Second-half scoring blitz fires Rathmore to cup glory

RATHMORE came from a goal down after 17 minutes to triumph over defending champions Kilcormac in the Denis Delaney Cup Final in Conor Davis Park in Mountmellick on Saturday evening.

While Rathmore certainly deserved their win and the silverware that goes with it, the four goal difference between the sides at the end of the game was not a true reflection of the balance of play.

Four of the goals came in the final half-hour as the pace of Rathmore finally told in the closing stages of the game. Winger Jack Cunningham tormented the Kilcormac defence throughout the game while the young striking duo of Eamon Kelly and Ronie Weston finished the game with a brace apiece.

One of the pair could have finished the game with a hat-trick and the match ball when Rathmore were awarded a penalty in injury-time but full-back Chris Floody strode forward to take the kick and he drilled it to the back of the net to round off the scoring.

Stephen Screeney had given Kilcormac the lead in the first half and his pace was a key attacking weapon in his side’s arsenal. He caused problems throughout the game but Rathmore countered by not allowing space behind their back four which limited Screeney’s attacking threat.

Neither of these Division 2 rivals took control in the opening minutes but gradually Rathmore gained the upper hand in midfield and had the majority of territory and possession but they couldn’t get a clear sight of goal thanks to some resolute defending from Kilcormac.

The first clear chance of the game fell to Kilcormac after Martin Murray won the ball in midfield and played Stephen Screeney through but Jonathan Knight in the Rathmore goal was quickly off his line and he did well to save one on one with the Kilcormac striker.

However the next time Screeney got a sight of goal after 17 minutes, he got the better of the ‘keeper to give his side the lead. A long free-kick from inside his own half from Mark Leonard cleared the bank of the defenders at the edge of the box and Screeney took full advantage touching the ball past Knight before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Rathmore continued to hold the edge in general play but they struggled to create clear cut chances thanks to solid defensive work from the Kilcormac back four.

At the other end Kilcormac’s Paul Commins had a chance after pinching the ball from Ciaran Wilmot but Knight saved again in the Rathmore goal to keep the score at 1-0.

Knight was in action again five minutes before the break when he came through the crowd to pluck a corner from the air. The ‘keeper had the presence of mind to turn defence into attack as he launched a long kick out in the direction of Eamon Kelly. Kelly outpaced the cover to latch onto the ball and he drilled an unstoppable volley past Jimmy Quinn in the Kilcormac goal to level the scores at 1-1.

Kelly should have put his side into the lead four minutes after the restart when he was put through by a great flick from Paul Commins but this time his powerfully struck volley flew over the bar.

Just on the hour mark Kelly had another guilt edged chance after being put through by a great ball from Jack Cunningham but again he shot over the bar.

It only seemed a matter of time before Rathmore would take the lead and on 62 minutes it was Kelly who found the back of the net after working the opportunity on the left side with Jack Cunningham after they won possession from a Kilcormac throw.

Nine minutes later Rathmore went 3-1 up when a dangerous ball across the box from Cliff Nolan was parried by goalkeeper Jimmy Quinn but unfortunately for the net-minder the ball fell to the feet of Paul Commins who slotted the ball to the back of the net.

After a well worked one-two with Jack Cunningham, Commins made it four for Rathmore on the 75 minute mark to put the result beyond doubt.

To their credit Kilcormac continued to battle right to the end even bringing goalkeeper Jimmy Quinn out of goals and replacing him with striker Trevor Screeney.

For all their efforts, Kilcormac only managed one clear cut chance when centre-backs Fergal Lambe and Mark Leonard combined but Leonard just couldn’t manage to steer his shot on target with an empty net in front of him.

The scoring was rounded off a minute into injury-time when Rathmore were awarded a penalty and full-back Chris Floody stepped forward to drill the ball past Trevor Screeney to round off the impressive win.

Rathmore: Jonathan Knight; Joe Dooley, Chris Floody, Ciaran Wilmot, Tim Spollen; Jack Cunningham, Paul Sheil, Cliff Nolan, John Keogh; Eamon Kelly, Ronie Weston.

Kilcormac: Jimmy Quinn; Niall Leavy, Paul Guinan, Mark Leonard, Fergal Lambe; Shane Troy, Martin Murray, Joey Lynch, Trevor Screeney; Stephen Screeney, Paul Commins. Subs: Patrick Barrett for Shane Troy (53mins),

Refere: Paul Murphy.