Stafford’s goal is crucial as Rathnew edge out Eire Og

at Greystones their forward line.

Daniel Keane added a sublime point for Eire Óg, followed by a Daniel Wood 45 soon after. Theo Smith then kicked over a 65 for Rathnew keeping the travelling side in the game.

The first half was very much dominated by the Eire Óg men as they romped in about sixty five per cent of the possession and came and entered the second half with a confident scoreline of seven points to two.

The second thirty five minutes of the game brought about much more excitement as Rathnew began to lift their heads and find themselves taking over the scoreboard.

Leighton Glynn and Jody Merrigan found themselves kicking over several points from the full forward line and with ten minutes left in play the Rathnew lads had found themselves only one point behind the home side at ten points to nine.

A new found energy came from the Rathnew side as Eire Óg began to tire out.

It was a James Stafford goal that put the icing on the cake for his side and finished Eire Óg’s chances of winning.

Rathnew came out on top with a final scoreline of 1-9 to 10 points.

Eire Óg: Lorcan Treanor; Liam Maguire, Leon Browne, Matt Maguire; Sean Horan, Stephen Kelly, Craig Smullen; Darren Hayden (0-3), Justin O’ Brien; Jamie McDonald, Daniel Wood (0-5), Eoghan McPhibilin; Daniel Webb, Billy Norman (0-1), Daniel Keane (0-1).

Rathnew: Peter Dignam; John Manley, Ross O’ Brien, Paul Merrigan; Chris Healy, Jamie Snell, Enan Glynn; James Stafford (1-1), Theo Smith; Jonah Graham, Nicholas Mernagh (0-1), Edward Doyle (0-1); Jody Merrigan (0-3), Leighton Glynn (0-2), Philip Murphy. Subs: Graham Merrigan (0-1).

Referee: John Keenan.