Oh so easy for the champions against unprepared Brickeys

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior Football Championship Group B 

Rathgormack 4-15 

Brickey Rangers 0-4 

At their very best Brickeys were always going to be up against it facing the defending champions in their opening game but having to do so one week on from a dramatic victory over Clashmore in the Premier Intermediate Hurling final made it a ‘mission impossible’ for the Bushy Park outfit who would not have seen a football for the previous ten weeks.

No doubt the hurling victory was duly celebrated long into last week with Brickeys having no option but to fulfil the football fixture and recover for the remaining group games.

It was no surprise then that this game turned out to be no more than a stroll in the park for a very focussed Rathgormack side with the result well and truly decided before halftime.

Two goals from Stephen Curry either side of a Jason Gleeson point in the opening minutes set the scene with Rathgormack piling the pressure on a hard pressed Brickeys defence and easing into a 2-7 to 0-1 lead before James Power and Conor Murray goals completed the first half scoring at 4-7 to 0-1, the Brickeys’ point coming from Cormac O’Grady in the 20th minute.

Rathgormack did not extend themselves in the second half, clearing their bench and ending with no fewer than eleven players on the score sheet. Brickeys did their best but could only add three further points from Brendan Cullinane, Mark Cummins and Cillian Ryan (F).

Scorers:- Rathgormack – Stephen Curry 2-1, James Power 1-2, Conor Murray 1-0, Jason Gleeson and Jason Curry 0-3 (2Fs) each, Glen Power, Adam Murray, Francis Roche, Peter Walsh, Michael Curry (F) and Daniel Crotty 0-1 each.

Brickey Rangers – Cormac O’Grady, Brendan Cullinane (F), Mark Cummins and Cillian Ryan (F) 0-1 each.

Rathgormack – Paudie Hunt, Conor Walsh, Mairtin Power, Glen Power, Sean Hahessy, Donncha Hassett, Liam Connelly, Peter Walsh, Michael Curry, James Power, Jason Curry, Conor Murray, Jason Gleeson, Stephen Curry, Adam Murray. Subs used in second half – Daniel Crotty, Francis Roche, Paul Drohan, Stephen Kirwan and Ronan Elliffe.

Brickey Rangers – Philip Bannon, Cillian Ryan, Conor Phelan, Darragh O’Grady, Mark Cummins, Philip Walsh, Niall Browne, Cormac O’Grady, Sean Lennon, Conor Whelan, Brendan Cullinane, Dan Kelly, Cormac Deevey, Tom O’Connell, James Hahessy. Subs used – Jack Power, Ian Holmes, Alan Curran, Jack Lombard, Brian Fox.

Referee – Tom Mansfield (Affane/Cappoquin).