Loughcrew Gaels/Gaeil Colmcille v Rathmolyon Under 21 A H.C. Sunday 20.11.22 at Grangegodden
Final Score: Loughcrew Gaels/Gaeil Colmcille 3.5 Rathmolyon 2.16
A more skilful Rathmolyon team ensured their place in the final of the competition with an 8-point victory over a gallant and hardworking Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille outfit in this Round 5 Under 21 A match played on Sunday morning in Grangegodden. It was the visitors who made the better start and led by 0.3 to 0.0 after 5 minutes. Jamie Casserly with a well taken point opened the hosts account in the 8th minute but Rathmolyon’s response was 2 points – one from a free in the 9th and 10th minutes. Daire Shine pointed a free in the 15th minute to leave the hosts 0.2 to 0.5 in arrears. However, Rathmolyon went on to post 6 points between the 16th and 27th minutes before a Shine point from a free left the hosts trailing 0.3 to 0.11 at the half time break.
Rathmolyon started the second half with a goal in the 4th minute but almost immediately Oisin McDermott goaled for the hosts when he capitalised on a breaking ball after a Shine free fell short. Rathmolyon pointed in the 8th minute but Daire Shine from a free replied in the 11th minute for the hosts. Following good defensive work and a surging Eoin Briody run and pass, Kit og Lynch goaled in the 13th minute to reduce the deficit to 5 points and we wondered was a revival on the cards. Rathmolyon however hit back with 2 points before another Shine free in the 16th minute left the gap at 6 points. A 10-minute scoreless spell followed with end-to-end hurling featuring some excellent defensive work and wasteful attacking from both sides. Rathmolyon however again found their range in the 26th minute with a goal that was quickly followed by a point to make their place in the final secure. The hosts never gave up and McDermott notched his 2nd goal of the day in the 28th minute when he took advantage of a defensive error. Rathmolyon closed the scoring with a point in the final minute before Gus Martyn blew the final whistle and brought an end to an enjoyable contest.
This was another brave team performance by the young Gaels side and full of hard work and determination. Everyone tried their best and gave their all but they had to give way to a better side on the day. With the postponed match against Kiltale unlikely now to be refixed players can hopefully get some rest and allow injuries to clear up and we will all look forward to next year and going again.
Loughcrew Gaels/Gaeil Colmcille: T McKeon, H Corcoran, J Connell, T Dardis, C Rennicks, D Shine (0.4), L Finnegan, C O’Reilly, S. Tunney, K Og Lynch (1.0), O McDermott (2.0), C Murphy, C McGovern, J Casserly (0.1) E Briody.
Subs: H Briody for Murphy, O O’Reilly for Corcoran.
Referee: Gus Martyn (Dunderry)
