Ryan strikes to seal Rathmore win

DESPITE only taking the lead for the first time in proceedings with the last score of the game, Rathmore’s doggedness and determination to keep going eventually paid off in Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday.

They punished Mid Kerry for trying to hold onto the lead they had with Shane Ryan making a major impact in his first competitive game of 2016. Introduced as a sub just before half-time, the 2014 All-Ireland Minor winning goalkeeper scored his side’s first point from play not long after his introduction, but he had a more telling impact near the end in scoring the match winning goal.

Mid Kerry will feel they left this one after them, certainly when you score all your points from play and have a lead of six at one stage you won’t lack regret. However, they were the authors of their own misfortune in not pushing on for victory when they were in the ascendancy.

Despite neither Donnachadh Walsh and Darran O’Sullivan scoring on the day for the district side all their other starting forwards did as Liam Carey proved to be their main threat on the day with a personal total of five points.

They had a lead of 0-10 to 0-5 at the break, defender Gavin Evans managing to come forward for a score as bar Ryan’s point a brace of frees from both Mark Reen and Brendan O’Keeffe were all Rathmore could manage in the first-half.

When John Tyther put over the first score of the second period, it looked like the district would continue where they left off. However, slowly but surely Rathmore were gathering momentum.

They needed a good piece of defending from full-back James O’Sullivan to deny Gavan O’Grady and Gary Sayers stealing in for a goal for Mid Kerry, but the game’s next big moment on the three-quarter mark appeared to be a setback for the club side.

A high ball from Daniel O’Sullivan straight into the arms of Ryan saw Mid Kerry substitute Fergal Griffin foul him at the concession of a penalty. Mark Reen’s spot-kick was saved by Mid Kerry goalkeeper Mike Moriarty but the rebound was scrambled over the bar by Reen himself as the score now stood at 0-11 to 0-9.

Mid Kerry looked to have recomposed themselves when Carey ended a 17 minute scoring drought with two consecutive points, but they were their last two scores as the decision to take off Gavan O’Grady and put in Aaron Cahillane for the last 10 minutes showed that they wanted to hold onto the four point lead that they had.

Rathmore regrouped and a fourth free from Brendan O’Keeffe, a nice bit of endeavour by Aidan O’Mahony for a point and a second point from Ryan had the bare minimum between the sides entering injury time.

The decisive moment of the game saw Peter Crowley give away possession of the ball and Eoin Lawlor pouncing by making a darting run towards the Mid Kerry goalmouth.

His shot at goal was saved by Moriarty however Ryan was on hand to tap in the rebound and complete a remarkable turnaround in the game. Crowley tried to make amends for his error at the other end by charging forward only for his effort to go wide.

Mid Kerry actually needed Moriarty to prevent the concession of another goal before the final whistle but it was to be Rathmore’s day in the end.

They reached their second consecutive semi-final by hanging in there and they will feel that luck is on their side now ahead of their meeting with Kenmare District this Sunday.

Mid Kerry will have to take a hard look at themselves after this loss, they certainly had the winning of it before leaving it slip through their grasp. One bonus for 2017 will be the return of the Milltown / Castlemaine contingent after their relegation the previous day, but they will all have to lick their wounds in the meantime ahead of the new campaign. RATHMORE: Padraic McCarthy, Michael J Kelliher, James O’Sullivan, Conor Jenkins, Paul Murphy, Aidan O’Mahony (0-1), TJ Friel, Daniel O’Sullivan, Donal O’Sullivan, George O’Keeffe, Mark Reen (0-5, 3f), Brendan O’Keeffe (0-4, 4f), John Moynihan, Eoin Lawlor, Colm Kelly Subs: Shane Ryan (1-2) for Donal O’Sullivan, Cathal Murphy for Kelly, Brian O’Leary for James O’Sullivan, Mark Ryan for Daniel O’Sullivan and Brian Moynihan for George O’Keeffe MID Kerry: Mike Moriarty (Beaufort), Gavin Evans (Keel, 0-1), Nathan Breen (Beaufort), Ger Hartnett (do), Mike Breen (do), Ronan Murphy (do), Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Colin McGuillicuddy (do), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers), Gary Sayers (Keel, 0-2), Liam Carey (Beaufort, 0-5), John Tyther (Laune Rangers, 0-1), Gavan O’Grady (Glenbeigh/Glencar, 0-4), Donnachadh Walsh (Cromane), Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) Subs: Fergal Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for Breen, Aaron Cahillane (Keel) for O’Grady and Thomas Ladden (do) for Tyther= REFEREE: Denis Sayers (Austin Stacks)