Spa travelled to Rathbeg on Friday evening for the penultimate round of the Co League. Despite missing a number of players, just a goal separated the sides at the final whistle in a game where things just didn't go right for us on the night. It was a slow paced opening half but definitely had plenty of action in the second half.

Cathal Ryan called a mark to hit an early point for the home side before Alan Dineen added a second for Rathmore. Cian Tobin, Conor Stack and Ciaran Spillane put Spa on the board, Rathmore replying with a Dean Fitzgerald point to make it 0-3 to 0-3.

A lovely point by Michael Kearney was soon cancelled out at the other end by Cathal Ryan before the first goal chance of the day at the start of the second quarter - Spa closing in on goal but keeper William Casey got a touch to the ball and in the scramble Rathmore managed to clear it off the line. Cathal Ryan added another for Rathmore before they were also targeting the goal, James Devane with a great save. Jimmy O'Mahony pointed to increase the Rathmore lead before John Moynihan rattled the Spa net in the 22nd minute. Two more from George O'Keeffe put Rathmore ahead by 1-8 to 0-4. Cian Tobin (2) and Evan Cronin reduced the gap but another Cathal Ryan point before the break had Spa trailing 0-7 to 1-9 at half time.

Evan Cronin kicked over the first score of the second half before Cian Tobin was brought down inside the small square in the 38th minute, the penalty shot bouncing back off the post and collected by Rathmore. The home side carried the ball back up to the other end and kicking over three quick points Alan Dineen, Sean Riordan and Cathal Ryan the scorers.

In the 50th minute a black card had Spa reduced to 14 for the next ten minutes but we responded well, Evan Cronin adding a point before collecting a loose ball in the 54th minute and slotting brilliantly past the keeper and two defenders. This would be the last score of the day and try as they might, Spa struggled to break through the Rathmore defence. Spa were down another player in the final minutes after two yellows were handed out, and the game finished Spa 1-9 Rathmore 1-12.

Spa are home to Austin Stacks next Saturday July 9th at 7.30pm in the final round.

Spa Team: James Devane, Eric O'Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Liam Spillane, Eoin Cronin, Gary Vaughan, Ryan O'Carroll, Ciaran Spillane (0-1), Conor Stack (0-1), Michael Kearney (0-1), Evan Cronin (1-2), Michael Foley, Donagh Fahy, Cian Murphy, Cian Tobin (0-4). Subs: Eoin O'Riordan, Eoghan Cronin

Rathmore Team: William Casey, Ben O'Connor, Andrew Moynihan, Mike Joe Kelliher, James O'Sullivan, Cillian O'Connor, Cian Dineen, Jimmy O'Mahony (0-1), Alan Dineen (0-2), Brian Moynihan, Tadhg Mahony, George O'Keeffe (0-2), Dean Fitzgerald (0-1), Cathal Ryan (0-5), John Moynihan (1-0). Sub: Sean Riordan (0-1)

Referee: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)

Photos: Anne Holland