County men in from the cold to boost Rathkenny
Rathkenny Curraha 2-12 3-7
WHEN God closes one door he opens another!
Rathkenny were able to call on their inter-county panellists Donal Keogan and Caolach Halligan as well as selector Donal Curtis for this clash in Dunganny on Sunday following the postponement of the NFL tie in wintry Cavan.
Halligan accounted for five points from midfield, while wing forward Keogan struck for 1-1, while County selector Curtis was introduced as a second-half substitute.
Curraha also had James McEntee in their line-up and he hit 1-4 as his side suffered a second defeat from three outings.
Rathkenny set the pace from the time Halligan opened their account after a minute and he added a second point, while Keith Curtis and Brian Meade were also on target before Jack O’Connor had Curraha off the mark.
Curraha were level for the only time following McEntee’s goal on 12 minutes, but Halligan soon restored the Rathkenny lead. That was extended further after Keogan found the net and by half-time Rathkenny had built up a 1-7 to 1-3 advantage.
Halligan and Brian Murphy exchanged points at the start of the second half before Rathkenny squandered an opportunity to put daylight between the teams. Keith Curtis was fouled for a penalty, only for Halligan to shoot the resultant spot kick straight at Liam Hogan.
Brian Meade’s 39th-minute point left five between the teams, but then substitute Sean Keogh gave Curraha renewed hope with his side’s second goal, leaving it 1-10 to 2-5.
However, Rathkenny replied in the best possible fashion - with a goal of their own - and then James Macken added a point.
McEntee hit back with two points and Conor Moriarty netted on 52 minutes to leave the minimum between the teams.
Curraha, though, were unable to conjure an equaliser and a fisted point from Keith Timmons made the game safe for the Rathkenny men.
RATHKENNY: Colin Curtis; Niall Brannigan, Ross Gore, Joe Gore; Thomas McGuinness, Christy Meade, Stephen Crosbie; Robbie Garry 1-1, Caolach Halligan 0-5; Donal Keogan 1-1, Brian Meade 0-2, Jack Gore; Keith Curtis 0-1, James Macken 0-1, Keith Timmons 0-1. Sub: Donal Curtis for C Meade.
CURRAHA: Liam Hogan; Mark Jackson, Sean O’Hanrahan, Seamus Hogan; Gavin Coyle, Neil Shortall, David Toner; Brian Murphy 0-1, Brian Joyce; Padraig O’Hanrahan, James McEntee 1-4, Phelim Dowling; Conor Moriarty 1-0, Jack O’Connor 0-2, David Coyle. Sub: Sean Joyce 1-0.
Pat Clarke (Seneschalstown)
SYDDAN: Ciaran Farrelly; Ryan Summersby, Ronan Mooney, Mark Fedigan; Kevin Traynor 0-1, Andrew Garland, Stuart Fedigan 2-0; Sean Clare, Cathal Dardis; Graham Garland, Daire Rowe 0-6 (3fs), Michael Fedigan; Cormac Rowe 1-2, Gary Farrelly, Padraic Dillon 0-1. Subs - Peter Sheehy for Clare (48), Brian Dillon for P Dillon (51), Ben Bashford for Mooney (56), Robbie Farrelly for G Farrelly (60). BLACKHALL: David Ferris; Ciaran Nally, Dan Carty, James Kelly; Hugh Smith, Donnacha Tobin, Donnacha Healy; Patsy O’Brien, John Fagan 1-1; Kevin O’Keane, Sean Whelan 0-6 (3fs, 1 ‘45), Andy Brady 0-1; Paul Kelly, Robbie McGuinness, Alan Nestor 0-2.
REF: Jason Plunkett (Clonard)
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