Rathkenny 1-11 Castletown 0-15

A haul of 10 points from Barry Smith was the main reason Castletown left Rathkenny with the vital 2 league points. As expected, this was a hard fought encounter where no quarter was asked or given. Both teams had spells of dominance but it was Smith, now entering veteran status, that provided the firepower to get Castletown over the line.

The game didn't start too well for the visitors when wing back Wayne Donegan was the recipient of a harsh black card from the referee very early in the game. Wayne has been in excellent form all year and was surely going to carry that on in this game. William Bellew stepped in and displayed a level of composure and skill that belied his 16 years.

Castletown started the better but could not make the territorial advantage pay. Some nice first half scores from Barry Smith from various parts of the pitch were the main highlights. James Finnerty continued his good form with many darting runs through the Rathkenny defense. Kenny & Tommy Smith were on hand to help their big brother with the scoring duty. Late in the first half Rathkenny began to cause some problems. Jack Gore was on hand to tap in a goal which resulted from a quick free over the top of the Castletown defense, who seemed to be caught off guard, expecting the free to be signaled the other way. A pointed free followed quickly afterwards and suddenly the outlook was a lot different. Half time score was Rathkenny 1-4 Castletown 0-6.

The second half continued in the same trend as the first. Castletown had much of the possession however Rathkenny to their credit stayed close. The lead changed hands on a number of occasions, neither team able to kick on and end things as a contest. Barry Smith continued to show his range of skills, converting his free kicks with ease as well as finding the range from near and far. Paul Cribbin contributed a fine score to the Castletown cause. Gerry Farrelly was now dominant in midfield. His kick passing into the Castletown forward unit was exceptional. Noel Smyth was attacking from his wing back berth with regularity and purpose.

In the final quarter when the game was in the melting pot Paul Smith was on hand to pull off a great save. A bit of 'niggle' began to emerge as both teams put their bodies on the line for the cause. A second Castletown black card was administered when substitute Matthew Carroll was deemed to drag his opponent to the ground. Alan Smyth was an able replacement.

Castletown were 2 points up entering the end phase but Rathkenny gained a lifeline with 2 late scores. A draw looked the most likely result but Barry Smith had other ideas as he knocked over his tenth point of the evening from free to keep Castletown in the hunt for the division 2 honours. Next up for the men in green & gold is a home tie against Dunderry on Saturday July 19.

Castletown team- Paul Smith, Joey Carry, Francis Bellew, Jonathan Metry, Wayne Donegan, Francis Hoey, Noel Smyth, Ross Blaney, Gerry Farrelly, Paul Cribbin(0-1), James Finnerty, Kenny Smith(0-2), Shane Farrelly, Barry Smith (0-10) Tommy Smith(0-2).

Sub used-William Bellew, Matthew Carroll, Alan Smyth



RATHKENNY REPORT

Rathkenny 1-11
Castletown 0-15

Rathkenny came up short in this A League Division 2 local derby against Castletown played in Rathkenny last Tuesday evening, July 15th

The hosts opened the scoring with a Caolach Halligan point in the opening minute. Thomas Martin struck over a free on ten minutes and another point on the quarter hour mark to edge the hosts into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead. However the visitors sent over the next three scores to lead by two approaching half time. Jack Gore got on the end of a Keith Timmons pass following a quickly worked free kick to drill to the net two minutes before halftime. Another Thomas Martin free left the hosts leading by the minimum at the break.

Centre back Ross Gore finished off a good passing move inside the opening second half minute before Caolach Halligan extended the gap to three on 33 minutes. Scores from Caolach Halligan and Cathal McCabe sandwiched two points from the visitors, before the visitors levelled matters courtesy of three unanswered scores. Substitute Owen Elliott then had a goal scoring chance which was tipped over by the Castletown net minder as the hosts edged back in front again on 44 minutes. Three further scores on the bounce put the visitors in the ascendancy with five minutes left on the clock. A Thomas Martin free reduced the arrears to the minimum before Jack Gore sent over the equaliser with time almost up. The visitors sent over the winning point two minutes into injury time and held on to take the points.

Rathkenny - C. Curtis; S. Crosbie, T. McKeever, N. Branigan; D. Nulty, R. Gore (0-1), M. Macken; J. Macken, C. Meade; C. Halligan (0-3), I. Lenehan, C. McCabe (0-1); T. Martin (0-4), J. Gore (1-1), K. Timmons. Subs O. Elliott (0-1) for McCabe, S. Mongey for Nulty Tweet

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