Ruth keeps his cool
Rapps pip Horeswood at the death
RAPPAREES 2-17 HORESWOOD 1-19
RAPPAREES REACTED to a late goal in the best possible manner in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Monday of last week when they struck 1-2 without reply from the 59th minute onwards to pip Horeswood to the EEW All-County Hurling League Division 4 crown.
It looked like the New Ross District club would receive the boost of some silverware when a delivery by captain Michael O’Hanlon was scrambled to the net by Jamie Myler, with P.J. Banville following in to make sure the ball crossed the line on his surprise return to the game after several years.
That goal arrived in the 57th minute and stretched the Horeswood lead to 1-19 to 1-15, even though they had lost wing-back Danny Byrne to a red card shortly beforehand when he was punished for being the third man in to a brief disagreement.
Rapparees are no slouches at this level however, having contested last year’s county final against Gusserane, and they put in a very strong finish to claim the honours.
Joe Cullen knocked over a free before a well-worked goal in the 60th minute, with Anthony Roche giving the final pass to John Murphy who rattled the net to leave the sides on level terms (2-16 to 1-19).
Just one point was added in the three extra minutes, and it came after Horeswood were reduced to 13 men.
Gavin Murphy was dismissed for what referee Aiden O’Brien deemed was a late challenge, and Rapparees had the right man to nail the free that followed from 75 metres.
Veteran Declan Ruth had accounted for five points from placed balls beforehand, and his sixth was followed by the final whistle 40 seconds later to bring the All-County League programme for 2018 to a conclusion.
The 13 titles across hurling and football were captured by ten clubs, with this success ensuring Rapparees-Starlights joined Castletown and Oulart-The Ballagh as double victors.
Horeswood had actually lost their semi-final to Ferns St. Aidan’s by two points, but they were subsequently granted a place in the decider as their rivals had fielded an ineligible player from their first 15.
One of the chief features of the game was the outstanding finishing of Horeswood left half-forward Seán Nolan who picked off the grand total of eight points from play, six in the first period.
His opening two strikes settled the south county side after a strong start from their rivals, with Lee Treacy capitalising on a fumble from a long Declan Ruth free to force a third-minute goal before Anthony Roche added a point.
Horeswood captain Michael O’Hanlon, who moved to the ’40 early on, was also accurate from frees and play, while Gavin Murphy chipped in with a brace of points too.
Joe Cullen, Declan Ruth, Anthony Russell and John Murphy all contributed to the Rapparees tally, and they drew level by halftime (1-9 to 0-12) after a late Cullen free was followed by an excellent effort from close to the sideline by Lee Treacy.
The sides were deadlocked on four occasions during the second-half up to that Myler goal for Horeswood, and extra-time looked like a distinct possibility right up to the final whistle.
It would have been no more than the losers deserved after such a tight contest but, not for the first time, the ice-cool Ruth stepped up and delivered the winner for the Rapps who only fielded two of the Seniors from their victory at the same venue against Faythe Harriers nine days earlier: Eamonn Furlong and Anthony Roche.
Rapparees: Eamonn Furlong; Declan Courtney, Eoin Quigley, John Barron (capt.); Tommy Foley, Declan Ruth (0-6 frees), Anthony Peare; Peter O’Sullivan, Anthony Roche (0-1); Anthony Murphy, Anthony Russell (0-1), John Murphy (1-2); Garry Murphy, Joe Cullen (0-5, 4 frees), Lee Treacy (1-1). Subs. - Cathal Ryan (0-1) for Peare (HT), Ronan Kirwan for Quigley (36), Lee Murphy for Treacy (39), Diarmuid Cullen for G. Murphy (48), Ryan Hadley for Foley (50).
Horeswood: Declan Murphy; Tomás Kent, Shane O’Hanlon, Eamonn O’Sullivan; Danny Byrne, Barry Hearn, David Murphy; Seán Stafford, Jamie Myler (1-1); Eddie Breen, Damien Hearn, Seán Nolan (0-8); Gavin Murphy (0-2), Michael O’Hanlon (capt., 0-8, 6 frees), Paddy Roche. Sub. - P.J. Banville for Roche (48).
Referee: Aiden O’Brien (Cloughbawn).