Rathvilly sent out a signal of intent with this one.
2024 Michael Lyng Motors SFC Quarter final
Rathvilly 4-22, Bagenalstown Gaels 1-6
By Stephen Bambrick
Joint favourites at the outset of the 2024 Carlow SFC; Rathvilly left Netwatch Cullen Park looking more like giant favourites as they put Bagenalstown Gaels to the sword.
A devastating 2-8 in the remainder of the first half in reply to Jamie Clarke’s 14th minute equalising goal (0-5 to 1-2) put the game out of reach, Kevin Murphy’s cooly taken major direct from the kick out meaning their opponents got no bounce from their goal.
Padhraig Bolgers goal arrived in the 18th minute with the flying Liam Gavin notching a pair from both play and placed balls at this time too. Rathvilly were ravenous with many of their scores coming from turnovers and blistering counter attacks and quality ball in to Gavin and Kevin Murphy likewise having the same outcome.
Dara Curran had Rathvilly in the lead in the first minute with the lively Jamie Clarke levelling, Kevin Murphy had a pair of frees converted either side of Adam Burgess’s first, Jamie Clarke with his right boot and Brendan Murphy swapping scores also before the aforementioned scores.
2-9 to 0-2 on 22 mins soon became 2-11 courtesy of the Murphy’s Kevin and Brendan, 2-13 to 1-4 at the interval with Brendan along with Brandon Kelly scoring either side of points from Shane Clarke and Paddy McDonnell (free).
Any idea that there would be a let up after the break by Rathvilly was quashed with a score a minute their ratio for the first 5 minutes. The half time sub Darragh Murphy pointed along with Gavin and a further 3 frees by Kevin Murphy with Molloy’s runs from deep causing consternation in the Gaels defence.
A tough day for the Town was not getting any better with Gavin and Molloy making it 2-21 before Paddy McDonnell got the Gaels first of the half on 44 mins, the resultant kickout finding Molloy who bounced clear to net and their next score also a major as goal number 4 arrived through Darragh Murphy in the 53rd minute.
The final minutes played out seeing Jack McCullagh’s fine effort from distance matched by the impressive Burgess notching his 3rd point of the day, 4-22 to 1-6 the final score, Old Leighlin await Rathvilly in next Sunday’s 2nd semi final.
Rathvilly – Robbie Molloy, Colin Byrne, Eric Molloy (1-1), Paraic Deering, Padhraig Bolger ( 1-0), Josh Moore, Dara Curran (0-1), Brendan Murphy (0-3), Adam Burgess (0-3), Brandon Kelly (0-1), Liam Gavin (0-6, 0-2f), Jake Elliott, Kevin Murphy (1-6, 0-5f), Ed Finnegan, Conor Doyle.
Subs – Darragh Murphy (1-1)for Brendan Murphy (half time) , Robbie Ryan and Barry John Molloy for Padhraig Bolger and Colin Byrne (39 mins ) , Conor O’ Neill and Ryan Sibbald for Brandon Kelly and Conor Doyle ( 48 mins )
Bagenalstown Gaels – Ciaran Cunningham, Sean Wall, Alan Corcoran, Andrew Casey , Darren Crooks, Darragh Nolan, Liam McDonnell, Jack McCullagh (0-1), Jamie Clarke (1-2), Jason Wall, Cian Doyle, Oisin Dillon, Shane Clarke ( 0-1)Paddy McDonnell ( 0-2f), James Farrell.
Subs – Thomas McDonnell and Thomas Maher for Andrew Casey and Darren Crooks (37 mins ), Ross O’Neill for Jason Wall ( 41 mins), Jason Wall for Alan Corcoran (49 mins ), Darren Crooks for James Farrell (52 mins )
Referee – James Foley ( Kilbride)
