By Ronan Fagan: Rapparees 2-18, Rathnure 1-14
A strong closing 20 minutes saw Rapparees shake-off determined Rathnure for the second year running in the quarter-finals of the Pettitt’s county senior hurling championship at Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday.
While the Rapps had brushed the black-and-amber aside by 1-25 to 2-15 at the same stage a year ago, Rathnure produced a much sterner challenge on this occasion and were firmly in the reckoning when Jack Guiney tied matters for an eighth occasion after 42 minutes (1-10 apiece). However, the Rapps excelled thereafter, with Alan Tobin netting a decisive 50th-minute goal which steered Paudge ‘Skinner’ Walsh’s men through to the semi-finals for the second year running.
It was clear from the early stages that Rathnure weren’t in any mood to concede as meekly as they had in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.
However, eight wides blighted their sterling first-half efforts before a late Shane Lawlor goal brought them level for a sixth time at the interval (1-7 each).
Rathnure’s shooting issues saw them fire five wides while the sides shared the opening six points. Rory Higgins drew first-blood after a mere twelve seconds before Jack Guiney (’65) and the inspirational Shane Lawlor also obliged, while Tomás ‘Mossy’ Mahon was the only scorer for the Rapps.
Guiney tried to goal direct from a free before Rathnure edged back in front by 0-6 to 0-5 after 25 minutes with the aid of two more majestic Shane Lawlor points and one from Guiney (free).
But Rapparees immediately seized the initiative when midfielder Leonard Connolly got on the end of a lengthy delivery to smash to the town-end net and turn the tables by 1-5 to 0-6
Yet, while the Rapps stretched ahead by 1-7 to 0-7, Rathnure rather deservedly broke level at half-time after Shane Lawlor worked through hockey-style to ping to the Clonard-end net three minutes into added-time and force parity on 1-7 apiece.
The ebb-and-flow of the contest extended into the second-half when Jack Guiney shot over twice from play to transform matters by 1-9 to 1-7 after 35 minutes, before Rapparees duly regained the initiative by 1-10 to 1-9 courtesy of Ryan Mahon, James Peare and Alan Tobin.
And after Guiney tied things for an eighth time after 42 minutes (1-10 apiece), the Rapps pulled ahead by 1-13 to 1-10 through Kevin Foley and ‘Mossy’ Mahon (2 frees).
Both sides threatened for goals before the Rapps achieved the telling breakthrough, when a swift inter-change of passes saw Kevin Foley cross for Alan Tobin to crash to the Clonard-end net for a 2-13 to 1-10 lead after 50 minutes.
Shane Lawlor went close to immediately responding with a goal at the other end.
But despite Rathnure’s tenacious efforts, the Rapps powered home after this searching test.
Rapparees – Eamonn Furlong, Ben Edwards, Liam Ryan (0-1), Dillon Redmond, Jack Kelly, Ricky Fox, James Peare (0-1), Leonard Connolly (1-0), Kevin Foley (0-1), Kevin Ryan (0-3), Ryan Mahon (0-1), Nick Doyle, Alan Tobin (1-1), Tomás Mahon (0-9, 7 frees), Darragh Pepper.
Subs: Ed Tobin (0-1) for Ryan Mahon; Aaron Ronan for Darragh Pepper; Anthony Roche for Alan Tobin.
Rathnure – Dermot Flynn (capt.), Paddy Whitley, Brian Quigley, Eoin Boggan, Podge Doyle, Cathal O’Connor (0-1 ’65), Aidan Redmond (0-1), Richie Flynn, Eoin Higgins, Shane Lawlor (1-3), Jack Guiney (0-8, 2 ’65s, 4 frees), Michael Redmond, Rory Higgins (0-1), Seánie Redmond, Ciarán O’Connor.
Subs: (temporary, Seán O’Connor for Michael Redmond); Seán O’Connor for Seánie Redmond; James Tobin for Ciarán O’Connor.
Referee – Seán Whelan (St. Martin’s).
