Rathkenny went into this game knowing victory only would keep their qualification hopes alive and Bective were looking to build on their 3 point win against  Drumbaragh and take a step closer to qualification. When the sides last met in the league May 2019 Rathkenny recorded a narrow 2 point win after a fairly tight affair.

Rathkenny got the scoreboard moving in the fourth minute with a Keith Curtis Free followed by points from Jeaic Timmons, Caolach Halligan and another Keith Curtis Free to race into a four point lead. Bective enjoyed a short spell of possession however struggled to break Rathkenny’s rigid defence with the returning Thomas McGuinness at full-back snuffing out any glimpse of Bective attack. 

Rathkenny pushed on from there and hit a goal through Jeaic Timmons on 13mins, with a point added seconds later by Jack Gore after some great fielding by Brian Meade at Centre-field.

Will Gore raised the green flag for the Raths again just before the first water break after a mix up in the Bective defence to put 11 points between the teams. Jeaic Timmons Keith Curtis (3) and Caolach Halligan continued the rout to send the teams in at Half time 2:10 to 0:00 and leave Bective with a mountain to climb.

Bective finally got the score board moving with a point from play just after the restart to bring the arrears to 15 points, however Rathkenny replied with points from Keith Curtis 38mins and Donal Keoghan 40mins.

Both sides exchanged scores with Jack Gore 44mins and a long range effort from James Macken 48mins capping off a fine performance by the big man. 

Jeaic and Darragh Timmons added a point a piece as the game drew to a close with a final score of 2:17 – 0:07.

A fantastic team performance with Rathkenny’s central Diamond of Keoghan, Garry, Meade and Halligan dominating from start to finish and giving the forwards the platform to score with all 6 lads getting on the score board.

POTM – Brian Meade  give an exhibition at centre field  of high fielding and breaking ball successfully setting up countless attacks for Rathkenny.

Rathkenny are hoping results work in their favour over the weekend and require RTrim to slip up twice in order to advance

Rathkenny: Colin Curtis, Ross Gore, Thomas McGuinness, Cillian McKenna, Stephen Crosbie, Donal Keoghan,(1pt), Keith Timmons Brian Meade, Robbie Garry, Jack Gore (2pts) Caolach Halligan, (2pts) Jeaic Timmons (1-03), Will Gore (1-01), Keith Curtis (6pts), James Macken (1pt). Subs: Darragh Timmons (1pt) for Keith Curtis, Jamie O Hallaran for Cillian McKenna, Niall Brannigan for Jack Gore

Bective Report

Rathkenny 2 – 17, Bective 0 – 7.

Bective took a drubbing from a determined Rathkenny outfit in this second round championship match in Kilmainham on a beautiful Saturday evening.

Bective enjoyed a reasonable share of the play but early ball in was mopped up by a tight and fast Rathkenny defence. Rathkenny were far more efficient and put the Bective defence, without centre back Ciaran Reilly (pulled muscle in warm up) under pressure and recorded 3 points from free kicks and a point from play by the 10th minute. Bective’s goal mouth was already under siege and Conor Reilly made a fine save from a close in shot. However he could not keep the next attack out and Rathkenny goaled on the 12th minute. They added a point on 14 minutes and Reilly could only parry a shot which Rathkenny again finished to the net on 15 minutes. Bective worked hard to manage the ball and create openings but found their passes intercepted on a number of occasions due to the physical intensity and speed that Rathkenny brought to the game. Bective introduced Robbie Coogan and Mark Dowdall, and continued to fight to stay in the game but missed a couple of long range free kicks to get on the score board. Rathkenny, bringing their A game and experience in the senior ranks, attacked with numbers and continued to find openings to score a further 5 points before half time.  

Bective started well with a fine point from play from Marty Mulhall, and a good attack with Sean Keating been fouled but the free kick went wide on 2 minutes. Neil Dowdall and Colin O’Rourke, and later Ben Clarke, were brought on as replacements but Bective still struggled to convert limited opportunities, and corner back Jack Clarke fired a good point. Cathal Mc Connell, ever lively, burst through but his shot was deflected wide, and Mulhall pointed on 12 minutes. Bective could not be faulted for not trying and all carried their share of defensive and attacking play with Donagh Garvey, in particular, willing to surge forward at every opportunity. Midfielder Ciaran Mc Connell worked hard through-out, and especially tracking back to close down attacks, surged forward but was grounded heavily and Mulhall pointed the resulting free kick. Rathkenny kept their high energy game up and added a further 7 points in the second half and were guilty of missing a few more. Two more points from Mulhall and a fine long range point from Midfielder Paul Lyness completed the Bective scoring on 35 minutes and concluded a hard day at the office. Although Bective were no match for this strong Rathkenny team they showed their spirit and all stood together in their efforts and gained a huge experience of fast, strong, efficient football that no amount of training could instil and each can honestly measure what he has to do to be more productive at this level.

Next up is a clash with Trim in the final round game in two weeks time.

Bective: Conor Reilly, Jack Clarke, Gary Brennan, Diarmuid Rogers, Paul Mc Cabe, Kevin Brennan, Donagh Garvey, Ciaran Mc Connell, Paul Lyness, Cathal, Mc Connell, Sean Keating, Colm Barry, Marty Mulhall, Mark O’Brien, Brian Cantwell.  

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