Late Kane free sees Gaels hold the Champions to a draw

Senior Football Championship semi-final

Rathvilly 0-14 

Bagenalstown Gaels 1-11

Two pointers were in high supply in this senior football championship semi-final at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday. Bagenalstown Gaels stunned the reigning champions with a Jack McCullagh goal against the wind in the 6th minute. With the aid of the elements, Rathvilly had the guile and experience with Padhraig Bolger, Brian Smith, Conor Doyle and Brandon Kelly all registering two-pointers. The challengers hung in there and only trailed 0-9 to 1-2 at the interval.

Rathvilly started the second half well with points from Bolger and Kevin Murphy. Darragh Nolan’s two-pointer for the Gaels injected confidence into those around them. They had the edge for the final twenty minutes as Darragh Nolan, Jamie Clarke and Cian Doyle raised orange flags put their side ahead by a point.

Liam Gavin’s two point free saw Rathvilly go back ahead but Robbie Kane’s late free ensured both sides live to fight another day.

Scorers 

Rathvilly: P Bolger (1-2p), B Kelly (1-2p) 0-3 each, B Smith (1-2p), C Doyle (1-2p), L Gavin (2pf) 0-2 each, P Burgess, K Murphy 0-1 each.

Bagenalstown Gaels: J McCullagh 1-1, D Nolan (1-2p), J Clarke 0-3 (1-2p) each, R Kane (1f), C Doyle (2p) 0-2 each.

RATHVILLY: Harry Clarke; Dara Curran, Colin Byrne, Paraic Deering; Padhraig Bolger, Josh Moore, Brian Smith; Conor Doyle, Darragh Murphy; Peter Burgess, Brandon Kelly, Brendan Murphy; Liam Gavin, Diarmuid Gavin, Kevin Murphy.

Subs: E Finnegan for D Murphy (24), Robbie Ryan for Byrne (27), Jake Elliott for B Murphy (52).

BAGENALSTOWN GAELS: Ciaran Cunningham; Thomas McDonnell, Jason Wall, Sean Wall; Niall Bolger, Jack McCullagh, Mark McDonald; Patrick McDonnell, Shane Clarke; Danny Doyle, Jamie Clarke, Darragh Nolan; Cian Doyle, Robbie Kane, Oisin Dillon.

Subs: James Farrell for Dillon (46), Andrew Casey for McDonald (46).

Referee: James Foley (Kilbride).