Rathvilly back on top of the pile in Carlow after gaining revenge on Old Leighlin
Joyous Rathvilly captain Colin Byrne lifts The Nationalist Cup surrounded by young supporters. Photo: Pat Ahern
Rathvilly won an 11th Carlow Senior Football Championship title when they edged out the holders at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.
It was a disappointing final with a sensational start when Rathvilly delivered long from the throw-in into the big square. Old Leighlin won possession but referee, James Foley, awarded a penalty.
Conor Doyle blazed the ball over the bar but made amends when adding a point to give Rathvilly a two-point cushion. Old Leighlin hit back with a three-pointer when Mikey Bambrick had a shot blocked but when the ball ran loose, Cathal Coughlan found the net on nine minutes.
In that first half, Rathvilly’s Liam Gavin scored three points with Brendan Murphy, Kevin Murphy and Darragh Murphy also raising white flags.
Old Leighlin struggled to keep pace with their opponents. Seamus Kinsella (two frees) and James Dowling were their scorers as Rathvilly led 0-8 to 1-3 at the break.
The second half was disappointing. The rate of scoring was slow. Brandon Kelly and Doyle pushed the eventual winners two clear going into the final quarter and Old Leighlin replied with a Kinsella free. Substitutes, Brynn Nolan and Eric Molloy landed vital points for Rathvilly.
The reigning champions hit back with Dowling and Kinsella points leaving two between them with a minute to go. Aaron Amond had a chance of an equaliser from a long range two-point free but failed to find the posts.
Instead, Rathvilly responded and Doyle put his side three in front as they controlled the game in the remaining three minutes to emerge deserving winners.
Conor Doyle 0-4 (0-1 pen), Liam Gavin 0-3 (2fs), Brandon Kelly 0-2, Eric Molloy, Darragh Murphy, Brendan Murphy, Brynn Nolan, Kevin Murphy 0-1 each.
Seamus Kinsella 0-5 (fs), James Dowling 0-3, Cathal Coughlan 1-0.
Regan Murphy; Paraic Deering, Josh Moore, Robbie Ryan; Colin Byrne, Dara Curran, Padhraig Bolger; Brendan Murphy, Conor Doyle; Adam Burgess, Brandon Kelly, Peter Burgess; Kevin Murphy, Darragh Murphy, Liam Gavin.
Subs: Ed Finnegan for A Burgess (42), Eric Molloy for P Burgess (42), Brian Smith for D Murphy (49), Brynn Nolan for Byrne (53), Kenneth Bello for Bolger (59).
Steve Scallan; Jordan Kelly, Tadhg O’Neill, Daniel Brennan; Tadhg Roche, Sean Bambrick, Jamie Doyle; Ian Atkinson, David Bambrick; James Dowling, Mikey Bambrick, Aaron Amond; Cathal Coughlan, Seamus Kinsella, Darragh Fitzgerald.
Subs: Niall Roche for Brennan (38), Ruarc O’Neill for Doyle (51), Alan Fitzgerald for Coughlan (58).
James Foley (Kilbride).
