Final Score: Kerins O'Rahillys 2-9 (15) | Gneeveguilla 1-13 (16)

Kerins O’Rahillys suffered a gruelling one-point defeat to Gneeveguilla in Round 9 of the County League on Saturday evening. In a game full of momentum swings, a late free allowed the visitors to snatch the victory after the Strand Road men had seemingly taken control of the tie early in the second half.
 
First Half
The Blues started with intent. After winning the opening throw-in, the home side patiently retained possession and worked the ball to Conor O'Sullivan, who fisted over the bar for the opening score in the second minute.

The Narries were flying by the 7th minute. A great ball in from Tom Hoare found Nick Lacey, who executed a gorgeous pick-up before being dragged down for a penalty. Conor O'Sullivan stepped up and buried the spot-kick to give the Strand Road men an early cushion.

The game descended into a scrappy period filled with turnovers, though the Strand Road backs held firm defensively, with great turnovers from the likes of Brayden Pierce, Seamus Cahill & Ben O’Brien. Gneeveguilla eventually got on the board in the 19th minute through a Paul O'Leary free. Wing-back Padraig O'Connor hit a 2-pointer from play for the visitors to narrow the gap, but Kerins O'Rahillys responded well. 

A surging run from Shane McElligott, supported bravely by Conor O'Sullivan, won a free that Nick Lacey nailed. Despite losing Barry John Keane to injury shortly after, the Blues finished the half strongly. 

Good work from Gearoid Savage set up Lacey for another point, and Tom Hoare confidently dispatched a long-range 2-point free. A late 2-point free from Gneeveguilla’s Paul O'Leary left the half-time score poised at 1-5 to 0-6 in favour of Kerins O'Rahillys.
 
Second Half

Kerins O'Rahillys came out firing. Four minutes in, Tom Hoare won a massive kick-out. Nick Lacey hit the crossbar with a 2-point effort from distance, but play was called back for a previous infringement, and Lacey expertly drove the resulting 2-point free over the bar.

Gneeveguilla responded when a back-door cut let Oisin O'Leary in for a point, followed by a cheap free that allowed them to get within one.

The game exploded into life around the 41st minute. Following a mighty catch by Tom Hoare from Robert O'Connor's kick-out, Hoare struck a massive 2-pointer from play. 

Seconds later, directly from the ensuing kick-out, Nick Lacey pounced to raise a second green flag for the Narries, putting serious daylight between the teams and pushing their tally to 15.

While it looked like Strand Road had struck for home, unfortunately we would not score again for the duration.

Gneeveguilla issued an immediate reply, with Oisin O'Leary goaling just a minute after Nick to shift the momentum back towards the visitors. We became a little ragged at the back in this period, Gneeveguilla capitalized, reeling off points from Oisin O'Leary, Eoin Rahilly, and Pa Brosnan to tie the game.

The defining moment arrived in the 56th minute. A free was awarded against the home team and Gneeveguilla substitute James Doyle stepped up to convert it, giving his side the lead. Strand Road pushed desperately for an equalizer, and a great late run by Jake Hoare almost provided it, but the ball was agonizingly pinched just as he was about to pull the trigger. Gneeveguilla held on for a narrow 1-13 to 2-9 win.
 
Teams & Scorers
Kerins O'Rahillys Scorers: Nick Lacey 1-4 (1f, 1tpf), Conor O'Sullivan 1-1 (pen), Tom Hoare 0-4 (tpf, tp).

Kerins O'Rahillys: Robert O'Connor, Seamus Cahill, TJ Heaphy, Jake Foley, Conor O'Sullivan, Brayden Pierce, Daniel Bowler, Tom Hoare, Ben O'Brien, Ben Hanafin, Barry John Keane, Shane McElligott, Jake Hoare, Nick Lacey, Gearoid Savage.
Subs Used: Odhran Kerins, Con Barrett, Stephen Nix

Club History Book 
Don't forget, the definitive history of Kerins O'Rahillys officially launches on June 26th! Secure your copy today by pre-ordering here: 

https://kerinsorahillys.clubforce.com/products/shop/event_ticket/club-history-book