Moore and Delaney lead Rath to victory over Kinnitty

Rath NS 1-7 Kinnitty NS 1-2

This Boys group G final proved to be another classic encounter when two great schools of Cumann na mBunscol, Rath and Kinnitty met in this lively local derby.

Played in the impressive Kinnitty GAA grounds, massive credit and thanks are due to the Kinnitty GAA committee for hosting this final at short notice, and they had the pitch and facilities in top class condition for this pulsating game.

The first half was an even affair with the slippery conditions making scores hard to come by. The midfield battle was intense with Kinnitty’s Mark Dennehy and Rath’s Cathal Moore contesting every ball. Eventually, the opening score came when Kinnitty midfielder Mark Dennehy kicked a lovely point, after a nice pass from his midfield partner Michael John Mortimer.

Rath then got their opening score when Oisin Mannion kicked over a beautiful point after some good link up play with his teammate Cathal Moore. Rath began to get a foothold in the game but could not convert their chances, mainly due to the good work of the Kinnitty defenders Michaela Blake, Cian O'Donnell, Cian Molloy, Andrew Delaney, Aoibheann Dooley and Sean Boland. Kinnitty goalkeeper Jamie Cannon also performed well when called upon, producing two top class saves to deny Rath’s Oisin Mannion two certain goals.

On the stroke of half-time, Kinnitty took the lead when Sean Boland scored a fantastic goal after a long clearance from Kinnitty’s Aoibheann Dooley to leave the half-time score Rath 0-2 , Kinnitty 1-1.

The second half was much like the first with the game being very even and scores being hard to come by. However, Rath’s Cathal Moore and Cian Delaney continued to strike up a good partnership and their clever play would eventually prove tp be Kinnitty’s undoing.

Aided by the breeze, work from Rath’s midfielders Niall Lyons and Alan Dwojak began to yield dividends when, after some good play, their teammates Oisin Coughlan and Micheal Stephens kicked over two lovely points.

Kinnitty fought back however, with Liam Collins, Lochainn Fay and Emma Robinson continuing to pose a dangerous threat when going forward.

However, Rath’s defence remained unwavering with sterling performances from Noah Moran, Walter Bracken and Alex Molloy keeping the Kinnitty attack at bay. Rath goalkeeper Ryan Fernades also played his part, producing four top class saves to deny Kinnitty four certain goals.

The game was still in the melting pot right up until the dying minutes, until Cian Delaney sealed the win for Rath with a well taken goal to leave the full-time score Rath 1-7 Kinnitty 1-2.

Kinnitty NS: Jamie Cannon, Michaela Blake, Cian O'Donnell, Cian Molloy, Andrew Delaney, Aoibheann Dooley, Sean Boland, Mark Dennedy, Michael John Mortimer, Liam Collins, Lochainn Fay, Emma Robinson, James Lowry, David Evans, Conor Brophy, Emily Corboy, Emma Bannon, Aine Moyles, Zara Young, Darragh Kelly, Sean Cahalan, Calum Evans, Myles Byrnes, Daniel McRedmond, Nathan Jennings, Eoin Kenny, Colm Flanagan.

Rath NS: Ryan Fernandes, Walter Bracken, Oisín Coughlan, Alex Molloy, Michael Stephens, Noah Moran, Cathal Moore, Niall Lyons, Alan Dwojak, Cian Delaney, Oisín Mannion, Cillian Connolly, TJ Guinan (captain), Luke Brophy, Timmy Nugent, Páidí Ryan, MJ Carroll, James Gallagher, Noah Mangan, James McConville, Darragh Brummell, Mark Kennedy.