Heart stopping stuff as Rathkenny claim title in thriller
Duleek/Bellewstown lose out in IFC final but only after extra-time
What a game. What tension. What excitement. What a finish.
Today's IFC final at Pairc Tailteanns had just about everything as Rathkenny and Duleek/Bellewstown went on all out for victory - and between them conjured up a little classic, a gem of a contest that went to extra-time.
In the end Rathkenny just about did enough to win (1-18 to 2-14) with Donal Curtis's well-tuned, deeply-motivated team displaying all the resilience, the self-belief, the swashbuckling sense of adventure needed to claim the Mattie McDonnell Cup - and how their fans savoured the moment.
Rightfully so because for a sizeable chunk of normal time, Rathkenny trailed their fancied opponents but they were ahead when it mattered most.
At half-time in normal time even the most optimistic of Rathkenny fans must have started to fear their team would not make it to the Promised Land. They trailed 0-7 to 2-6 and were struggling to put their imprint in a game after starting like a steam train.
Early in the second-half of normal time Rathkenny went six behind. Then as the action sped on they really started to do their impersonation of Lazarus and come back from the dead. The highly influential Keith Curtis slotted over two points from frees.
Then Rathkenny made a huge breakthrough. The scored their goal with 49 minutes played. James Macken, who wasn't on long, was involved in the move that also featured Brian Meade and Oisin Cummins Fuller. They worked the ball to Eoghan Heavey out on the left. The pacy corner-forward switched on the after-burners, ghosted past a defender and slotted the ball to the net from a narrow angle. It was game back on. Now the sides were level, 1-11 to 2-8.
Max McKenna edged Rathkenny back in front with a well-executed point from play. The turnaround was complete.
However, that's when the tension really rocked up a few more notches as the drama unfolded. Curtis pointed for Rathkenny, the nerveless Alan Bowden clamly slotted over a free for Duleek/Bellewstown. Again Curtis pointed, this time from play, to put Rathkenny two up. It looked like it might be enough but wait ....Joe Sheridan's Duleek/Bellewstown were not finished.
In the closing minutes of normal time points from Bowden again and John Flood hauled the green and golds back level. The scoreboard read: Rathkenny 1-14, Duleek/Bellewstown 2-11. The whistle blew to end normal time. It was on to extra-time.
The play ebbed and flowed in the extra 20 minutes played but with the help of further points from Curtis (two), Cummins-Fuller (two) Rathkenny stayed in front. Duleek/Bellewstown did muster further points from Bowden (two) and Shane Crosby in extra-time but it wasn't enough.
Helped by some tigerish defending Rathkenny were able to hold out for a famous victory. Duleek/Bellewstown were left crestfallen.
Both sides deserve some sort of award - and their respective management teams - because they both went out to play football - and the spectators lapped it up.
There wasn't a parked bus in sight, thankfully, as the players sought to take a stranglehold on the game through enterprising, attacking football. It was honest to goodness stuff. How football should be played.
There were so many twists and turns but some stand out. Duleek/Bellewstown had two penalties awarded to them. The first on 25 minutes when they put together a sweeping move with John McDonnell passing to Eoghan Heeney was as deemed to have been fouled by Rathkenny 'keeper Charlie Cullen. It looked a right call by referee Andrew Smith, who made his decison after he had consulted an umpire. Bowden swept home the penalty with a fine strike to his right. Cullen was wrong-footed.
In the opening minutes of extra-time referee Smith pointed to the spot again, this time after Duleek/Bellewstown's Heeney was fouled. Again Bowden stepped forward. Again he opted to hit the ball to the right. Only this time Cullen guessed correctly. He dived, cat-like, to his left and made a super save. The stand erupted with noise.
The potency Duleek/Bellewstown carried at times in attack could be seen in the way they scored the opening goal of the game on 12 minutes. Cianan Byrne and Flood combined well to create and opening for McDonnell who took his time before arrowing a power shot to the net.
That was just one of the numerous moments of high-quality football produced in this thriller. It was no wonder Duleek/Bellewstown players slumped to the ground in dejection when all the drama was over. They gave it everything but still fell short.
Rathkenny had heroes all over the pitch. Brian Meade may have 'only' scored a point but he caught ball after ball, dominating the airways. He single-handedly ensured the Duleek/Bellestown kick-out strategy was a rich source of Rathkenny possession.
Keith Curtis underlined his rich talent with 11 points, seven frees, one mark. He also earned a number of frees and had a goal-bound shot brilliantly and bravely blocked by Duleek/Bellewstown's Robin Clarke in extra-time. Cummins Fuller, Brian Meade, Jack Gore, McKenna, Daniel Gavigan and Noah Jenkinson all contributing points.
Alan Bowden was immense for the vanquished side, hitting 1-7, with Flood, Kyle Callaghan, Tom Bowden, Shane Crosby and and Jamie Crosby others to raise white flags.
Everyone who played in this game deserves credit for contributing to a memorable contest. Referee Smith kept the action flowing. That was a big factor too.
"Not good for the heart," said one delighted if relieved Rathkenny man afterwards. We knew what he meant.
SCORERS
Rathkenny - Keith Curis 0-11 seven frees, one mark; Eoghan Heavey 1-0; Oisin Cummins Fuller 0-2; Jack Gore 0-1; Noah Jenkinson 0-1; Max McKenna 0-1; Daniel Gavigan 0-1; Brian Meade 0-1;
Duleek/Bellewstown - Alan Bowden 1-7 penalty, six frees; John Flood 0-3; John McDonnell 1-0; Tom Bowden 0-2; Shane Crosby 0-1; Jamie Crosby 0-1.
TEAMS
Rathkenny - Charlie Cullen; Sean O'Hare, Adam Byrne, James O'Hare; Cormac Jenkinson, Mark Byrne, Noah Jenkinson; Donal Keogan, Christy Meade; Jack Gore, Max McKenna, Daniel Gavigan; Keith Curtis, Brian Meade, Eoghan Heavey. Subs - Ross Gore for C Jenkinson half-time, Padraig McKeever for C Meade 35 mins, Oisin Cummins-Fuller 41m, James Macken for N Jenkinson 43m, Niall Branigan for Gavigan 58m, Aaron Johnson for S O'Hare 76m.
Duleek/Bellewstown - Ryan Lynch; Tom Bowden, Kevin McCann, Sam O'Leary; Brian Fitzpatrick, Robin Clarke, Cianan Byrne; Alan Bowden, Shane Crosby; John Flood, Cian Ryan, Oisin Miland; John McDonnell, Jamie Crosby, Eoghan Heeney. Subs - Elliott Lenehan for J Crosby 44 mins, Darren Heeney for S Crosby, Colm Regan for Fitzpatrick both 55m, Ciaran Flynn for Ryan 61m, S Crosby for Byrne 67m, Dylan Collins for Miland 75m, Joe Harford for Heeney 79m.
Referee - Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin).
QUOTES AND PHOTOS FROM GAME IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE