Leigh and McEvoy strike early and decisively for Rheban
Rheban's Adam Stynes takes on Ardclough's Diarmuid Carr
RHEBAN got their Tom Cross Junior Football Championship campaign up and running with a three point win over a luckless Ardclough on Friday evening in Manguard Park. This Group B encounter was in the balance right up to the final whistle but the two Rheban goals inside the opening six minutes from Daniel Leigh and Denis McEvoy meant Ardclough were always chasing the game.
Rather surprisingly, and with rain all around us, the game started and finished in perfect conditions. Ardclough were quickest out of the blocks and a lovely curling effort from Mark Sheehan had them in front after 90 seconds. They quickly added two wides before the excellent Fionn Carr squandered a glorious goal opportunity, the flying just outside the post.
Rheban had been slow to settle in those early minutes but their first serious attack resulted in the game’s opening goal. A quick transfer of the ball between Oisin Browne and Denis McEvoy saw the latter shoot past Joe Ahern.
It was a blow to Ardclough such was their early possession count. A missed Ardclough free quickly resulted in another Rheban goal. A long Craig McDermott kickout to restart the game was gathered by Culann Carbery and when he found Daniel Leigh all alone he converted the simple goal opportunity. Dean Carthy quickly added a point and as we passed the end of the opening quarter Rheban had moved six ahead.
We saw a more determined Ardclough over the following 15 minutes as they proved they weren't going to settle for another soft defeat. Fionn Carr pointed two frees either side of a 30 metre effort from Patrick O’Malley. Oisin Browne got a much needed Rheban point on 23 to restore the four point buffer but Ardclough finished the half the stronger.
Driven on by Sean Buggy and the Carr brothers, Fionn and Diarmuid, Ardclough had reduced the gap to the minimum at the break. Sheehan, with his second, a curled effort off the ground by Gary Delahunt and a third Fionn Carr free left in 2-2 to 0-7 after 30 minutes.
The half time break gave Rheban a chance to reset and stop the Ardclough onslaught. Alan Kelly and Oisin Browne opened a three point gap inside two minutes of the restart but Fionn Carr quickly added a fourth free.
A four point burst from Rheban between the 35th and 40th minutes would ultimately prove to be a winning move. Dean Carthy, Oisin Browne, Alan Kelly and a Denis McEvoy free quickly opened a six point lead. Former rugby star Fionn Carr was everywhere for Ardclough and he quickly added points six and seven to leave four between the sides as we entered the closing 12 minutes.
Nathan Owens got his name on the score sheet for the first time but Ardclough were given a lifeline with six minutes remaining. A short kickout from Craig McDermott was intercepted by Gary Delahunt and from all of 30 metres he shot into an empty net. Two down, Ardclough sensed a victory. Fionn Carr was inches wide with a goal bound effort before Oisin Browne settled Rheban with two brilliant points. Carr added a seventh free and as injury time approached the gap was only three.
There was time for one last Ardclough chance but Sheehan's effort was turned away by McDermott and Rheban held on for the 2-11 to 1-11 win.
Although this game wouldn't have been looked on as one of the attractive games of the weekend both sides are to be commended for a whole hearted effort.
Rheban did enough to get the two points but Ardclough will take heart from a great performance.
