Gallagher and Curtis put on two-point masterclass as spoils shared
Nothing between St Peter's and Rathkenny in thrilling SFC opener
St Peter’s ...................1-5-4 (17)
Rathkenny.................. 1-3-8 (17)
SEAN WALL
Two players at different ends of the spectrum, career-wise at least, contributed enormously to a fascinating encounter in Group A of the SFC at Dunsany on Thursday evening.
Charlie Gallagher was making his championship debut for St Peter’s while Donal Keogan, 17 years his senior, was probably playing his 1001 game for Rathkenny. Gallagher was superb for the team managed by his dad David, while the veteran Keogan was even better as Rathkenny came mighty close to causing another major shock in the opening round of the campaign.
Twelve months ago Rathkenny humbled holders Dunshaughlin in a first round tie and were within moments of springing another surprise, that was until the young prodigy Gallagher landed a sensational two-pointer to level proceedings for the fourth and final time.
The tie was in the third and final minute of added time when Gallagher struck with his spectacular equaliser, and a feature of the game from a St Peter’s perspective was that they managed more two-pointers than single points which was an unusual occurrence.
The Dunboyne men were probably happiest at the final whistle to have snatched something from a game that they led by five points in the opening half. It was a game of fluctuating fortunes with Rathkenny recovering from that deficit to lead 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time.
They were hauled back level early in the second half but then went four points clear before the end of the third quarter. Two two-pointer frees from Gallagher left it level before St Peter’s regained the lead courtesy of a Sean Delaney two-pointer.
Rathkenny rose to the challenge in fine style however as Keith Curtis gained parity from a two-pointer free before points from the impressive Ciaran O’Hare and Curtis left Rathkenny two clear by the 58th minute.
Gallagher was then off target from another two-pointer free and Rathkenny had an opportunity to go three clear when James O’Hare gained possession but he got caught in two minds and was eventually dispossessed. That left the door open for Gallagher to come to his side’s rescue right at the death.
Both sides’ were guilty of wayward passing at times but there were also some brilliant scores in what proved a fine spectacle. It was fast and furious for the most part with some superb tackling and combination play. St Peter’s opened with a two-pointer from Sean Delaney and they led 1-4 to 0-2 after Liam Byrne sent a teasing delivery into the danger area on 19 minutes and it fell kindly to Mark Furlong who couldn’t miss from close range.
Rathkenny’s goal wasn’t too dissimilar with Joey Curtis lofting a hopeful effort behind the St Peter’s rearguard which Luke Kealy latched onto and finished to the net to leave his side leading for the first time on 25 minutes. Earlier Keith Curtis had hit the first of his three two-point frees.
There was little let up in the intensity throughout the second half with two-pointers proving crucial for both sides.
St Peter’s: Colin McCabe; Jack Hayes, Seamus Lavin, Cian O’Dwyer; Cian Smith, Liam Byrne, Ciaran McCormack (0-1); Shane McEntee, Charlie Gallagher (0-7 one free, two two-point frees, one two-pointer); Mark Furlong (1-0), Michael Murphy, John Harkin (0-1); Robbie McCarthy, Sean Delaney (0-5 two two-pointers), Jason Gleeson. Subs: Donal Lenihan for Gleeson 42m, Cian Tobin for Smith 44m, Andrew Howlin for McCarthy 52m, Fergal Waters for McEntee 57m, Eoghan McDonald for Furlong 63m.
Rathkenny: Finn Moore; Mark Byrne, Sean O’Hare, Aaron Johnson; Padraig McKeever, Donal Keogan (0-1), Ciaran O’Hare (0-1); Joey Curtis (0-2), Christy Meade; Luke Kealy (1-0), Keith Curtis (0-8 three two-point frees), Robert Garry (0-1); Oisín Cummins Fuller (0-1), James O’Hare, Adam Byrne. Subs: Corbin Jenkinson for Cummins Fuller half-time, James Macken for Meade 48m, Brian Meade for McKeever 52m.
Referee: Patrick Coyle (Curraha).