes of jubilation as the final whistle went.
Having won promotion from Division 4 last year Moville now take another big leap to Division 2.
Malin Team; Liam Lafferty, Denis McGonagle, Paul Lafferty, Sean McGeoghan(0-1), Damian Ward, Patrick Doherty, Paul Doherty, Patrick Kelly, Anthony Kelly (0-7), Brendan McGonagle (0-1), Martin Lafferty, Danny Lafferty (0-2), Liam O'Neill (0-1), Sean Kelly. Sub used: Paddy McGonagle.