Timely warning from Rapps
Outstanding Ryan leads way as Rathnure dumped again
RAPPAREES RATHNURE 2-18 1-14
RAPPAREES SENT out a timely warning when they handed Rathnure a seven-point defeat after a stirring final quarter in this hugely competitive Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship quarter-final in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday.
They were led by the outstanding Liam Ryan who stormed into the game during that final period of supremacy, having switched to the centre-back role from the fringe of the square, lifting his side for that major effort to secure a semi-final spot.
With Jack Guiney having a real impact on Rathnure’s attacking ideas up to that juncture, the switching of Ryan to counteract his former inter-county colleague proved a decisive move.
The Rapparees sideline mentors gambled on the switch, which led to some juggling of positions in defence, but it proved an inspirational move.
Not alone did it curtail the potential threat of Guiney, it saw the All Star nominee shore up the defence, while his ability to drive forward once in possession proved invaluable to his side as they launched their match-winning effort in that final quarter.
And just to cap off a magnificent display, Ryan moved upfield on 52 minutes to strike an excellent point, proving the inspiration he can be to his side.
During that closing quarter the Rapparees showed that they will have a serious input to the final destination of the title as they outscored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-4, securing their semi-final spot for the second successive year.
This time around they will be hoping to go at least one better than 2017 and make it through to the final which would be a huge boost to the game in the Cathedral town.
Rathnure were unable to end their championship famine. When a Shane Lawlor 30th-minute goal sent them in level at the break, they must have been comfortable in the fact they were very much still in this game.
But when it mattered most, as the game hit the home straight, they hadn’t the strength in depth to deliver.
They lacked scoring power up front, while midfield and defence found life difficult once the Rapps went in search of victory as they brought an increased tempo to their game.
After Rory Higgins had pointed within 30 seconds of the start, the veteran Tomás Mahon responded with two pointed frees, with Guiney pointing a ‘65 in between.
Guiney was then wide with two point attempts, one from a ‘ 65 when many in the crowd felt the ball had curled inside the left post, but on both occasions they were signalled wide.
After Shane Lawlor and Mahon (free) had gone on to exchange points, Guinrey on 17 minutes went low with a 25-metre free that was saved and eventually cleared.
With Guiney and Higgins off target with several attempts, Rathnure still led by 0-6 to 0-5 after 25 minutes.
One minute later came the game’s opening goal when, after Jack Kelly had picked out Lenny Connolly with an excellent crossfield ball, the midfielder finished low to the net, a score that helped his side into a 1-5 to 0-6 lead.
Aidan Redmond, Kevin Ryan, after a fine run and strike, and Mahon (free) went on to register points before, approaching the break, Shane Lawlor worked the ball into space and sent a ground shot to the opposite corner of the net, leaving it 1-7 each at the interval.
Both sides found it difficult to separate themselves during the opening ten minutes of the second-half, at the end of which they were still level (1-9 each).
Guiney with an excellent catch and point off his left hand ecxhanged scores with Alan Tobin, leaving the sides still level, but the Rapps were now beginning to flex their muscles as Kevin Foley sent over a huge point off the sideline.
Mahon then pointed two successive frees, giving the side a 1-13 to 1-10 lead to take into the final quarter.
Ten minutes from the end came the decisive moment in the game for Rapparees.
Lenny Connolly turned provider as his cross set up Alan Tobin for an excellent goal, leaving his side leading by 2-13 to 1-10 with ten minutes remaining.
Kevin Ryan, who had been hugely impressive at wing-forward, went on a searing run before pointing, and from there to the finish the Rapps held the decisive edge, as substitute Ed Tobin and Mahon added points.
Rapps defender Ricky Fox was sent-off on a second yellow card offence in additional time, with Rathnure having a late consolation point from a Cathal O’Connor ’65.
Rapparees: Eamonn Furlong; Ben Edwards, Liam Ryan (0-1), Dillon Redmond; Jack Kelly, Ricky Fox, James Peare (0-1); Lenny Connolly (1-0), Kevin Foley (0-1); Kevin Ryan (0-3), Ryan Mahon (0-1), Nick Doyle; Alan Tobin (1-1), Tomás Mahon (0-9, 8 frees), Darragh Pepper. Subs. - Ed Tobin (0-1) for R. Mahon (55), Aaron Ronan for Pepper (58), Anthony Roche for A. Tobin (60).
Rathnure: Dermot Flynn; Paddy Whiteley, Brian Quigley, Eoin Boggan; Podge Doyle, Cathal O’Connor (0-1 ‘65), Aidan Redmond (0-1); Richie Flynn, Eoin Higgins (0-1); Shane Lawlor (1-3), Jack Guiney (0-7, 2 frees, 2 ‘65s), Michael Redmond; Rory Higgins (0-1), Seánie Redmond, Ciarán O’Connor. Subs. - James Tobin for Ciarán O’Connor (40), Declan Foley for Redmond (45), Seán O’Connor for M. Redmond (50).
Referee: Seán Whelan (St. Martin’s).