A SERIOUS BATTLE
Rathnew and Hollywood share spoils after right belter
WITH many championship games being played in front of tiny crowds and ending up with predictable results, it was a refreshing change to witness a thoroughly entertaining battle between two very capable albeit off target teams in front of a passionate and vocal crowd in Joule Park Aughrim last Saturday evening.
This was an intriguing clash. Hollywood proved that their league results against Harry Murphy‘s men were no flukes and they showed that they are more than capable of matching the defending champions in all areas of the field when it comes to the white heat of battle.
Rathnew showed that they are just never beaten until that final whistle sounds and, indeed, the Villagers felt that that final whistle arrived just a little too soon as they began to get on top at the death of this struggle on a beautiful evening in the county grounds.
While the game was intriguing and entertaining from a neutral‘s point of view, in terms of finishing and quality it was well and truly in the low bracket. After a very impressive opening half, Mick Murray’s men would only register one point in the second period, while Rathnew would manage three to draw level at 0-8 apiece, with wides of a worrying total accrued by both teams, seven for Rathnew, six for Hollywood, four of those from the usually flawless Tony Hannon.
There were super battles all over the field with Mikey Healy’s collision with Leighton Glynn being one of the most intriguing. James Stafford and Theo Smyth were well matched by Ciaran Tyrrell and Robert Kelly while there were impressive showings from JT Moorehouse, Jamie Snell, Harry Wilson and Shane Kelly to name but a few. Peter Dignam pulled off what may well be the save of the championship at a vital juncture in this game for Rathnew.
The areas in most need of improvement in terms of accuracy are the inside lines, but if these two meet again at some stage it will be a battle that should not be missed.
Hollywood’s start to this game was excellent. They thundered into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead after 11 minutes and simply blew Rathnew away with their really ambitious and confident play.
Points from Cian Tyrrell, Conor Burke, two from Thomas Burke and one from Tony Hannon left the Hollywod men sitting pretty before Theo Smyth stopped the rot with a fine effort that was made by the hard work and adventurous running of corner-back JT Moorehouse.
An excellent break by the untracked Mikey Healy allowed Tony Hannon the chance to rifle over off the ground before Jody Merrigan answered four minutes later with 18 on the clock.
Merrigan looked full of potential on the day but his shooting would let him down badly. Ross O’Brien, however, would find the target in a big way after 24 minutes when he launched a bomb off the outside of his right boot to make it 0-6 to 0-3 to Hollywood.
Frees from Thomas Burke and Mark Doyle and a point from Leighton Glynn after a truly mesmerising abundance of beautifully timed hand passes that started with full-back Jamie Snell and progressed with devastating accuracy all the way to Glynn who fired over to make it 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.
Ciaran Tyrrell’s point after 30 seconds suggested a productive second half in terms of scoring for Hollywood, but that would be their last score of the game despite numerous opportunities.
It would be a similar situation for Rathnew, but Harry Murphy’s men would score three points in the second half, two Mark Doyle frees and a fine score from Eddie Doyle after Peter Dignam’s kick-out had found Enan Glynn who helped it on to Doyle and the captain did the rest.
Rathnew looked to be getting on top at this stage but Hollywood were still more than capable of launching attacks and but for the lofty frame and safe hands of Peter Dignam they would have retaken the lead but the Rathnew netminder climbed high to claim a dropping ball that was descended from the heavens in search of Tony Hannon.
There would be time for one more wide for each team. Robert Kelly would prove wayward for Hollywood while Ross O’Brien’s late effort drifted past the post and referee Ciaran Fleming sounded the final whistle to bring to an end a pulsating clash.
Some of the Baltinglass official’s decisions did not go down well with both camps and there seemed to be a constant stream of communication flowing between the referee and players for much of the game.
One thing’s for sure, regardless of refereeing decisions or wayward shooting, the fact that both these very impressive teams will most likely be featuring in the business end of this championship is very good news for Wicklow GAA supporters.
Scorers - Rathnew: Mark Doyle 0-3 (2f), Theo Smyth 0-1, Jody Merrigan 0-1, Ross O’Brien 0-1, Leighton Glynn 0-1, Eddie Doyle 0-1.
Hollywood: Thomas Burke 0-3 (1f), Tony Hannon 0-2, Cian Ryrrell 0-1, Conor Burke 0-1, Ciaran Tyrrell 0-1.
Rathnew: Peter Dignam; JT Moorehouse, Jamie Snell, Paul Merrigan; Enan Glynn, Ross O’Brien, Chris Healy; James Stafford, Theo Smyth; Eddie Doyle, Leighton Glynn, Graham Merrigan; Nicky Mernagh, Mark Doyle, Jody Merrigan. Subs: Damien Power for C Healy, Stephen Byrne for J Merrigan.
Hollywood: Ian Burke; Shane Kelly, Harry Wilson, Eoin Burke; Conor Burke, Mickey Healy, Robert Houlihan; Ciaran Tyrrell, Robert Kelly; Matthew Kelly, Patrick O’Keeffe, Cian Tyrrell; Stephen Kearney, Tony Hannon, Thomas Burke. Subs: Garreth Bell for R Houlihan (BC), Seanie O’Keeffe for C Tyrrell (BC), Niall Clarke for E Burke.
Referee: Ciaran Fleming (Baltinglass)