Foley points way for Rapps
RAPPAREES OULART-BALLAGH 0-21 1-12
RAPPAREES RECORDED an impressive six-point victory over a battling Oulart-The Ballagh in their Greenstar Under-20 hurling Division 1B championship tie in Bellefield on Wednesday.
The home side, despite being short five regulars owing to holidays, adapted to the challenge and showed an attacking edge that the visitors were unable to match.
Rapparees may not have got the start they required, falling 1-2 to 0-1 in arrears inside the opening five minutes, as Adam McRedmond finished a fine move with an equally excellent finish from 21 metres for what turned out to be the game’s solitary goal.
But by simply playing the game direct, moving the ball at pace from defence into attack, Rapparees began to capitalise on their outfield possession.
Wing-forward Craig Foley was particularly impressive as he picked off some excellent points from both frees and play, but with Barry Sinnott also finding the target with two long-range pointed frees, the sides were deadlocked at the end of the opening quarter (0-7 to 1-4).
The Rapps assumed control in the second quarter, with Foley, Bradley Fortune and Jack Mythen picking off excellent long-range points to leave their side leading by 0-14 to 1-7 at the interval.
After a Barry Sinnott pointed free within two minutes of the re-start had reduced the deficit, Rapparees backed up their firsthalf confidence.
Playing with great composure and fluency, Foley continued to point the way, as the eventual winners led by 0-18 to 1-11 at the end of the third quarter.
Although Oulart-The Ballagh kept battling, they lacked penetration in attack and the Rapps finished the game strongly, adding points through substitute Anthony Murphy, John Murphy and Will Doyle to run out comfortable winners after an exciting 60 minutes in the sweltering heat.
Rapparees: Anthony Larkin; Michael Delaney, Nathan O’Connor, Aaron Browne; Evan Murphy, Ronan Kirwan (0-2 frees), Seán Breen; John Murphy (0-2), Robbie O’Neill; Craig Foley (0-12, 10 frees), Jack Mythen (0-2), Mick Dempsey; Adam Kirwan, Bradley Fortune (0-1), Will Doyle (0-1). Sub. - Anthony Murphy (0-1) for O’Neill.
Oulart-The Ballagh: Darragh Hayes; Liam Roche, Aidan Murphy, Niall Nimmo; Ethan Freeman, Seán Murphy, Michael Doyle; Jack Rossiter, Billy Dunne; Robbie Dunne, Daryl Gray (0-4), Barry Sinnott (0-7, 5 frees); Lee Hore, Jack Roche (0-1), Adam McRedmond (1-0). Sub. - Robbie Foley for Hore.
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).