Good start is half the battle for on song Rathmore / Kilcummin

QUARTER-FINAL Rathmore/kilcummin 1-10 St Kierans 1-9

RATHMORE / Kilcummin disposed the challenge of reigning champions St Kierans in a thrilling Credit Union U-20 Football Invitation Cup quarter final in Rathmore last Wednesday night and in doing so set up a semifinal derby clash with East Kerry ( Tuesday, January 24 at 8pm).

Effectively, the home side availed of a productive opening to ensure a favourable position. St Kierans trailed by seven points at a stage in the opening half yet they fought gallantly but all to no avail. However, Rathmore / Kilcummin soaked up late pressure to survive and set up a highly appealing semi final date against East Kerry.

Rathmore / Kilcummin couldn’t have asked for a better start on availing of the elements to dictate matters. With Mark Reen on target, the hosts raced into an early lead. Indeed, Rathmore / Kilcummin looked the more accomplished side through the commanding play of Damien O’leary, Noel Duggan, and Jamie O’sullivan with the attacking play of Reen and John Moynihan spectacular in its simplicity.

Moynihan was at the end of a well worked move that pushed Rathmore / Kilcummin into a commanding 1-5 to 0-1 position. St Kierans took remedial action with Matthew Galvin delegated to curtail the ever dangerous Moynihan.

Indeed, the holders sparked an improvement from the laudable workrate of Galvin, Mike King, Philip O’connor, Thomas Hickey and Mike Mccarthy. And St Kierans were right back in the hunt after a Hickey goal cut the deficit 1-8 to 1-6 at the break.

The initiative appeared to lay with St Kierans upon the restart. However, an injury to Mccarthy robbed Kierans of a key figure and missed chances saw efforts from four frees go abegging. A more economical Rathmore / Kilcummin counter attacked for Reen to bisect the posts.

St Kierans plugged away and points to Denis Mcaulliffe and Hickey left the minimum between the pair. A more sharper Rathmore / Kilcummin held out and guarded their precious lead to the finishing line.

RATHMORE / KILCUMMIN: D Mcsweeney; E O’connor, D O’leary, C Jenkins; G O’leary, N Duggan, B O’keeffe; J O’sullivan, T Kelleher(0-1), I Devane (0-2), M Reen (0-5, 4f), P Cronin (0-1), J Friel, C O’leary, J Moynihan (1-1)

ST KIERANS: C Kiely; M Brosnan, J O’connor, T O’connell; M Galvin, E Kiely, M Lynch; M King, D O’connell; D O’mahony, T Hickey (1-3, 2f), S Brosnan; P O’connor (0-3), M Mccarthy, D Mcaulliffe ( 0- 3, 2f) Sub: P Herlihy for Mccarthy (inj)

REFEREE: D O’leary (Kiskeam)