Rathnew in total control in Blessington clash
RATHNEW were always in control of this Junior ‘B’ football championship match played at Rathnew against Blessington.
It was an ideal evening for football and a meeting of the third teams of the only two clubs in Wicklow fielding three championship sides at adult level.
Rathnew had the greater depth of experience throughout their side with players such as Chris Murphy, Brian Murphy, James Hunter and Barry Mernagh in their midst and they got off to the best of starts with a goal from Michael Doyle straight from the throw in.
It looked bad for the Blues after 15 minutes when Rathnew led 1–03 to 0-01; James Hunter, Barry Mernagh and Danny Quinn adding points for Rathnew, Blessington picking up one after three minutes from Alan Ellis.
Points from Jonathan Daniels and Stephen Willoughby narrowed the gap to 1-04 to 0-05 after 20 minutes but Rathnew finished the half much the better and a second goal from Danny Quinn after 26 minutes left the score 2-07 to 0-07 at half-time.
Possession had broken 50/50 in the first half, however, the greater experience in Rathnew made better use of the possession and the Blues’ cause was not helped early in the second half with injuries to their corner back Damian Breen and midfielder Thomas Fisher necessitating both to retire injured.
Rathnew on the other hand had their difficulties too as Eric Doyle received a second yellow and Jason Stafford a black card. The game would have been really and truly over as a contest after five minutes of the second half had Barry Mernagh’s thundering shot not come back off the crossbar although the third goal did arrive after 15 minutes when James Hunter capitalised on a Blessington error to leave Rathnew well in front 15 minutes into the second half at 3-10 to 0-09.
Rathnew relaxed somewhat in the last 15 minutes with Chris Murphy picking up their sole point in that period and Blessington rallied with a goal from Jonathan Daniels in the 29th minute and further points from Jonathan Daniels and Alan Ellis.
Harry Murphy will be pleased enough with his forward line on the night picking up 3-09 between them, mostly from play, although it will be a worry at the concession of so many frees with the ball being moved forward by referee Gerry Corbett on almost every occasion.
Rathnew have now two wins in this group and will take a bit of beating in the knockout stages. Blessington on the other hand now play at home tomorrow night to Tinahely with the loser going out of the championship.
Rathnew: Dylan Keogh; Chris Murphy (0-1), James Manley, Patrick O’Connor; Eric Doyle (0-1), Lee Kavanagh, Wayne Devlin; Jason Stafford, Keith Doyle; Philip O’Neill, Brian Murphy (1-2), Danny Quinn (1-4); Michael Doyle (1-1), James Hunter (0-1), Barry Mernagh (0-1). Subs: Dean Breen, Dale Franey.
Blessington: Robert Gilligan; Damian Breen, Sean McGarr, Jason McCarthy; Jordan Lynch, Adam Carroll, Peter O’Connell; Thomas Fisher, Adam Boland; Stephen Carroll, Alan Ellis (0-2), Stephen Willoughby (0-2); Sean Boothman, Jonathan Daniels (1-8), John McEnroy. Subs: Jimmy Mulhall.