Rathkenny scored a late second half goal to bring this Minor Division 4 Final final against Ballinabrackey to extra time and added three goals in that period to earn victory. Rathkenny 5-07 Ballinabrackey 2-10 Rathkenny started the brighter with points from Cathal McCabe and a brace from Colm Gore to lead by three after nine minutes. Ballinbrackey replied with a Damien Carroll free on fourteen minutes. After Colm Gore kicked over Rathkenny's fourth point on seventeen minutes he was unfortunate to see a goal effort shave the post two minutes later. Ballinbrackey went in front when they scored 1-02 in the space of three minutes; two Carroll frees either side of a twenty-second minute goal. Rathkenny's midfielder Jonathan Fox replied with a twenty-fifth minute goal when he half volleyed to the net after the Ballinbrackey net minder spilled a high ball. The men from the Offaly border got the final two points of the half through a converted Carroll free and a Vinny Connolly point to leave it 1-05 to 1-04 at the break. Stephen McCabe popped over a free three minutes after the break to level matters, however this spurned Ballinbrackey into action and they added three further unanswered scores, two Carroll frees and a Danny Quinn point. Things turned Rathkenny's way when the referee sent off a Ballinbrackey player on forty three minutes. Ballinbrackey's Damien Carroll added a forty-ninth minute free to leave his side three in front with eleven minutes remaining. However it was to prove to be their final score in normal time. Rathkenny played the extra man well and following a Brian Lenehen converted free it was left to Stephen McCabe to net the equalising score. He went on a mazy solo run and hit in a high centre towards the square. The ball somehow went over a mass of outstretched hands and ended in the back of the net. The umpire raised the green flag after a lengthy discussion with the referee to leave it 2-6 to 1-9. Rathkenny had one further chance which went narrowly wide. Brian Lenehen shone in first half extra time when scoring 1-01 to give Rathkenny a four point extra time lead. Rathkenny had one hand on the cup when four minutes into the second half of extra time when Patrick McGuirke netted home following a great passing move from one end of the pitch to the other. Ballinbrackey to their credit replied with 1-01 inside two minutes to trail by three points, however Rathkenny sealed victory with a well taken Cathal McCabe goal a minute before the full time whistle. Rathkenny had solid displays all over the pitch, with Donal Keogan putting in a fantastic display at Centre Back. Stephen McCabe won great ball in midfield and the Rathkenny forward line were willing runners all night. Rathkenny were extremely fit and punished Ballinabrackey with two killer goals in the final period of extra-time when Ballinabrackey had to chase the game. Their tally of 18 wides did not prove decisive in the end of a game where both teams should be given great credit for giving their all in such harsh playing conditions. Proud Captain Colm Gore gratefully received the Aura Leisure Link Division 4 League trophy. In his victory speech he thanked hard working selectors Vincent Lenehan and Johnny Gore and the great panel of players in the club. Rathkenny have now won their first piece of silverware in this new era, having previously played as Parnells with neighbours Castletown. Rathkenny - Declan Crosbie; Richard Lynn, Steven Lynn; Seamus Crosbie, Donal Keogan, Jason Gore; Jonathan Fox (1-0), Stephen McCabe (1-1); Ross Gore, Colm Gore (0-3), Brian Lenehan (1-2); Cathal McCabe (1-1), Donal Drew. Subs; Patrick McGuirke (1-0) for Drew (H/T), Luke Reilly for S. Crosbie (52). Andrew Finney, Robert Price, Ian Hickey, Gearoid Crosbie, Darren Goodwin, Sean Brien, Peter Farrell. Tweet

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