Rathangan pip Monasterevin to take Division 3 title

Rathangan had a single point to spare over near neighbours Monasterevin as they claimed the Hanlon Concrete Division 3 league title.

On a Saturday that saw heavy rain throughout, conditions were difficult and a strong cross-field breeze only compounded matters.

Ross Teehan converted a second minute free to set Rathangan on the way. Two points inside a minute from Padraig Nash and

Charlie Doyle had Monasterevin in front for the first time. The lead was shortlived as Ben Murphy levelled it after 5 with a brilliant point on the run.

Rathangan pushed ahead again when Sam Savage won a ball under the stand and he raced away from two defenders to curl over into the Newbridge end.

Rian Teehan won the kickout and his neat pass set up Savage who was left clear on goals but a late foot block saw referee Billy O'Connell point to the spot.Sam Savage finished with ease.

Seven minutes later full back Dan Mulpeter got forward to extend that lead to five as Rathangan were full value for their lead.
Monasterevin had an uphill battle as we headed towards the closing five minutes of the half.
The pacey Ryan Bannon kicked a great point on 26, before Wayne Fitzpatrick, from a free, reduced the gap to three.

There was time for the impressive Sam Savage to ad his third score of the half as Rathangan went to the dressing rooms 1-5 to 0-4 to the good.

Despite lining out without the influential Dj Earley Monasterevin took to the field for the second half with a real purpose to their game. The switch of midfielder Paul Maloney to full forward was to cause Rathangan plenty of problems.

Within nine minutes Monasterevin were back on level terms. Padraig Nash with two, from a mark and play, Paul Maloney and Ryan Bannon all raised white flags as the men in blue eroded that half time deficit.

Rathangan had gone 14 minutes without a score and it took corner back Shane O'Loughlin to get their first of the half. Sam Savage putting him in space before he fisted over the lead point.

Wing back Alex Conlan used his pace to create a well worked point and from no where Rathangan were two ahead. That was to be their last score and they were left scrambling at the end.

The closing 14 minutes only yielded a Wayne Fitzpatrick point from a free but despite plenty of chances Monasterevin were wasteful and they could never get the leveller to force extra time.Rathangn held on for a 1-7 to 0-9 victory.

With the Intermediate Championship less than two weeks away both of these teams will have aspirations of been involved at the business end. Improvement from both sides will be essential.

RATHANGAN: Josh Smullen; Alex O'Kelly, Dan Mulpeter 0-1, Shane O'Loughlin 0-1; Mark Fitzsimons, Michael Fitzsimons, Alex Conlan 0-1; Rian Teehan, Ben Murphy 0-1; Stefan Lawlor, Sam Savage 1-2 (1 penalty), Muiris Curtin; Brandon Maloney, Ross Teehan 0-1 (1 free), Aaron Mullins. Subs: Felim Doyle for Brandon Maloney (half-time); Robert Walsh for Alex O Kelly 42.

MONASTEREVIN: Adam Forde; Keelan Meredith, Eoin Stapelton, Cormac Stapelton; Charlie Doyle 0-1, Cian Harrison, Eric Morrissey; Sean Kavanagh, Paul Maloney 0-1; Padraig Nash 0-3 (1 mark), Tristan Kennedy, Conor Lonergan; Ryan Bannon 0-2, Wayne Fitzpatrick 0-2 (2 frees), Evan Nash. Subs: Mark Kelly for Tristan Kennedy 9; Michael Donohue for Keelan Meredith H/T; Leonard Havens for Charlie Doyle 45; David Maher for Conor Lonergan 57.

REFEREE: Billy O Connell.