Spa 1-13 Rathmore 0-20
Spa travelled to a sunny Rathbeg on Saturday night and, despite some great defensive work from Spa, Rathmore finished well to take the two Co. League points.
Spa had a good start and quickly had four points on the board from David Spillane (2), Ryan O'Carroll and Mike O'Donoghue. Mark Reen opened the scoring for Rathmore and they almost rattled the net early on but James Devane got a great touch and knocked the ball out for a '45. John Moynihan added another for the home side before Mike O'Donoghue netted a brilliant goal for Spa in the 15th minute to make it 1-4 to 0-2.
Mark Reen (2) exchanged points with Ryan O'Carroll and Mike Foley before Rathmore closed in on goal again, this time Anthony Darmody getting a touch and tipping the ball over the crossbar. Mike O'Donoghue added another for Spa before points from Dean Fitzgerald and Mark Reen (2) made it 1-7 to 0-8. Ryan O'Carroll and David Spillane extended the Spa advantage and a final point from George O'Keeffe made it 1-9 to 0-9 at the break, the Spa defence doing excellent work in the opening half.
The second half introduction of Chrissy Spiers and Brian Friel had a big impact on Rathmore's performance. Dan O'Donoghue punched the ball over the bar to increase the Spa lead to four, but Rathmore were level within minutes with Darragh Rahilly (2), Dean Fitzgerald and Brian Friel all on target. Spa did have a shot on goal but Mike O'Donoghue's effort went just inches wide before Darragh Rahilly's goal shot at the other end just moments later also went just wide of the post.
Cormac Cronin edged Spa in front briefly but Dean Fitzgerald quickly replied for Rathmore, and from there Rathmore kicked on, with three points in succession taking the lead for the first time, Chrissy Spiers (2) and Dean Fitzgerald the scorers. Mike Foley brought it back to a two-point game at 1-12 to 0-17 with time almost up but Rathmore finished well, Chrissy Spiers (2) and Mark Reen kicking the final scores of the day and Mike O'Donoghue kicking a final point for Spa. The game finished Spa 1-13 Rathmore 0-20.
Spa now have 10 points and with our Division 1 status secure for 2020, our remaining Co. League games are as follows: Spa v Kerins O'Rahillys (in Spa next Saturday July 20th at 7.30pm); Spa v Austin Stacks (in Connolly Park on July 28th); Spa v Templenoe (in Spa on August 18th)
Spa: James Devane, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Bryan Russell, Ciaran Spillane, Dan O'Donoghue (0-1), Gary Vaughan, Liam Kearney, Michael McCarthy, Ryan O'Carroll (0-3), Niall O'Mahony, Niall McCarthy, Michael Foley (0-2), Michael O'Donoghue (1-3), David Spillane (0-3). Subs: Cormac Cronin (0-1), Eoghan Cronin, Shane Lynch, Cian Tobin
Rathmore: Kenneth O'Keeffe, Cillian O'Connor, Mike Joe Kelliher, TJ Friel, Aidan O'Mahony, Brian O'Leary, Brendan O'Keeffe, Daniel O'Sullivan, Brian Moynihan, Anthony Darmody (0-1), George O'Keeffe (0-1), Darragh Rahilly (0-2), Dean Fitzgerald (0-4), Mark Reen (0-6), John Moynihan(0-1). Subs: Tadhg Moynihan, Mark Ryan, Brian Friel (0-1), Chrissy Spiers (0-4), Dan Murphy
Referee: Padraig O'Sullivan (Firies)
Photos: Anne Holland
