Kilbride edge out champs
Tuesday August 31 2010
KILBRIDE 0-07 RATHVILLY 0-05: RATHVILLY'S perceived invincibility ran thin in Spellman Park on Saturday when they surrendered their automatic SFC semi-final place when crashing rather tamely to a very enthusiastic Kilbride who led for much of the trip. The champions have won a county title with five scores before, but this time they were on the receiving end for much of the contest, but should have made more use of a generous free-count in their favour in the second half.
Kilbride defended superbly with James Foley, Eoin Nolan and John O'Neill leading the charge which restricted the holders to just two scores from play among their nine forwards; those from wingers Larry Farrell and Ed Finnegan.
That said the winners were not better at the offensive end, also posting two points from play from their front six and those from Seamus Gray and former defender Jason Carroll who has transferred to the attack with quite some success.
Perhaps passage guaranteed for both led to less than full throttle, but only defences gained satisfaction from the exercise; Rathvilly looking to Brian Leonard, Stephen Murphy and Tony Bolger to float their challenge.Midfield presented a good tussle with Darragh Foley top of the list and partner Joe Waters making life very difficult for Brendan Murphy and the energetic Ken Doyle who was later partnered by the evergreen Sean Kavanagh when Murphy was withdrawn with an ankle injury.
No, it was far from a classic with forwards subservient as the teams shared equality twice and Kilbride going through the interval 5-4 up.
Rathvilly opened on a threatening note when Brendan Murphy Doyle were foiled in front of goal in the fourth minute with Gary Dempsey first to score when converting a free.
After dreadful messing within shooting distance Larry Farrell doubled the lead but Kilbride hit back with points from Darragh Foley and Seamus Gray (free) by the 15th minute and went 4-2 courtesy of Gray again and Carroll. Finnegan closed to one before Gray pointed a free with San Kavanagh ending the scoring with a mighty kick from the left in the final minute. The second half was an embarrassment to all forwards; Rathvilly levelling when Doyle pumped a long left-footer over after Farrell was blocked and moments later Alan Kelly was foiled by Derry O'Toole too.
There was little purchase at the other end either with Gray landing frees in the 52nd and 59th minutes to see Kildavin-Clonegal overtake the champions and qualify for the semi-finals.
It was hardly of note that Ed Finnegan was dismissed on a second yellow about 50 seconds from the final curtain.
There was a minutes silence before the throw-in in memory of Dinny Nolan (Rathvilly) father of last year's captain David. The deceased was interred on Sunday.
- PAUL DONAGHY At Spellman Park
