IFC: St. Michaels championship season comes to a disappointing conclusion
September 13, 2021
St. Michaels Cian McFadden with Adam Byrne Rathkenny (right) during the Meath IFC 3rd round game at Nobber
St. Michaels 0-07, Rathkenny 2-15
A strong first half display gave Rathkenny a decisive edge over St. Michaels in this IFC Group E fixture in Nobber on Sunday evening last.
Both sides changed their strip to avoid a clash of colours however the Cortown second strip didn't bring any good fortune to the St. Michaels men who were also understrength on the evening.
Rathkenny started on the front and had built up a 2-7 to 0-2 advantage by the half time whistle and they added a further eight minors in the second half to win with 14 to spare.
The winners led by 1-5 to 0-1 at the first water break with the losers point when Oran Meehan converted his own free after he was dragged down as he approached the Rathkenny goals. Ciaran Lynch ended a long drought of scoring with a well struck point in the 20th minute. Rathkenny's opening goal came after only 2 minutes and their second on the stroke of half time.
Lynch converted a free following a foul on substitute Brian O'Reilly for his sides opening score of the second period on 33 minutes, Rathkenny replied immediately with two minors before another converted free for St. Michaels from Lynch.
Brian O'Reilly split the posts after some great work by Shane McDonnell before Lynch posted another fine effort, this time from play in the 40th minute.
That's as good as it got for St. Michaels as their challenge fizzled out thereafter and all that remained for them was substitute Felim O'Reilly landing a consolation score with 11 minutes remaining however Rathkenny kept the scoreboard ticking until the final whistle.
St. Michaels team and scorers: Lee Morris; Brian Reilly, Ciaran O'Reilly, Ben Reilly; Sam Briody, Matthew Halpin, Mark Stafford; J.B. O'Reilly, Cian Sheridan; Patrick Tobin, David Lynch, Shane McDonnell; Oran Meehan (0-1), Ciaran Lynch (0-4), Cian McFadden. Subs: Brian O'Reilly (0-1) for Tobin, Felim O'Reilly (0-1) for Meehan, Justin McPhillips for C. Lynch
Report and photo: Pascal Reilly PRO.
