Rathkenny promotion hopes are shattered
MOYNALVEY RATHKENNY 1-16 0-9
MINUS a host of regulars - including inter-county panellists Donal Keogan, Caolach Halligan and Robert Garry - Rathkenny never looked capable of making a quick return to the Division 1 league in this promotion/relegation battle at Skryne on Saturday evening.
Moynalvey had won two of their last three games to avoid automatic relegation, and with county footballers and hurlers back in the fold they always had the edge as they secured their top-tier status.
Their task was made all the easier after Rathkenny midfielder Brian Meade received a straight red card following an altercation late in the opening half. Moynalvey were ahead 0-7 to 0-3 at the time and they eventually finished the half leading 0-9 to 0-3.
Rathkenny lacked a cutting edge, especially in attack, and five of their nine points came from Jack Gore frees. They struggled in that department all the way through, even though former inter-county player and now selector Donal Curtis picked off three points.
Curtis was also unfortunate to see another effort booted off the line by Cathal McCabe in the first half, at a time when his side badly needed a goal.
Thomas Martin opened Rathkenny’s account in reply to scores from Cillian O’Sullivan and James Weldon. Further scores from Curtis and Gore had Rathkenny ahead for the only time, but they failed to add to their first-half tally after the 12th minute.
Weldon and Darren Brennan both squandered chances before O’Sullivan, with a long-range effort, had the sides level. Moynalvey added six more points before the end of the half, including a 45 from David McLoughlin after Rathkenny keeper Colin Curtis kept out an effort from O’Sullivan.
The sides swapped points at the start of the second half, but the game was beyond the reach of Rathkenny after Shane Lenehan and Mark O’Sullivan combined to set up McLoughlin for the game’s only goal.
McLoughlin continued to torment the Rathkenny defence and his tally of 1-6 for the hour included three 45s. Moynalvey should have added to their goal tally, but Darren Brennan was denied by a goal-line clearance from Owen Elliott.
MOYNALVEY: Ray Ryan; Conor Harnan, Robert Lawless, Cathal McCabe; Brian O’Reilly, Brian Harnan, Darren Brennan 0-1; John Donoghue, Donal Smyth; Stephen Donoghue 0-2, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-3 (1f), David McLoughlin 1-6 (3 ‘45s); Shane Lenehan 0-1, Mark O’Sullivan 0-1, James Weldon 0-1. Subs: Dara Brannigan 0-1 for Lenehan, Sean Duggan for J Donoghue, James Kelly for Weldon.
RATHKENNY: Colin Curtis; Joe Gore, Ross Gore, Denis Nulty; Stephen Crosbie, Christy Meade, Keith Timmons; James Macken, Brian Meade; Jack Gore 0-5f, Ivan Lenehan, Niall Brannigan; Thomas Martin 0-1, Owen Elliott, Donal Curtis 0-3. Sub: Mark Byrne for Crosbie.
REF: Martin Dawson (St Michael’s)