Tones put themselves back in the frame
Wolfe Tones 2-14 Rathkenny 1-9
WITH only a draw to show from their two previous outings, Wolfe Tones put themselves in the frame for a knockout spot when overcoming their neighbours in a lowkey SFC derby at Pairc Tailteann last Sunday.
The Tones played in fits and starts, dominating large parts of the opening half to build up a 0-8 to 0-3 lead at half-time. That interval advantage was cut to the minimum after veteran substitute Donal Curtis threw his side a lifeline with a well taken goal 10 minutes into the second half.
That gave Diarmuid McCarthy’s side a brief boost but Tones upped the tempo again and dominated the final 20 minutes when they struck for two goals to be well clear at the final whistle.
Both goals came from Saran O Fionnagain with the first in the 54th minute putting the game beyond the reach of their opponents. O Fionnagain struck again four minutes later but at that stage the destination of the points had already been decided.
Prior to Tones’ opening goal Jack Thompson had an opportunity to raise a green flag for Rathkenny but was denied by keeper David Nolan.
Rathkenny missed the influence of the injured Caolach Halligan and full forward Owen Elliott posed the main threat in their attack in the early stages. The sides were level at 0-2 each but Tones increased the tempo the longer the half progressed with Cian Ward a big influence as they raced five points clear in the second quarter.
The Tones responded to Rathkenny’s brief surge in the third quarter which left it 0-10 to 1-6 by the 41st minute. They hit three points in a four minute spell, from Dan O’Neill, O Fionnagain and Cian Ward (free), to reassert their authority. The eventual winners then pressed home their authority in the closing stages with those late goals.
RATHKENNY: Richie Timmons; Niall Brannigan, James Macken, Ross Gore; Thomas McGuinness, Donal Keogan, Stephen Crosbie; Brian Meade 0-2, Christy Meade; Keith Timmons, Ivan Lenehan, Jack Gore 0-2f; Brian Lenehan 0-1f, Owen Elliott 0-4, Jack Thompson. Subs: Donal Curtis 1-0 for I Lenehan (25), Cathal McCabe for Crosbie (56).
REF: Martin Griffin (Simonstown)