Disappointing result for Curraha in Dr. Townshend Park

Curraha traveled north for their meeting with Rathkenny in round 5 of the Séamus Connolly Catering A league Division 1B encounter. This fixture was originally fixed for the 12th of March but wascancelled due to the bad weather in March which left pitches unplayable for that weekend of Footballing action. Robbie Barrett got the game underway at 7:15 on a beautiful sunny Spring evening in Dr. Townshend Park Rathkenny.

Eoghan Heavey got the first score of the match after a minute of play for Rathkenny to give them an early lead. Curraha came roaring into the game with brilliant link up play ending in 2 fine points, the first from Curraha's corner forward Ronan Flynn from a free off his right foot followed quickly by a fine point by Neil Shortall off his left foot. Curraha started to take complete control with them winning all Rathkenny's kickouts which resulted in brilliant point by Andrew Coyle 11 minutes into the first half to give Curraha a 3 points to 1 lead. Curraha's dominance continued with a point from Conor Moriarty much to the delight of the travelling support. Moriarty quickly added to his tally with another point off his left foot 16 minutes in to give Curraha a 4 point lead. Rathkenny were rattled at this stage and Curraha continued to pile the pressure on the home side and only for the safe hands of the Rathkenny goalie Charlie Cullen with him making 3 massive saves to keep them in the game. Sean Ronan pointed for Curraha after a great team move. As Curraha led by 5 points, Rathkenny all of a sudden slipped in behind the Curraha defence after a quick break and Eoghan Heavey finished with a goal 23 minutes in. David Curtis then reduced the lead to a single point with a point from play. Andrew Coyle steadied the ship for Curraha with a great score to bring his personal tally to 2 points. Rathkenny hit back straight away with a free from Curtis.

Halftime score read Curraha 0.07 Rathkenny 1.03

Annoyingly halftime was the worst thing that happened to Curraha as they were well on top of Rathkenny for the vast majority of the first half.

The second half got underway and it was a cagey affair with both sides having chances to score but none were converted. There was an 8 minute stoppage 5 minutes into the second half as Rathkenny's Max McKenna was treated for a nasty collarbone injury, thankfully the Rathkenny man was able to walk off the pitch to a round of applause from both sets of supporters . The game restarted and Curraha's Seamus Hogan and Conor Moriarty both went for a ball in the mid field area and collided with each other with Moriarty coming off the worst. Moriarty had to be substituted due to the injury he picked up on his right knee and Cian Heagney came on with at least 20+ minutes to go due to stoppages for the injuries. Rathkenny got the first score of the second half with a point from danger man Curtis from a free nearly as 14 minutes were gone in the second half. Things went from bad to worse for Curraha when Neil Shortall had to be substituted due to injury he picked up, and Gavin Coyle came on to replace him, Curraha were down 2 big players now and Rathkenny took the lead for the first time since the 1st minute with a point. They then got 2 more in quick succession both from David Curtis on the stroke of 27 minutes. It was game over when Rathkenny put the game to bed with a goal from one of their substitutes and Rathkenny led 2.08 to 7 points. Rathkenny increased their lead to 8 with a point from Daniel Gavagan. Curraha were awarded a penalty late on and the Rathkenny man was shown a black card for a deliberate pull down. Ronan Flynn's shot was saved and it sugar coated that it wasn't Curraha's night in Rathkenny. Flynn did get the final score of the game with a point from a free.

Full time score read Curraha 8 points Rathkenny 2 goals and 9 points.

Back to the drawing board for Curraha with injury concerns to deal with and numbers getting tight due to 5 men from Curraha all on Meath senior footballing and hurling panels who are not allowed play. But they will have to dust themselves down as they welcome Senchalstown to Joe McDermott Park on Saturday the 6th of May at half past 6.

Curraha team

Liam Hogan, Ian Battersby, Matthew Webb, Oisín Fay, Mark Jackson, Brian Joyce, Seamus Hogan, Neil Shortall(0.01) Niall Murphy, Sean Ronan(0.01) Andrew Coyle(0.02) Conor Joyce, Ruairí O'Sullivan, Conor Moriarty(0.02) Ronan Flynn(0.02)0.02F. Subs used Cian Heagney for Conor Moriarty, Gavin Coyle for Neil Shortall

Referee: Robbie Barrett

CREDIT TO IVAN KEOGH FOR THE MATCH REPORT