Magic Mark ends Rathgormack's Munster dreams
Rathgormack's Ger Hahessy and Jason Curry surround Mark McInerney of Eire Og, but he somehow manages to keep hold of the ball.
Rathgormack bowed out of the Munster Senior Club Football Championship at Cusack Park on Sunday but Kenny Hassett's men gave it everything in defeat.
0-16 from man-of-the-match Mark McInerney was key to their demise as hosts Eire Og Inis marched on to a meeting with Clonmel Commercials in the provincial semi-finals.
A well-taken two point free by the outstanding McInerney opened the scoring to set the theme for the afternoon in Ennis - but it didn't take long for Rathgormack to open their account as Jason Curry showed great feet before dissecting the uprights after two minutes.
The hosts then worked the ball to McInerney inside the arc and he made no mistake in finding the radar once more, before a precise move from the 13-time Waterford champions allowed Curry to thread through Conor Murray for a trademark effort which reduced arrears to the minimum.
They soon found themselves level as a magical effort from Stephen Curry's left boot sailed over from the tightest of angles - but they were quickly reminded of the quality they were up against as McInerney produced another two-pointer despite seemingly having no space to do so.
Rathgormack had their goalkeeper Paudie Hunt to thank on 12 minutes as McInerney was sent racing through, but Hunt produced a fine block to keep out the effort before the green and red worked the ball upfield and won a free which Jason Curry knocked over.
Despite being just a point behind, Rathgormack continued to live dangerously. Luke Pyne was next to be afforded a goal opportunity off the back of a botched clearance but Hunt was on hand once more to make a great save with his left foot midway through the first half.
That proved a particularly crucial piece of intervention as Rathgormack made the hosts pay - James Power marauded upfield and offloaded to Curry who jinked inside his marker to bury the ball home and make it 1-4 to 0-5 in favour of the Waterford kingpins.
They weren't ahead for long however, and McInerney again proved their scourge. He was allowed to cut inside and point with ease in the first instance before a short kickout went wrong and the same man was on hand to knock over his and Eire Og's seventh.
The Mark McInerney Show was firmly in residency by the time he finished off a superb counter-attack from the Banner side and another expertly taken two-point free from the right suddenly had Rathgormack three points behind.
It was soon six McInerney points on the spin as he knocked over a free before Billy Power created space and found the target as Rathgormack attempted to reduce the deficit heading toward the break.
A well-worked move saw the impressive Ikem Ugwuru fist over before Rathgormack were miraculously denied a second goal in added time. Jason Curry and James Power combined to tee up Peter Walsh to fist to a seemingly unoccupied net but who was on hand only McInerney to expertly turn the ball away on the line.
Their cause was galvanised still, as they recycled possession to allow Conor Murray to knock over a superb score when double-marked to make it 0-12 to 1-6 at the break. Up against it, but not out of it.
Whatever manager Kenny Hassett said at half time worked as Rathgormack looked a different team after the break. Jason Curry punished careless possession to reduce arrears to two before a great goal chance went begging as Francis Roche overhit his pass to the unmarked Peter Walsh.
A Curry free had the visitors back within one, but a patiently crafted score from Darren O'Brien provided temporary reprieve for the hosts. Substitute Sean Hahessey made a telling contribution on his introduction, clipping over a beauty from just inside the arc before Roche was played in behind and struck the post on 41 minutes when goalkeeper Cian Howard was well beaten.
On 43 minutes, hopes were high as Rathgormack took the lead for the first time when Jason Curry dispossessed Ugwuru and unleashed a two-pointer that sailed over the bar to rapturous applause from the travelling supporters.
That lead was to be short lived however, as Luke Pyne was quickly on hand to level before a close range free from McInerney restored the advantage for the Ennis men. A huge chance once again wasn't taken by Rathgormack on 51 minutes as James Power sent Billy Power through only to be denied by the right foot of Howard.
They were duly punished as Eire Og Inis capitalised on tiring legs. Ugweru teed up Dean Ryan to swing over from close range before another McInerney free gave his side a three-point cushion with three minutes left.
Rathgormack were in need of something inspiring and Power was on hand to deliver it with a superb two-pointer from the left. But if you give Mark McInerney chances, he will punish you. A cheap free resulted in another orange flag as time was fast disappearing, and try as they might - Rathgormack couldn't live with him. He fittingly knocked over the game's final score to insure a four-point victory. At times it looked in doubt, but it was merited regardless.
Mark McInerney (0-16;1tp, 3tpf, 0-4f); Ikem Ugwueru, Darren O’Brien, Luke Pyne and Dean Ryan (0-1 each).
Jason Curry (0-6; 1tp, 0-2f); Stephen Curry (1-1); Conor Murray and James Power (tp) (0-2 each); Billy Power and Sean Hahessy (0-1 each).
Cian Howard; Darren Moroney, Aaron Fitzgerald, Dean Ryan; Ciaran Russell, Gavin D'Auria, Manus Doherty: David McNamara, Darren O'Brien; Ronan Lanigan, Gavin Murray, Oran Cahill; Luke Pyne, Ikem Ugwuru, Mark McInerney.
Jarlath Collins for Oran Cahill (44); Aidan McGrath for Gavin Murray (53); Jack Joyce for Darren Moroney (56), Niall McMahon for Darren O’Brien (60).
Paudie Hunt; Liam Mulligan, Mairtin Power, Willie Hahessy; Glen Power, Tom Walsh, Cathal Crowch; James Power, Michael Curry; Francis Roche, Peter Walsh, Jason Curry; Billy Power, Stephen Curry, Conor Murray.
Sean Hahessy for Cathal Crowch (HT); Reece O'Mahony for Francis Roche (42); Ger Hahessy for Glen Power (46, inj).
David Murnane (Cork)
