Moran magic moves Tones to last four

Rathkenny push title pretenders to their limits

Wolfe Tones 1-2-8 (15)

Rathkenny 0-2-9 (13)

It was more a stumble than the stroll which many expected but Wolfe Tones made it across the line and into the semi-finals in the SFC at a wet and windy Devenish Park, Dunganny on Saturday afternoon.

It was anything but a vintage display from the pretenders to Summerhill’s crown and they will be disappointed by their overall performance as Rathkenny got into their faces from the opening whistle.

Tones play was pedestrian and ponderous at time and that played into their neighbours hands who turned over possession on numerous occasions when Shane McCoy’s charges took the ball into contact.

The miserable conditions made it difficult for both teams but Tones were more prone to mistakes and on numerous occasions kicked possession away cheaply.

Rathkenny played to their strengths but they lacked forwards to share the scoring responsibilities with Keith Curtis who tallied 11 of his side’s points. Curtis was the only real danger in the Rathkenny attack although Joey Curtis did show up well at times but played far too deep to be a real threat near goal.

For the most part it was a dour enough affair with Tones struggling to perform anywhere close to their best. When they needed a spark and a player to grab the game by the throat it was provided by Kyle Moran who only started because Sarán Ó Fionnagáin cried off with an injury just before the throw-in.

Moran hit a crucial point to edge his side in front with 10 minutes remaining but more importantly he cut through the Rathkenny rearguard to crack home the game’s only goal on 57 minutes for a score that proved the difference at the finish.

Tones played with the advantage of the stiff breeze in the opening half but despite this and some great high fielding from Adam O’Neill they failed to build up an advantage that would sustain them in the second half.

Thomas O’Reilly opened their account from a free before two Keith Curtis pointed frees gave Rathkenny the lead. A fine two-pointer from O’Reilly had Tones back in front and they extended their lead following further scores from Oisin Martin and Fiachra Ward.

Keith Curtis hit his third point and first from play on 20 minutes before a two-pointer free that was brought forward for dissent was converted by Caolan Ward which left it 0-7 to 0-3 after 23 minutes.

Rathkenny went close to finding the net soon after as Joey Curtis burst through but his effort went over the bar when it could have easily went under it.

Davy Curtis converted a free to edge Rathkenny closer before Tones went close to finding the net as Fiachra Ward got on the end of an Oisin Martin delivery but Finn Moore got down to make an excellent block at the expense of a ’45 which Caolan Ward converted.

Keith Curtis then converted another free on the cusp of half time to leave two between the sides’ at the break, Tones leading 0-8 to 0-6.

A two-pointer free from Keith Curtis had the teams’ level within three minutes of the restart and Rathkenny then hit three successive wides in their efforts to go ahead.

Keith Curtis from a ’45 eventually edged Rathkenny in front and at that stage Joey Farrelly’s side had every chance of advancing to the last four. Tones had already sent for reinforcements and it was substitute Cian O’Neill who restored parity on 47 minutes.

Kyle Moran then edged Tones back in front but it was level again after Curtis converted his second ’45. And when Tones kicked possession away Donal Keogan seized on the mistake to set up Curtis for the lead point on 54 minutes.

Tom Gavigan from the left wing left it level for the fifth time on 56 minutes before Kyle Moran turned on the after burners and blasted to the net for a decisive goal.

Thomas O’Reilly converted a free to extend the lead before Curtis converted another two-pointer on 64 minutes to keep Rathkenny hopes alive. However they never got the opportunity of another score in the remaining minute.

Wolfe Tones: Ciarán Ó Gallachóir; Conor Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Andrew Crawford; Brughach Ó Fionnagáin, Ross Gallagher, Seán Penny; Adam O’Neill, Eoin Donegan; Oisín Martin (0-1), Thomas O’Reilly (0-4 two frees, one two-pointer), Caolan Ward (0-3, two-point free, one ’45); Fiachra Ward (0-1), Tom Gavigan (0-1), Kyle Moran (1-1). Subs: Cian O’Neill (0-1) for Ó Fionnagáin 35m, Ben Reilly for C Ward 48m, Adrian Crawford for Penny 52m, Padraic Diamond for Donegan 58m.

Rathkenny: Finn Moore; Mark Byrne, Adam Byrne, Aaron Johnson; Ciaran O’Hare, Seán O’Hare, Padraig McKeever; Donal Keogan, James O’Hare; Christy Meade, Joey Curtis (0-1), Robert Garry; Davy Curtis (0-1 free), Keith Curtis (0-11 three frees, two two-point frees, two ‘45s), Luke Kealy. Subs: Oisin Cummins Fuller for Kealy 46m, Corbin Jenkinson for D Curtis 52m, James Macken for McKeever, Brian Meade for C Meade both 64m.

Referee: David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels).