Miley’s goal crucial
Laragh edge out Rathnew to reach knockout stages
LARAGH RATHNEW 1-8 0-9
THE 2017 Junior ‘A’ champions Laragh advanced to the knockout stages of the Intermediate championship with a hard-earned victory over Rathnew at Joule Park Aughrim last Sunday evening.
Laragh boss Declan Byrne had his charges fired up for a tussle against his former club knowing better than anyone that if Rathnew’s intensity and determination were not matched they would struggle against the villagers.
In the early stages the work rate and hassling of both sides snuffed out early threats.
It was Rathnew playing with a strong breeze at their backs who opened the scoring from an Edward Doyle free.
Laragh replied instantly as John Nolan hit a short free to Stephen Olahan who dissected the posts. Another Doyle free was cancelled out by David Miley who showed a clean pair of heels before clipping over.
Damian Hanlon drove a 45 over into the wind to give Laragh the lead, however, it was at this point that Rathnew took over proceedings hitting three points on the trot.
The first was a delightful score from corner-back Ronan Manley who sold two dummies before clipping over.
Doyle then struck his first from play after working a short sideline kick with Dean Franey and finally Ronan Doyle landing a score from 55 yards.
Laragh needed their big men to stand up and it was Hanlon who showed the drive that was required.
The big midfielder claimed a mark and showed his pace, jinking through the Rathnew defence before unselfishly offloading to Miley who caressed the ball beyond keeper Pat Reynolds to the villagers’ net.
It was a lead they were never to relinquish with Nolan (2) and Edward Doyle from 55 yards exchanging points to close the half and leave the Laragh men two to the good.
With the wind at their backs, Laragh were surely fancying their chances of stretching their lead but if any team likes the odds stacked against them its Rathnew.
It was the men from the thatched village who struck first in the second period with Ronan Doyle punching over after Ross Quinn’s effort was dropping short.
John Nolan kept Laragh ticking over after Mark Miley, who was well marshalled at full-forward, had set him free.
Dean Franey reduced it to the minimum again with a point after showing a bit of cuteness to fool the Laragh defence.
Space and scores were in short supply as both teams knew a defeat would leave their championship hopes in jeopardy.
The next four scores were traded evenly as Nolan again and a fantastic individual point from Hanlon were cancelled out by substitute Josh Graham with a humdinger of his own and an Edward Doyle free.
Eight scoreless minutes fol- lowed with both teams missing chances to score as nerves became frayed.
However, eventually the man with the coolest head in Aughrim, John Nolan, fisted an insurance point as the game entered injury time.
Real championship fare with Miley’s goal ultimately been the difference between the sides.
For Rathnew, Edward Doyle hit some fantastic scores and Jason Devlin at full-back was excellent in snuffing out the Mark Miley threat.
For Laragh, Gary Cullen had a fine game at full-back but when they needed leaders it was John Nolan and Damian Hanlon who stood up and were counted.
Rathnew now most likely head to the relegation play-offs while Laragh head to the quarter-finals and if they do topple Ballymanus in their next outing they will top the group and advance to the semi-finals.
Scorers - Laragh: John Nolan 0-4, David Miley 1-1, Damian Hanlon 0-2, Stephen Olahan 0-1.
Rathnew: Edward Doyle 0-4, Ronan Doyle 0-2, Ronan Manley 0-1, Dean Franey 0-1, Josh Graham 0-1.