Rathangan get better of Straffan by three

Rathangan 0-14

Straffan 1-8

Rathangan had three points to spare over Straffan as both sides served up a decent encounter in the Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate football championship.

Despite difficult under foot conditions after heavy afternoon showers both sides came into this Group A encounter after impressive wins over Suncroft and Nurney with the hope of opening their account with a win. John Tracey, from a free and Aaron Kiernan had Straffan two up inside seven minutes.

Sam Savage converted an eight minute free to get Rathangan up and running but Straffan replied inside a minute when Andy O'Neill pointed from a tight angle to leave two in it again.

The game ebbed and flowed and the tough conditions meant both sides were struggling with poor handling and decision making.

Rathangan adjusted the better and four unanswered points in a five minute spell had them in front as we entered the last 11 minutes of the half.

Sam Savage added two, one each from play and a free. Ben Murphy and Ross Teehan also got on the score board as Rathangan were playing the better football.

When you thought Rathangan would move on Straffan responded through Ruairi Power and another John Tracey free to level it on 23 minutes.

The closing seven minutes saw the games only goal arrive. David Ó Murchu had eased Rathangan ahead with a point from just outside the 20 metre line but Straffan struck back almost immediately. John Tracey launched a high ball on top of Tom

Donovan, the full forward showed great strength to get his shot away and past Craig Shannon.

Sam Savage had time for a late free to leave it 1-5 to 0-7 in favour of Straffan at the break.

Aran Teehan leveled matters within two minutes of the restart and when Sam Savage converted his fifth on 35 Rathangan were back in front again.

The same pattern continued throughout the second half. James Gannon got his first to draw the sides level for the fourth time. Ross Teehan and Tracey swapped frees as the sides couldn't be separated.

With nineteen minutes remaining Straffan could only add one more point through a fourth John Tracey free.

Having only played on Tuesday night the heavy underfoot conditions were starting to tell. Rathangan edged ahead again when Ben Murphy kicked his second from half back.

Sam Savage put Rathangan two ahead; Ross Teehan added a free.

The closing three minutes saw John Tracey add his fourth free but Rathangan substitute Conor Jamieson kicked a wonderful score to leave it 0-14 to 1-8 in favour of Rathangan.

RATHANGAN: Craig Shannon; Oisin O'Loughlin, Mark Fitzsimons, Shane O'Loughlin; Eoin Curtin, Michael Fitzsimons, Ben Murphy 0-2; Rian Teehan, Ross Teehan 0-3 (2 frees; Muiris Curtin, David O Murchu 0-1, Stefan Lawlor; Sam Savage 0-6 (4 frees), Aaron Mullins, Aran Teehan 0-1. Subs: Conor Jamieson 0-1 for Aaron Mullins 45; Sean Behan for Stefan Lawlor 47; Alex Conlan for Muiris Curtin 57.

STRAFFAN : Matthew Duggan, James Gannon 0-1, Alan Byrne, Mike Tracey, Nathan O Brien, Liam Donovan, Aaron Kiernan 0-1, Sam Friel, John Tracey 0-4 (4 frees), Ruairi Power 0-1, Rory Byrne, Brian Tracey, Andy ONeill 0-1, Tom Donovan 1-0, Ed Maher. Subs: Declan Riley for Nathan O Brien 45; Conor Duggan for Brian Tracey 45; Kevin McNeill for James Gannon 58.

REFEREE: Henry Barrett.