Rathkenny 2-15, Kilmainham 0-9

Kilmainham made the trip to Rathkenny for this round 9 league match on Saturday 15th June 2024. Both teams were at the opposite end of the league table. Rathkenny were unbeaten and sitting at the top, while Kilmainham were third from bottom.

This was always going to be our toughest fixture. Add to this a few players unavailable this was going to be a bigger challenge. Rathkenny themselves were missing a few regulars but had greater strength and dept to deal with this. The game started as expected with Rathkenny on the front foot, looking to get some early scores but Kilmainham were well set up and had plenty of men back defending in numbers. They were putting pressure on the Rathkeeny attacks. This resulted in the first two shots for the home side going wide. They did hit two free’s in the 8th and 10th minute to open their scoring. Dylan Morgan replied for us with a free on 11 minutes after Larry Morgan was pulled to the ground. Dylan then hit a brilliant point from play as he cut in from the left to fire over from distance. Kilmainham were right in this. We seemed to make some brilliant turnovers but then equally the Rathkenny men were turning us over due to wayward passes. Rathkenny then hit another 2 points from play. Dylan Morgan responded with a point from play on 15 minutes. Rathkenny hit another free on 18 minutes. This game was end to end. Then a crucial score of the first half came on 19 minutes as some slack defending by us allowed Rathkenny play a few one/twos before their number 14 applied an easy finish at the back post. It was a real kick in the teeth, but our lads responded strongly and really, we should have had a goal of our own on 26 minutes. Brilliant teamwork saw us cut through the Rathkenny defence. Mark Newman hit an inviting hand pass on to Jamie O’ Sullivan. He took the ball in full flight as he found himself one and one with the Rathkenny netminder. Unfortunately, his shot was high and straight at the keeper. Conor Kilgallen then hit a point with his left foot after a slip from the Rathkenny full back. Rathkenny hit another point from play before Michael Hoey hit a brilliant point from play off his left foot. Despite being behind at the break, Kilmainham would have been very happy with how they played in the first half.

Half Time Score: Rathkenny 1-7, Kilmainham 0-5

Kilmainham were in no mood to let the intensity drop. Dylan Morgan hit the first point of the second half as we reduced the deficit to 4pts. Rathkenny then hit the next 2 points. Dylan Morgan responded with another free on 18 minutes. Kilmainham had another gilt-edged goal chance as the ball broke kindly for us around the middle. Jamie O’ Sullivan raced on to it, carried it towards the Rathkenny goal, then popped it to his left to the supporting Dylan Morgan, who squared it for Conor Kilgalllen. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t go where we wanted it to and Rathkenny cleared much to the relief of their bench. It felt like our slender chance of getting something from the match was gone. Rathkenny smelt blood and hit 1-6 in the last 10 minutes to put this game to bed. It could have been worse for us, only for a brilliant one v one save from the impressive Dean Peppard in goals. Rathkenny then saw the game out. Overall Rathkenny were the better team over the 60 minutes and were clinical when needed and their stronger bench helped them win this match and remain unbeaten in the league.

Our lads can take great heart from their performance on the night. There was plenty of fight and there was a real determination in our players that has been absent all year. The scoreline is a little harsh but hopefully we can take some learnings from this match heading into championship in August. A special mention to Trevor Lynch starting at corner forward at 40 something years of age! An unbelievable servant to our club. Our next league match will be against Kilbride in Kilbride on Tuesday 25th June at 8pm.

Best for Kilmainham were: Seanie Mahon, Dylan Morgan, Freddie Newman and Padraig Caffrey.

Kilmainham Team: Dean Peppard, Stephen Newman, Harry Newman, Padraig Caffrey, Jamie O’ Sullivan, Seanie Mahon, Ger Morgan, Freddie Newman, Larry Morgan, Mark Newman, Dylan Morgan (0-7), Michael Hoey (0-1), Trevor Lynch, Conor Kilgallen (0-1), Terence Daly.

Subs: Fergal Black for Trevor Lynch, Shane Butler for Harry Newman and Stephen Woods for Terence Daly.

Referee: Peter O’ Halloran (Drumconrath)

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