Rathkenny cruise to league title
A FL DIV 3 FINAL
Senior against junior had a predictable outcome as Rathkenny were crowned A FL Div 3 champions following a hard fought final win, 2-14 to 1-10, at Donore this evening, writes Sean Wall.
Underdogs St Vincent’s gave it their best and produced some excellent passages particularly in the second half but the game was out of their reach at that stage as Rathkenny had all but forced them into submission by half-time.
Rathkenny produced a first half performance that one would expect from a side two grades above their opponents as they built up a 2-8 to 1-2 interval advantage.
It was impressive stuff from last year’s intermediate champions as they generally controlled proceedings with neat build up play that created the openings for some well executed scores.
It was the Ardcath men who made the best possible start with a goal inside 30 seconds. A delivery from midfielder Michael McIvor was knocked into the path of Paddy McGill and he rattled the Rathkenny net.
A little over a minute later the ball was in the net at the other end with Noah Jenkinson adding the final touch to a move involving Padraig McKeever and Donal Keogan.
Sloppy play from St Vincent’s allowed Keith Curtis in for a brace of points and Rathkenny continued on the front foot as James and Ciaran O’Hare added points at their ease.
Conor O’Brien responded with a point for St Vincent’s and Paddy McGill also hit the target before Rathkenny doubled their tally with a further 1-4 in the final 10 minutes of the half.
Padraig McKeever, Keith Curtis (two) and Ciaran O’Hare scored the points while the goal was a fine effort from Joey Curtis on 24 minutes.
Rathkenny dominated possession during that productive spell with James O’Hare and Christy Meade on top at midfield and Donal Keogan mopping up in the heart of the defence.
Joey and David Curtis stretched the lead at the start of the second half before Adam Tuite ended St Vincent’s scoring drought. Gary Tuite hit the only other score of the third quarter which left it 2-10 to 1-4.
Keith Curtis added to the Rathkenny tally but their tempo had dropped at that stage and the Ardcath men showed some great battling qualities and shot some fine scores in the process.
Adam Tuite took his tally of points to four with a number of superb efforts while Conor O’Brien also accounted for a couple of fine scores.
There was never much chance though that they were going to make it an exciting finish, as Rathkenny had far too much experience and guile and were always comfortable despite St Vincent’s late surge.
Rathkenny – Cathal McCabe; Sean O’Hare, Adam Byrne, Corbin Jenkinson; Padraig McKeever (0-1), Donal Keogan, Ross Gore; Christy Meade, James O’Hare (0-2); Ciaran O’Hare (0-2), Joey Curtis (1-1), Niall Brannigan; David Curtis (0-1), Keith Curtis (0-5 two frees), Noah Jenkinson (1-0). Subs – Aaron Johnson for Meade 31m, Jack Gore for C Jenkinson, Eoghan Heavey for N Jenkinson, Daniel Gavagan (0-1) for J Curtis all 45m, Oisin Cummins (0-1) for McKeever 54m.
St Vincent’s – Evan Connor; Shane Caffrey, Davy Tallon, Conor White; Gary Tuite (0-1), Ryan Hand, Barry O’Sullivan; Robert Tallon, Michael McIvor; Conor O’Brien (0-3), Jack Byrne, Paddy Arnold; Paddy McGill (1-1), Nigel Hand, Adam Tuite (0-4). Subs – Stefan O’Neill (0-1) for R Tallon, Andrew McEntee for O’Sullivan both 33m, Matthew Tuite for McGill 45m, Robbie Lynch for McIvor 49m, Martin Fox for Byrne, Gary McGlew for Arnold both 55m.
Referee – Robert Purfield (St Patrick’s).