Final quarter burst secures crown for Rathkenny

AFTER winning three of their four group matches by 15 points or more, Rathkenny struggled for scores for much of this u-19 D FC decider before eventually finding their mojo in the final quarter to finish comfortable winners at a bitterly cold and windy Dunganny last Saturday.

Just a single point separated the teams entering the final quarter and after Noah Jenkinson had a shot blocked at the expense of a '45' by goalkeeper Josh Clarke Rathkenny struck for a fortuitous but decisive score.

Talisman Finn Moore faced up to the '45' and with the elements in his favour the ball sailed all the way to the net to give his side a 1-7 to 1-3 lead. That was the score that eventually sparked Rathkenny to life and they finished in fine style with a further goal and two points without reply to be crowned champions.

Rathkenny had six of the team that saw action in the recent Leinster IFC semi-final against Scoil Ui Chonaill but struggled for long spells to find anything close to their best form.

They were fortunate that Nobber/Kilmainhamwood were unable to convert most of the opportunities that came their way, especially in the opening half when the combined side created a number of goal chances but couldn’t take any of them. Nobber/Kilmainhamwood also tallied eight wides as they failed to manage the tricky wind that was blowing in their favour.

The combined side should have had a goal in the opening minute when Jack Gillespie got on the end of a fine move involving Darragh Smith and Killian Russell but his slapped attempt was kept out by 'keeper Sean Gillespie. Minutes later pacy wing back Eoin Finnegan broke clear but Aaron Johnson got back to dispossess him before he could pull the trigger.

Nobber/Kilmainhamwood continued to have a decent share of possession throughout the half but some wayward shooting and shot selection ensured that they trailed 0-2 to 0-4 at the break. Wing backs Darragh Smith and Eoin Finnegan were particularly impressive, Gustas Pocevicius and Killian Russell held their own at midfield while the pace of Aidan Roche caused problems in attack. Rian Stafford had a few chances for scores but his finishing let him down and overall he was well policed by Rathkenny captain Sean O’Hare.

The half in general proved to be a slow burner with plenty of mistakes from both sides. Killian Russell opened the scoring on six minutes before Rathkenny hit four successive points to lead by three after 24 minutes.

Finn Moore opened and closed Rathkenny’s tally in the half while in between Joey Curtis, following a quickly taken free from Moore, and Noah Jenkinson also hit points.

A great run from his own half by Darragh Smith ended with the wing back blasting over the bar for the final score of the half.

The early stages of the second half continued in a similar vein to the first until Stafford and Aidan Roche were involved in a move that led to Charlie Cunningham forcing the ball over the goal line to give his side the lead.

That advantage didn’t last long as Rathkenny went down the other end and Joey Curtis popped over the equaliser. Proceedings had livened up considerably at that stage and Ciaran O’Hare pointed to regain the lead for Rathkenny on 41 minutes.

Two minutes later Aidan Roche levelled up again but that proved to be the last score for Nobber/Kilmainhamwood. The game was 50 minutes old before Moore regained the lead for Rathkenny from another free.

That fortuitous goal from a '45' from Moore was just the boost that Rathkenny needed as they finally began to edge the exchanges. Joey Curtis then got forward from midfield to hit his third point and leave five between the teams.

Any hope Nobber/Kilmainhamwood had disappeared when Ciaran O’Hare was fouled for a penalty on 57 minutes and Scott O’Halloran made no mistake from the resultant spot kick.

Noah Jenkinson added a further point before the finish to leave Rathkenny a little flattered by the nine point margin of victory.

SCORERS

Rathkenny: Finn Moore 1-3 1-0 '45', three frees; Scott O’Halloran 1-0 penalty; Joey Curtis 0-3; Noah Jenkinson 0-2; Ciaran O’Hare 0-1.

Nobber/Kilmainhamwood: Charlie Cunningham 1-0; Darragh Smith 0-1; Killian Russell 0-1; Aidan Roche 0-1.

TEAMS

Rathkenny: Sean Gillespie; Cal Kealy, Aaron Johnson, Rioghan Timmons; Ciaran O’Hare, Sean O’Hare, Corbin Jenkinson; Joey Curtis, David Curtis; Daniel Gavagan, Patrick Knowles, Noah Jenkinson; Finn Moore, Scott O’Halloran, Noah McBride. Subs -Conor Moore for McBride 49 mins, TJ Farrelly for Gavagan, Cathal McKeever for Knowles both 58m, Aaron Keogh for Timmons, Michael McKinnon for O’Halloran both 60m.

Nobber/Kilmainhamwood: Josh Clarke; Evan Nelson, Kian Owens, Noah Madden; Darragh Smith, Ciaran Doyle, Eoin Finnegan; Gustas Pocevicius, Killian Russell; Conor Owens, Rian Stafford, Aidan Roche; Charlie Cunningham, Jack Gillespie, Colin Condra. Subs - Eoin Rooney for Cunningham 54 mins, Eoghan O’Donnell for Gillespie 59m.

Referee – Marcus O Donnchu (Simonstown).