Rathkenny/St Marys 2-18 Summerhill 4-11

Nobody was in any doubt as to how tight this final would be, but this was as close a game as you could wish to see. Such was the drama, excitement, and quality of the football on display the Meath officials in attendance could have justified charging an additional €5- to spectators as they left Dunganny last night. PHOTOS

“RathMarys” as the players have taken to call the amalgamation, “Mary Kenny” just didn’t have the same ring to it got off to the perfect start when Joey Curtis won the throw in and ran straight through the middle to kick the opening point after 20 seconds, Summerhill equalised within 2 mins. RathMarys then went on a scoring spree scoring 1-04 without reply, this was helped in no small way by some terrific defending by Cal Kealy and Ruari Condra and excellent work in the half forward line by Patrick Owens, the superb AJ Bradshaw, and an always lively Aaron Keogh. Andrew Brien started the scoring with a free, Eoin Jackson then added a wonder point from play. Fionn Moore then got in on the action with 2 superb 45’s and a goal from play when an effort from Tadhg Mc Laughlin was spilled by the Summerhill goalkeeper. Summerhill then steadied the ship somewhat with an excellent 45 and point from play. Converted frees were then exchanged, one from the ever-reliable Andrew Brien, who then followed up with a point from play. RathMarys were now 1-08 to 0-4 to the good, however Summerhill pulled back 2 points before the impressive Fionn Brereton showed tremendous skill and determination to find the net, RathMarys lead 1-08 to 0-06 when David Gough called an end to the first half.

RathMarys must have been happy with their 8-point lead heading into the second half but would have been acutely aware of Summerhill’s ability to score goals having put 5 past them in the 1st round and averaged 5 goals per game during the championship. That gaol threat was soon realised when Summerhill scored a goal, RathMarys steadied the ship when Camin Hughes was fouled, and Andrew Brien converted the resultant free. The tigerish Tadhg Mc Laughlin scored a beautiful point, and the gap was at 7. However, 2 Summerhill goals in quick succession turned this game on its head, the gap was down to 1 and the momentum was with Summerhill and could have added another but for a magnificent block from Ciaran O Hare and stunning save from Sean Gilespie.  Again Andrew Brien was on hand to point a free and put 2 between the sides. Summerhill then converted a 45 and then came another goal for them. Summerhill now led for the first time in the game and to compound things RathMarys joint captain and midfield dynamo Joey Cutis was forced off after a careless and dangerous tackle as he was bearing in on goal. However, RathMarys continued to pile on the pressure and won 3 frees in the last 4 minutes, all scored by the always reliable Andrew Brien. This left us 1 up heading into injury time and when a Summerhill 45 dropped unexpectedly short we lost the break David Gough spotted a foul Summerhill couldn’t miss and full time ended in a draw- RathMarys 2-14 Summerhill 4-8.

Joint captains Patrick Owens and Joey Curtis raise the MFC Division 4 cup at Dunganny

So, who would have the upper hand going into extra time? Had we blown our chance? That certainly looked the case as Summerhill scored 3 points without reply, 2 from play and 1 free. In fact, RathMarys failed to score in the first half of extra-time, and indeed it was with only 5 minutes left in extra time that we got our first score an inspirational one from the industrious Adam Craven. We had to commit to attack at this stage, may as well lose by 6 points as by 2. This left us exposed at the back however the peerless Ciaran O Hare did what Ciaran does was first to the ball, when he wasn’t he dispossessed his opponent, moved forward effortlessly and always found a RathMary’s man. There was now 2 points left with 3 to play, the pressure paid off and Andrew scored 2 pressure frees to level the sides. We were now in injury time in extra time, players were falling to the ground with cramp all over the field however RathMarys mustered the strength for one more turnover, the ball found its way into the right corner and as if they had ice in their veins we carefully kept possession until the ball found its way to Camin Hughes who pointed excellently under severe press from 30 yards to send the RathMarys supporters into rapture. David Gough blew full time on the resultant kickout. 

Great scenes followed a mixture of joy and relief for the supporters and coaches and disbelief and exhaustion from the players. Understandably the Summerhill lads were devastated to leave with nothing having contributed so much to this enthralling encounter.

Rathkenny/St. Marys celebrate at Dunganny

Huge credit for this Championship victory must go to the coaching team whose togetherness filtered down to the players who took each other as their own, players weren’t either Rathkenny or Mary’s players they were RathMary’s players, working hard, struggling, losing, and winning together was simply all that mattered.

Rathkenny/St Marys: Sean Gillespie, Cal Kealy, Ruairi Condra, Tadhg Mc Loughlin (0-1), Fionn Brereton (1-0), Ciaran O Hare, AJ Bradshaw, Joey Curtis (0-1), Adam Craven (0-1), Patrick Owens, Eoin Jackson (0-1), Finn Moore (1-03), Camin Hughes (0-1), Andrew Brien (0-10), Aaron Keogh.

Subs; Ronan Everard, Finn Kealy, James Galligan, Cathal Mc Keever, Michael Mc Kinnion, TJ Farrelly, Callum Reilly,

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