Mountmellick power past Park/Ratheniska
Colm Coss gave his usual assured performance against Park Ratheniska Photo: Paul Dargan
IFC Semi-final
Mountmellick 0-17
Park/Ratheniska 0-9
Mountmellick are back in another Intermediate football final after they deservedly overcame a disappointing Park/Ratheniska at sun drenched Portarlington on Sunday morning.
Last time out Mountmellick snatched victory from Arles Kilcruise with virtually the last kick of the game.
Park/Ratheniska came in to the game as slight favourites but a week after their hurlers were sent packing from the championship, now their season is over except for a Junior ‘C’ Football semi-final.
Mountmellick signalled their intentions from the throw in and went ahead with a point by Ryan Conran. Both went on to kick wides but Mountmellick goalkeeper Eoghan Keogh converted a free from 50 metres out after five minutes. James Connolly opened the Park/Ratheniska account seven minutes later.
Mountmellick were winning much possession and in a three minutes spell Niall Mullen converted two frees, followed by a wide from Colm Coss but they were totally dominating.
Midfielder Rhian McEntee, a Monaghan native, kicked a second point for Park/Ratheniska and within minutes Sean Tierney added a third point. It appeared at this stage as if Park/Ratheniska were coming into their stride and were ready to make a game of it.
Instead Mountmellick hit back with three excellent points, first Eoin George from play, then a Niall Mullen free and a fine point by Ryan Conran to go four clear with 23 minutes played.
Park/Ratheniska shuffled the pack and responded with points from one of their stand out players, Padraig Dunne to cut the deficit. But in the half’s closing minutes and injury time Park/Ratheniska conceded two frees which were punished by Niall Mullen leaving the finalists of three years ago leading 0-9 to 0-5.
Park/Ratheniska knew they were in bother but would have the slight breeze on their return. As he did in the first half, midfielder Padraig Dunne opened the Park/Ratheniska account with a point. But Park/Ratheniska followed this up with two wides.
Worse was to follow at the other end. Park/Ratheniska had defended well but then an awful back pass in front of goal was intercepted by Eoin George and he had the simple task of kicking over the bar.
After that Mountmellick enjoyed a great spell but as tempers frayed cards were issued all over the pitch. This did not effect Mountmellick.
Park/Ratheniska introduced, the returning from injury, Richie Hitchcock and added a point from defender Tom O’Connell. Now seven points was the margin entering the final quarter.
Park/Ratheniska introduced more fresh legs before Cian Nolan kicked a point but almost immediately Mountmellick’s Niall Mullen converted, this time from play. Padraig Dunne and Mullen swapped points while another point by Colin McEogh saw Mountmellick lead by double scores.
Park/Ratheniska had a late goal opportunity but the ball skimmed the outright on the outside and that more or less ended a hard fought contest. Tempers frayed again in the closing minutes and a few players were lucky to avoid sanction. Park/Ratheniska will be disappointed but on the day they were second best.
Mountmellick began with a poor league campaign but have been transformed. Although they will be underdogs facing last year’s finalists, Crettyard in the decider they will make a bold bid if they can reproduce this performance.
SCORERS:
Mountmellick: Niall Mullen 0-7 (0-5fs), Finn Culleton and Eoin George 0-2 each, Eoghan Keogh (45), Colm Coss, Tom O’Connell, Ryan Conron, Colin McEvoy and Jack Gorman 0-1 each.
Park/Ratheniska: Padraig Dunne (0-2fs) and James Connolly (0-2fs) 0-3 each, Sean Tierney, Rhian McEntee and Jim Langton 0-1 each.
MOUNTMELLICK: Eoghan Keogh; Cian Thompson, Redmond McEvoy, Kai Byrne; Tom O’Connell, James Connolly, Colin McEvoy; Stephen Lynch, Jack Gorman; Ryan Conran, Colm Coss, Finn Culleton; Rory Culleton, Eoin George, Niall Mullen.
Subs: David Kelly for Lynch (43), Robin McEvoy for Coss (55m, inj), Jim Scully for Connolly (55m).
PARK/RATHENISKA: Cathal Tierney; James Newell, Colm Brennan, Benny Greene; Peter Conroy, Brian Fingleton, Killian O’Connor; Rhian McEntee, Padraig Dunne; Sean Tierney, Simon Fingleton, Cian Nolan; James Connolly, Stephen Tynan, Noah Fingleton.
Subs: Brian Dunne for N. Fingleton (ht), Richie Handcock for B. Fingleton (40m), Jamie Downey for S. Tierney (40m), James Langton for Condron (43m), DJ O’Connell for Tynan (45m).
Referee: Padraig Dunne (Colt)
