O’Connor secures late winner in derby meeting
an excellent catch and quickfire score from Bob Whitty, but Paul Foley also had three points on the board as his side moved 0-8 to 0-3 in front.
O’Connor’s late goal was imperative but Jack Guiney’s 26th-minute penalty was absolutely critical too. James Tobin was fouled under a high ball and it probably falls into the soft category as penalties go, but Guiney made no mistake with a low drive to the ‘keeper’s right.
Barry Carton’s second point and Foley’s ‘65 repaired some of the damage but twelve first-half misses would come back to bite a Cloughbawn side which went in at the interval 0-10 to 1-3 in front.
The Castleboro crew still led by four in the 37th minute. However, Rathnure’s rally began with a succession of Ciaran O’Connor dead-balls a short time later. When he added his sixth in the 45th minute his side were level for the first time since the game was scoreless (1-8 to 0-11).
Cloughbawn’s top scorer Paul Foley notched his club’s next three points as they re-established a two-point lead with four minutes remaining. Yet, after Shane Lawlor’s point, Cathal O’Connor got the goal that gave Rathnure their first lead.
Foley pulled Cloughbawn within one but Richie Flynn put the seal on a fine Rathnure win with one of the scores of the match in the second minute of added time to help his side to a flying championship start.