RATHNEW HAVE BAGGED title number 32 and their second in as many years after a four point victory over St Patrick’s this afternoon.
Having won three of the previous five titles, Leighton Glynn’s team came into today’s final as favourites, although they didn’t have it all there own way against a spirited opposition.
Despite hitting the cross bar in their first attack, and taking an early point lead, it was St Patrick’s who were marginally on top and only for some missed opportunities by attacker Paul Earls they could have lead at the interval.
Instead they trailed by three with the wind at their back for the second half.
In a second half where scores were hard to come by St Patrick’s trailed by 0-7 to 0-5 within the final ten minutes, and despite reducing the margin to a single point within the six minutes of additional time it was a Rathnew man who would prove the hero.
A Mark Doyle goal was followed by a point-a-piece in the final exchanges and so Rathnew continue their reign.
Elsewhere in Carlow Rathvilly overcame Old Leighlin in today’s county SFC final, preventing another two in a row.
Old Leighlin had five Carlow starters in this year’s Leinster SFC championship loss to Meath back in June, in comparison to Rathvilly whose sole starter that day was Barry John Molloy. Nonetheless two first half goals within a minute put the teams in level at the break; 1-6 to 2-3.
Rathvilly continued to grow in confidence, and in a low scoring second half they outscored the reigning champions 0-6 to 0-4 and so won their eight title – a first in five years.
Wicklow SFC final
Rathnew 1-8 St Patricks 0-7
Carlow SFC final
Old Leighlin 1-10 Rathvilly 2-9
