Joey Curley's charges made most of the running and were 14 points clear, 4-7 to 0-5, after 55 minutes. A late fightback from Ballinlough proved too little too late, as their neighbours added to their recent minor success.
When their top scorer Paul Lynch netted, with assistance from Anthony Nevin, in the 45th minute the board read 4-7 to 0-5 and the Paddy Cooney Cup was bound for Moynalty. Daire Farrelly and Gary Reilly pulled goals back for Ballinlough in the latter stages but merely improved the look of the final scoreline for the team clad in Kilskyre jerseys. Wearing their alternative dark green jerseys, Moynalty took the game to Ballinlough from the off, opening the scoring through a Paddy Farrelly free in the opening minute.
The scores were briefly tied during the first half when Mark McCullen levelled matters. However, Moynalty reasserted themselves, regaining the lead seconds later through Paul Lynch. Adrian Maguire bagged the first goal for Moynalty in the 16th minute, finishing off a fine build-up. Soon after, Mark McCullen scored the best point of the contest with his powerful effort from a huge distance to cut the gap to a goal in the 18th minute.
In the time remaining before the break, Moynalty put some distance between themselves and Ballinlough. A sweeping 23rd minute move begun by Anthony Nevin deep in his own half ended with Paddy Farrelly netting at the old swimming pool end to leave the board at the opposite end of the ground reading 2-3 to 0-2.
The ‘Lough fought back with Johnnie Reilly finishing off a fine move after some great work by McCullen around the middle of the pitch, before Jack Tunney showcased his natural finishing ability with a skilful point. Moynalty had the last say of the half with Paddy Byrne netting to leave it 3-3 to 0-4 at the break.
Ballinlough resumed with intent to trim the deficit but Moynalty 'keeper Jonathan Lynch saved well from Oliver Brady within a minute of the restart.
It was a second final defeat in a row for Ballinlough - following on their Corn na Boinne loss to Nobber - but doesn't detract on what is a great year for the club. They have the Leinster Club IFC final to look forward to next Sunday, followed by the Div 2 A-League final the following weekend. Tom Shine’s young charges can hold their heads high having done their parish proud all year, and a number of the panel are sure to be playing senior football in the years to come.
Ballinlough - Lorcan Gibney; James Baugh, Matthew Farrell; Adam Fox, Jonathan O'Reilly, Johnnie Reilly (0-1); Gary Reilly (1-0), Kevin Beirne; Jonathan Montgomery, Jack Tunney (0-1), Dylan Montgomery Francis; Mark McCullen (C) (0-2, 0-1 f), Brian Brady. Subs - Oliver Brady (0-1) for Fox (26), Michael Geraghty (0-1) for Dylan Montgomery Francis (36), Paul Farrelly for Johnnie Reilly (bc 42), Daire Farrelly (1-0) for Brady (49), James Lydon for Jonathan Montgomery Francis (56).
Moynalty - Jonathan Lynch; James Nevin, Eoghan Allen; Pauric O'Connor, Ronan McMahon (0-1), Nicholas McKenna; Paul Lynch (1-4, 0-2fs), Thomas Owens (C); Paddy Farrelly (1-1, 0-1f), Ollie Sheridan (0-1), Adrian Maguire (1-0); Paddy Byrne (1-0), Anthony Nevin. Subs - Raymond Owens (0-1) for McKenna (bc 52), Kevin Maguire for Farrelly (54), David McMahon for Owens (56), Shane Farrelly for McMahon (57), Kevin Doyle for Maguire (60).