AIB All-Ireland Club IFC Semi-Final
Courtesy of GAA.ie
Rathmore 2-16
Fethard St. Mogue’s 1-10
Rathmore always looked assured and in control against St. Mogue’s of Fethard, barring a short spell before half-time.
Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan, lining out at corner-forward here, outmanoeuvred his St. Mogue’s counterpart William Doyle to force the ball over the line for an opening goal after 12 minutes, and with the breeze at their backs, they pushed up high to exert huge pressure on the Wexford men, leading to a run of 2-5 without reply.
Mark Ryan scored two points, John Moynihan added a goal after he claimed a high catch and turned down the easy point, and at 2-5 to no score in front, it looked like a stroll in the park for the Kerry side.
The weight of history was against St. Mogue’s, who were attempting to become just the fourth ever Leinster club to reach an AIB All-Ireland intermediate club final, and the first to win the coveted prize.
However they turned the tables in the ten minutes before half time, racking up 1-4 and completely changing the narrative of the game.
Richard Waters fired in a goal in between points from Mikie Dwyer and John Tubritt, but they needed to carry that momentum into the second half and instead the chance to reset was seized by Rathmore.
The Ryan brothers – Mark, Shane and Cathal – all added points, Kenneth O’Keeffe made a big save to deny St. Mogue’s a goal, and the lead was preserved and extended right up until the final whistle.
By kerrygaaeditor Sun 8th Jan
