Rathkenny missing star man Meade for crunch league tie
Division 1 DONAGHMORE/ASH 0-19 RATHKENNY 1-8
RATHKENNY need to defeat fellow strugglers Moynalvey in their last league tie if they are to avoid a swift return to Division 2 following this latest defeat at Ashbourne last Saturday evening.
Whoever loses that one are doomed to relegation after making the step up to the top tier at the start of the year - and Rathkenny will have to face into that crunch match without former inter-county player Brian Meade.
Meade was shown a straight red card by ref Barry Campbell following a melee mid-way through the second half of this match against last year’s league champions.
Midfielder Meade accounted for two points in the opening half, with Jack Gore on target with three as Rathkenny enjoyed the advantage of a stiff breeze in the opening half. However at half-time it was the hosts who led 0-7 to 0-5.
Rathkenny were right back in contention when Jack Gore converted a penalty following a foul on Donal Keogan.
The sending-off proved a turning point, however, and Ashbourne dominated after that. Caolach Halligan scored all three Rathkenny points in the second half, two of which came from frees. DONAGHMORE/ASH: Jack Hannigan; Conor Carton 0-1, Cormac McGill, Iarlaith O’Donnell; David Carey, Shane Melia 0-1, Paul Gilligan 0-3; Conor Carey, Bryan Menton 0-2; Leo Reilly, Dylan Brady 0-3, Colm O Mealoid; Thomas McGovern 0-6, John Broderick, Sam Benville 0-1. Subs: Niall Farrell 0-1, Eric Callaghan 0-1.
Richie Timmons; Joe Gore, Ross Gore, Niall Brannigan; Stephen Crosbie, Donal Keogan, Graham Brennan; Brian Meade 0-2, Christy Meade; Caolach Halligan 0-3, Ivan Lenehan, Jack Gore 1-3; Jack Thompson, Keith Timmons, Brian Lenehan. Subs: Thomas McGuinness for Brennan, Donal Curtis for Thompson.
•In other Division 1 games Gaeil Colmcille climbed clear of the relegation zone with a 1-8 to 1-7 victory over St Pat’s. Wolfe Tones lost to Na Fianna and must now win their final match against Blackhall to be certain of a final spot.
Division 2
ST COLMCILLE’S 4-18 CURRAHA 1-15
ST COLMCILLE’S remain very much in contention to make a quick return to Division 1 football following this win in a high-scoring game at Curraha.
Cille’s welcomed back Graham Reilly, while Curraha had their county player James McEntee also in action.
The Cille’s were minus five of their six county junior players, but with Reilly providing the leadership and scoring 1-7 they were always in control of proceedings. Jack Reynolds also enjoyed a productive day, ending with a tally of 2-4. ST COLMCILLE’S: A Beakey; J Kavanagh, J McDonnell, Eoin Sweeney; C Hilliard, I Mullen, S Crilly; C O’Byrne 1-2, R McCloskey; D Brodigan, J Reynolds 2-4, D O’Byrne 0-1; G Reilly 1-7, D Meagher 0-1, C Kelly 0-2. Subs: J McElearney for McDonnell, C Mullen for Crilly, E Walsh for Meagher, S McDonnell for Reynolds.
•Ratoath moved top of Division 2 following a 2-23 to 1-11 win over fellow promotion hopefuls St Michaels. Ballinlough recorded only their third win - 3-11 to 3-10 - over Duleek-Bellewstown who are in mid-table with little to play for.