Final quarter blitz crucial for Rathkenny

A FL DIV 3 SEMI-FINAL

It was a lot closer than the final 1-14 to 1-8 scoreline suggests as Rathkenny secured promotion to A FL Div 2 and a place in the Div 3 final with a home win over Clann na nGael last night.

There was only a point between the sides at half time and with Clann na nGael drawing level with the only score of the third quarter, the game went right down to the wire.

However with everything up for grabs it was Rathkenny who showed a senior side touch with a Keith Curtis free followed instantly by a point from David Curtis to put two between the sides.

Then came the decisive score from sub Eoghan Heavey as he calmly slotted home following great work by Noah Jenkinson and Joey Curtis.

Keith Curtis quickly added three points (two frees) and almost in the blink of an eye the game went from being all square to Rathkenny holding an eight point lead.

Clann na nGael managed their second point of the half with three minutes remaining, but by that stage the issue was beyond doubt.

It had all been much tighter in the opening half. Keith Curtis opened the scoring, but Clann na nGael replied with a goal. The tide turned one way and then the other as scores from Keith Curtis, Joey Curtis, Ciaran O'Hare, Noah Jenkinson ensured Rathkenny led by 0-9 to 1-5 at the break and they kicked on in the final quarter.

Rathkenny – Charlie Cullen; Aaron Johnson, Adam Byrne, Corbin Jenkinson; James O’Hare, Ross Gore, Padraig McKeever; James Macken, Donal Keogan; Ciaran O’Hare (0-1), Joey Curtis (0-1), Christy Meade; David Curtis (0-2), Keith Curtis (0-8), Noah Jenkinson (0-2). Subs – Eoghan Heavey (1-0) for C Meade, Niall Branigan for Gore, Daniel Gavagan for Jenkinson, Daithí Downey for Johnson, Patrick Knowles for J Curtis.