Our Intermediate team played Connollys in Ardagh on Sunday afternoon. Rathcline were under pressure straight away with quick diagonal ball into their forwards and Connollys were causing problems all over the pitch. There was some decent play down each flank by our players with Kevin Sorohan delivering decent ball into our forward line from the left. Rathcline were just about keeping tabs with Connollys from a points perspective but goals change and win games. With ten minutes to play in the first half Connollys found the net, it was a hammer blow, they also tacked on another couple of points, which meant the scoreline read 1-7 to 3 points at half time. We had a mountain to climb against a well organised team. To be fair our players put in a more determined effort in the second half and gradually really started to put Connollys under pressure, good fielding at midfield and forwards taking their chances saw Rathcline score 7 points in the second half, but it wasn't enough and Connollys themselves scored a couple of points late on. Rathcline had two differing halves and just couldn't claw the deficit back against a good team. Final score was Connollys 1-11 Rathcline 10 points.
Our next fixture is next weekend, it's a play off to see who gets into the semi final of the Intermediate championship. We play our neighbours and rivals Killashee. It's the last chance for both teams and it promises to be an exciting game. Thanks for your support at the Connollys game and get behind the team for this next fixture. Please check the fixture list for more details or our Facebook/website sites.
The club have two tickets for the All Ireland Hurling Final which takes place at Croke Park. What a game it will be with old foes Kilkenny taking on a resurgent Tipperary team. Cards are in all businesses and shops around the town, its €2 a line and someone will win the tickets, so please support if you can!
There was no winner of this week's lotto draw. The winning numbers were 3, 9, 18, 28, 32 and 43. Next week's jackpot is €1700. The €25 winners were Frank Conmy Rathcline Road, Declan Connor Ballyleague, Sean Kenny Fermoyle and Mary Nally, Nallys Pub.
Rathcline Ladies
Congratulations to our Minor team who had an impressive 10 points win over Killoe on Sunday afternoon in Clonbonny. This margin doesn't quite tell the full story with the Rathcline ladies losing by 5 points at half time, but knowing these players, defeat is not an option. A strong team on paper who know each other very well, this could be a season of promise for the Rathcline Minor ladies. With a strong management set up of Steve Peters, Paula Kenny, Caoimhe Murray, Dan McGann and the Queen herself Madeline Murray, all the parts are there and we wish the team the best of luck when they take on Mullinaghta in the next round on Sunday. The game is in Mullinaghta so please check fixture list for time.
Rathcline Minor Club
Well done to our Minor team who reached the Minor B final. They meet Colmcille in the final and this promises to be a great game of football. Please keep an eye on fixture list for the date and time.
Congratulations to our U 14 team who progressed to a championship semi final against Colmcille. A big thanks to the Killoe U 14 team who travelled to Clonbonny for a challenge match during the week.
The U 16's were beaten by Clonguish and now go into the Shield semi final.
The U 12's play Colmcille, again please check fixture list for time and venue.
The U 10's and U 8's are still training on a Friday evening, again a big thanks to all the parents that bring their kids out and to the coaches, well done to all.
The minor club are looking for some sponsorship for tops for the Minor team and the U 14 team. Both groups have done their parish proud so far. If you are interested then please contact Sean Kenny or Seadna Ryan.
Finally a happy birthday to Daithi Mulvihill, he turned the big 21 over the weekend, and Cullentra was the place to be Saturday night. Daithi who sometimes get mistaken for a teenager due to his short height can finally shake off that tag now that he is officially an adult!