Rathkenny second best

SUMMERHILL became the first team to make certain of their place in the knockout stages of the SFC after chalking up their fourth win at Simonstown last Friday evening.

While the ‘Hill had 10 points to spare at the finish they were somewhat flattered by the winning margin as they struggled to produce their best form for long spells.

Despite the winners only playing in fits and starts, Rathkenny rarely looked like pulling off a shock as they simply didn’t have the scoring power to maintain their interest in the campaign.

Five of their nine points came from placed balls and they failed to score from play throughout the second half. However they found themselves on level terms after Brian Lenehan converted his third free of the half on 43 minutes to leave it at 0-8 each.

Summerhill moved up the gears after that, though, as Sean Dalton pointed them ahead before they were gifted a goal on the three quarter-hour mark. David Larkin saw his powerful shot crash off the underside of the crossbar, with Brian Meade picking up the rebound, only to offload to the

Summerhill Rathkenny 1-16 0-9

inrushing David Dalton who made no mistake from close range.

That goal proved the real game-changer and Summerhill kicked on from there to the finish as they out-scored their opponents seven points to one.

It was Rathkenny who made the brighter start to proceedings with the opening three points within eight minutes - from Donal Keogan, Brian Lenehan (free) and Brian Meade.

The ‘Hill had to wait until the 10th minute for their opening score when David Larkin to split the posts.

Robbie Garry replied to that point a minute later, but Rathkenny then went a full 19 minutes before midfielder James Macken accounted for their only other point of the half just before the break.

Larkin’s second point left it 0-4 each and the ‘Hill went ahead for the first time from a Barry Dardis free on 20 minutes. Dardis had a goal chance shortly afterwards but drove wide of the target, though the ‘Hill looked comfortable leading 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.

Lenehan’s accuracy from placed balls brought Rathkenny back into contention in the third quarter as Summerhill hit four wides before their opening point of the half.

Dardis had a second chance to find the net, but his point-blank effort was kept out by corner back Niall Brannigan on 50 minutes.

However, scores from Dardis, Liam Shaw, Brian Ennis, Sean Dalton and sub Padraig Jennings eased John Lyons’ men well clear before the final whistle.

SUMMERHILL: Tony McDonnell; Iarlaith Hughes, Willie Ryan, Ronan Ryan; Padraigh Geraghty, Richie Hatton, Ross Ryan; Brian Ennis 0-3f, Micheal Byrne; David Larkin 0-3, Barry Dardis 0-3 (1f), Kevin Lyons; Sean Dalton 0-3, Liam Shaw 0-2, David Dalton 1-1. Sub: Padraig Jennings 0-1 for Lyons (56).

RATHKENNY: Richie Timmons; Niall Brannigan, Ross Gore, Joe Gore; Stephen Crosbie, Donal Keogan 0-1, Thomas McGuinness; Brian Meade 0-1, James Macken 0-1; Jack Thompson, Christy Meade, Robbie Garry 0-1; Brian Lenehan 0-4f, Owen Elliott, Keith Timmons. Subs: Caolach Halligan 0-1f for Thompson (34), Donal Curtis for Elliott (42), Sean Mongey for Garry (52),

REF: Jack Gordon (Walterstown)