Ravenous Rathkenny devour Kilbride

SFC newcomers swept aside by determined Joey Farrelly side

Rathkenny .........................1-1-21 (26)

Kilbride .................................1-0-4 (7)

Not even veteran Kilbride supporters could recall the last time their team won a game in the Meath senior championship, writes Sean Wall.

The general consensus was sometime in the mid-1970s, probably 1976, and that gap was extended by another two weeks at least following this Group A loss at Tony Callaghan Park, Duleek on Thursday evening.

That elusive victory, if it eventually arrives should be enough to preserve the Dublin-border side’s place in the senior grade. That’s a big if however as on the evidence of this performance Kilbride’s status in the grade will come under serious pressure.

It was a night to forget for Anthony Moyles’ outfit that was metaphorically eaten alive by their ravenous opponents. Rathkenny resembled a pack of animals who had not only missed breakfast but their supper the night before as they unceremoniously devoured their opponents in this one-sided contest.

It was a harsh lesson meted out to the senior newcomers as Rathkenny had far too much guile, know-how and nous at this level and they wasted little time is dismantling Kilbride’s best laid plans. Joey Farrelly’s side had shown their credentials when sharing the spoils with St Peter’s in the opening round and they continued where they left off in that game with a devastating display of fast controlled football as they opened up a five point advantage inside the opening quarter and had the contest put to bed by half-time when leading 1-10 to 0-1.

Kilbride were boosted by a goal and then a point within two minutes of the restart but it was only a brief respite as the one-sidedness continued throughout the second half with Rathkenny mindful that score difference could well come into play in the group continued to pile on the scores throughout the half. If one were to find fault with the Rathkenny display it was that they didn’t add two more goals to their tally in the closing stages.

Rathkenny were far superior in all facets of the game and sectors of the pitch and if Kilbride hadn’t already known that the senior grade was a much more unforgiving world than what they were used to they did by the end of this one.

The tearaway Luke Kealy hit Rathkenny’s opening three points and that lead soon doubled following further scores from Keith Curtis (free), Christy Meade and Ciaran O’Hare. Keith and Joey Curtis stretched out the lead and then on the half hour mark Ciaran O’Hare took a pass from Christy Meade and cutting in from the left finished brilliantly to the net.

There was still time for Kealy to add his fourth point of the half and for keeper Luke Faherty to open Kilbride’s account from a ’45.

Straight from the restart Kilbride won possession and when a point effort from Finn White rebounded off an upright David O’Leary collected and calmly slotted to the net. That though would be Kilbride’s only score from play.

Josh Harford slotted over a close range free shortly after and suddenly there was the prospect of a contest at last. It was not to be however as normal service was resumed with Keith Curtis (two), Joey Curtis and Kealy on the mark for Rathkenny in the third quarter. In that same spell O’Leary and keeper Faherty converted frees to complete the Kilbride tally.

The only two-pointer of the hour arrived from the boot of Keith Curtis, a free on 51 minutes. Kealy had a goal chance on 54 minutes but was denied by a fine save from Faherty at the expense of a ’45 which Keith Curtis converted. Curtis eventually brought his tally to nine points and tested the Kilbride crossbar near the finish.

To compound Kilbride’s tale of woe they finished with 14 after Ronan O’Leary was forced off with an injury when their quota of subs had already been used.

Rathkenny: Finn Moore; Aaron Johnson, Mark Byrne, Padraig McKeever; Ciaran O’Hare (1-2), Sean O’Hare, Adam Byrne; Donal Keogan, James O’Hare; Christy Meade (0-1), Joey Curtis (0-3), Robert Garry; Luke Kealy (0-6), Keith Curtis (0-9, five frees, one two-point free, one ’45), Corbin Jenkinson (0-1). Subs: Oisin Cummins Fuller for A Byrne 51m, James Macken for Meade, Davy Curtis (0-1) for Garry both 53m, Brian Meade for Kealy 56m, Daniel Gavagan for J O’Hare 58m.

Kilbride: Luke Faherty (0-2, one free, one ’45); Cian Harford, Ronan O’Leary, Aaron Duggan; Finn White, Timmy Farrell, Andrew McWeeney; Caolan Howard, Daniel Boyd; Fiachra Coffey, James Gavin, Gareth Rooney; Josh Harford (0-1 one free), David O’Leary (1-1 one free), Warren Rogers. Subs: Adam Malone for Rooney 37m, Cillian Murphy for McWeeney 41m, Barry O’Leary for Howard 49m, Fiachra Gorman for Rogers 58m, James Brown for J Harford.

Referee: Robert Purfield (St Patrick’s)