Ráthbeg was our destination on Sunday to take on the locals in round 5 of county league division 1.
There were some changes to our starting XV when both Ben Hanafin and Jack Savage were included from the outset but this boost was somewhat mitigated by the losses of the suspended Jake Foley and the injured Shane McElligott - additionally, Con Barrett was unable to line out due to an injury sustained in training during the week.
We faced the elements in the first half and found ourselves a goal down after just 3 minutes - this was after báideoir Rob O'Connor had twice thwarted the efforts of the opposition when winning both of his one on one duels with his opponents - Rathmore quickly added a pointed free before we opened our account, when the marauding Ben Hanafin, after some good combination play, fisted over.
Rathmore were on top around the middle through the good work of their captain, Brendan O'Keeffe and he had plenty of support from his half back line of Alan Dineen, Dan Murphy and Fionn Holohan.
Our resistance came mostly from our half back line of Ben Hanafin, TJ Heaphy and Daniel Bowler - Ben attacked at every opportunity and Daniel was strong and solid on the ball.
We settled well and with Darragh O'Connor and Gearóid Savage both dangerous we had cut the deficit to 2 points by the 19th minute, 1-04 to 0-05 following some good scores from Ben, Jack and Darragh - Tom Hoare, now more prominent got in the act too kicking a super score into the breeze.
However, we had now lost Darragh McElligott to injury to be replaced by Ryan " Chucky " Carroll and shortly afterwards, Rathmore plundered a goal which they followed with 3 points to our solitary score from Gearóid Savage.
We retired to the dressing rooms at half time, 2-07 to 0-06 in arrears but with the wind and rain at our backs in the 2nd half.
On the resumption, we introduced Conor Hayes but Rathmore continued to force the issue and led by 2-10 to 0-08 after 14 mins, our scores coming from two Darragh O'Connor frees; however, we were now beginning to build momentum with Tom Hoare more prominent, Jack a constant outlet upfront and Barry John winning lots of possession - he was regularly fouled however, but despite this, he kicked two massive points from play and as the game entered its final minutes we were now just five adrift, 2-11 to 0-12 but on top in most sectors.
The 27th minute was pivotal - Jack floated a lovely ball into Darragh and though evading his marker, his low shot was foiled with the resultant " 45" sailing wide.
However, we continued to drive forward with the excellent Barry John and Daniel Bowler refusing to buckle and followed with another two points as Darragh and Jack found their range - the last word however was to be with the homesters, as a close in free, was deemed to have dissected the posts despite most spectators being of a different opinion.
Final score: Rathmore 2-12
KO'R 0-15
Round 6 will see Spa come to Strand Road on Sat night next for a 7 pm throw-in.
Team: Robert O'Connor, Darragh McElligott, Ross O'Callaghan, Stephen Nix, Ben Hanafin, TJ Heaphy, Daniel Bowler, Tom Hoare, Barry John Keane, Padraig Griffin, Jack Savage, Gearóid Dillane, Gearóid Savage, Sam McCarthy, Darragh O'Connor.
Subs: Ryan Carroll, Conor Hayes, Conor O'Sullivan.
There were some changes to our starting XV when both Ben Hanafin and Jack Savage were included from the outset but this boost was somewhat mitigated by the losses of the suspended Jake Foley and the injured Shane McElligott - additionally, Con Barrett was unable to line out due to an injury sustained in training during the week.
We faced the elements in the first half and found ourselves a goal down after just 3 minutes - this was after báideoir Rob O'Connor had twice thwarted the efforts of the opposition when winning both of his one on one duels with his opponents - Rathmore quickly added a pointed free before we opened our account, when the marauding Ben Hanafin, after some good combination play, fisted over.
Rathmore were on top around the middle through the good work of their captain, Brendan O'Keeffe and he had plenty of support from his half back line of Alan Dineen, Dan Murphy and Fionn Holohan.
Our resistance came mostly from our half back line of Ben Hanafin, TJ Heaphy and Daniel Bowler - Ben attacked at every opportunity and Daniel was strong and solid on the ball.
We settled well and with Darragh O'Connor and Gearóid Savage both dangerous we had cut the deficit to 2 points by the 19th minute, 1-04 to 0-05 following some good scores from Ben, Jack and Darragh - Tom Hoare, now more prominent got in the act too kicking a super score into the breeze.
However, we had now lost Darragh McElligott to injury to be replaced by Ryan " Chucky " Carroll and shortly afterwards, Rathmore plundered a goal which they followed with 3 points to our solitary score from Gearóid Savage.
We retired to the dressing rooms at half time, 2-07 to 0-06 in arrears but with the wind and rain at our backs in the 2nd half.
On the resumption, we introduced Conor Hayes but Rathmore continued to force the issue and led by 2-10 to 0-08 after 14 mins, our scores coming from two Darragh O'Connor frees; however, we were now beginning to build momentum with Tom Hoare more prominent, Jack a constant outlet upfront and Barry John winning lots of possession - he was regularly fouled however, but despite this, he kicked two massive points from play and as the game entered its final minutes we were now just five adrift, 2-11 to 0-12 but on top in most sectors.
The 27th minute was pivotal - Jack floated a lovely ball into Darragh and though evading his marker, his low shot was foiled with the resultant " 45" sailing wide.
However, we continued to drive forward with the excellent Barry John and Daniel Bowler refusing to buckle and followed with another two points as Darragh and Jack found their range - the last word however was to be with the homesters, as a close in free, was deemed to have dissected the posts despite most spectators being of a different opinion.
Final score: Rathmore 2-12
KO'R 0-15
Round 6 will see Spa come to Strand Road on Sat night next for a 7 pm throw-in.
Team: Robert O'Connor, Darragh McElligott, Ross O'Callaghan, Stephen Nix, Ben Hanafin, TJ Heaphy, Daniel Bowler, Tom Hoare, Barry John Keane, Padraig Griffin, Jack Savage, Gearóid Dillane, Gearóid Savage, Sam McCarthy, Darragh O'Connor.
Subs: Ryan Carroll, Conor Hayes, Conor O'Sullivan.
