Rathkenny crowned A FL Div 2 champs

Rathkenny finished their campaign on a positive note tonight when they produced a solid final quarter to hold off the late challenge of Moynalvey in the A FL Div 2 final at Castletown by 0-13 to 0-12.

Moynalvey may very well be wondering how they didn't manage to win the game as they out-scored Rathkenny in that final quarter by 0-7 to 0-1 and it was that crucial point from Jack Gore in the 53rd minute that ultimatle sustained Des Lane's men.

The Rathkenny manager was delighted with the victory - 'We hung on and we won the game, it shows the players that they have the ability to win a game in that manner and that will stand them in good stead in the future,' he commented.

The tight finish was the least likely looking outcome after a tame enough first-half during which Rathkenny established a 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead.

Four first-half points was a poor return for Moynalvey, but they were also denied a couple of goals with Colin Curtis in good form between the posts for Rathkenny as Caolach Halligan and Thomas Martin (two each), Robbie Garry, Brian Meade and Keith Timmons pointed.

Mark O'Sullivan (two), Conor Harnan and Cillian O'Sullivan accounted for the Moynalvey points and managed one more in the third-quarter James Weldon before they found some late energy with the introduction of substitute James O'Neill.

O'Neill, Cillian and Mark O'Sullivan each added a brace of points with Weldon also on target, but Rathkenny did the spadework more consistently as James Macken, Halligan, Martin, Ivan Lenehan and Gore registered in the third-quarter.

Rathkenny's performance for the hour merited victory and they brought the Kevin McConnell Cup on the shot journey home from Castletown.