SFC Group A: Late surge seals fourth 'Hill win
August 26, 2017
Summerhill's Davy Dalton
SFC Group A: Late surge seals fourth 'Hill win
Summerhill pulled clear of Rathkenny in the final quarter of this SFC fixture at Simonstown on Friday evening
Summerhill ....... 1-16
Rathkenny ........ 0-9
The outcome moves Summerhill into the knockout phase of the championship with a game to spare.
The turning point came in the 46th minute. A productive third quarter saw Rathkenny regain parity. The next score - a Sean Dalton point - didn't undermine the hopes for the team in red and black. 'What happened next did.
Brian Meade's misplaced pass was central. The Rathkenny captain collected the rebound from Davy Larkin's goal attempt before unintentionally off-loading to Davy Dalton who fired to the net from close range.
That left the board reading 1-9 to 0-8. Summerhill kicked-on to register their fourth win from as many outings in the campaign.
They outscored Rathkenny by 0-7 to 0-1 in the time remaining having failed to register for over 13 minutes from the resumption. Seven players (including sub Padraig Jennings) contributed to Summerhill's tally.
One blemish on the Summerhill performance was their tally of 12 wides, including eight in the second-half. In contrast, Rathkenny had three.
When sub Caolach Halligan (free) posted Rathkenny's final score in the 53rd minute, just four points (1-10 to 0-9) separated the sides.
It brought only temporary respite for Rathkenny as Summerhill added six unanswered points with Liam Shaw and Barry Dardis posting two each.
A heavy shower before the off was a prelude to a magnificent rainbow that arced over the ground. With just over 16 seconds gone, Donal Keogan pointed Rathkenny in front.
The team in red and black moved 0-4 to 0-1 clear by the 12th minute when Robbie Garry pointed. The pendulum swung Summerhill's way and the scores were tied for the first time when David Larkin sent over 15 minutes in.
Summerhill maintained momemtum. Having registered three points on the spin, they outscored Rathkenny by 0-4 to 0-1 in the second quarter.
James Macken sent over Rathkenny's sole score in this phase at the end of patient build-up in the 30th minute. Summerhill outdid that with Willie Ryan and Liam Shaw combining to place Davy Larkin for the final score of the half.
That left the board reading 0-8 to 0-5 at the break. Rathkenny weren't quite as quick off the mark from the resumption. Barry Lenehan's 32nd minute pointed free got them going.
The Rathkenny number 13 added two more (one 45, one free) to level matters, 0-8-all, in the 44th minute. The latter score was enthusiastically greeted by supporters who sensed the hint of a shock result. What happened next - 1-2 in a four-minute spell - settled matters.
Next up for Summerhill is tilt at Wolfe Tones while Rathkenny have to lift themselves to face Gaeil Colmcille.
Summerhill - Tony McDonnell; Iarla Hughes, Willie Ryan, Ronan Ryan; Padraig Geraghty, Richie Hatton, Ross Ryan; Michael Byrne, Brian Ennis (0-3 fs); David Larkin (0-3), Barry Dardis (0-3 1f), Kevin Lyons; Sean Dalton (0-3), Liam Shaw (0-2, David Dalton (1-1). Subs - Padraig Jennings (0-1) for Lyons (57)
Rathkenny - Rathkenny - Richie Timmons; Niall Brannigan, Ross Gore, Joe Gore; Stephen Crosby, Donal Keogan (0-1), Tomas McGuinness; Donal Keogan, Brian Meade (C) (0-1), James Macken (0-1); Jack Thompson, Christy Meade, Robbie Garry (0-1); Barney Lenehan (0-4fs); Owen Elliott, Keith Timmons. Subs - Caolach Halligan (0-1f) for Thompson (34), Donal Curtis for Elliott (42), Sean Mongey for Garry (51).
Referee - Jack Gordon (Walterstown)
