Caragh survive Rathangan comeback to book final place

Caragh 1-15

Rathangan 1-13

Caragh booked a place in next Sunday's Auld Shebeen Athy IFC final with a two point win over Rathangan at Manguard Park on Saturday.

It was a game the men from Caragh looked in total command at the break, leading 1-10 to 0-4 but in fairness Rathangan came roaring back on the resumption, dominated most of the half without, it has to be said really threatening to overtake their opponents. However they, Rathangan, will be sorely disappointed with their opening half efforts while winners, Caragh, will have lots to ponder as to their fade-out in that second half.

Caragh opened the scoring after four minutes following a perfect kick-out from Michael Behan that found it's way to Darragh Swords and the centre forward split the posts.

An excellent run by Ross Teahan, deep into the danger area saw him being fouled and Sam Savage popped over.

Dan Lynam edged Caragh back in front but the sides were level for the second time, this time Aran Teahan firing over to make it 0-2 apiece after 12 minutes.

Ronan Doorey got the first of his three first half points but a foul on Rian Teahan saw Ross Teahan convert the free and the sides were level once again.

At this stage Caragh began to get a grip around the middle and were looking that bit more focused, a foul on Jake Corrigan saw Eoghan O'Haire convert, Josh Gannon added his second and on 18 minutes a fine move involving Cathal McKennedy, Josh Gannon and Ronan Doorey ended with the latter making it 0-6 to 0-3 with 18 minutes on the clock.

A long ball in saw Rathangan gain possession, a foul ensured, the ball was brought forward by referee Alan Archbold and Ross Teahan added the point to leave it 0-6 to 0-4 after 20 minutes.

From here to the break it was all Caragh who had no shortage of possession and they certainly made it pay off with points from Darragh Swords (free), Eoin O'Haire (free) and another from Ronan Doorey.

Then on just before the long whistle a long ball in by Eoghan O'Haire was collected by Jake Corrigan, he seemed to lose control but regained possession before swirling and firing a left footed effort to the corner of the Rathangan net.

There was still time for another point and it was corner back Billy Byrne who got forward to make it at the break Caragh 1-10 Rathangan 0-4.

Two quick points on the resumption from a Ross Teahan free and a similar score from Sam Savage gave Rathangan a bit of impetus. However a lovely effort from Jake Corrigan left eight between them.

Ross Teahan converted another free and it was the Teahan boys again who combined, Aran finishing to reduce the lead.

It was all Rathangan at this stage, dominating the middle third they added three points from Aran Teahan, Conor Jamieson and a free from Ross Teahan to cult the lead back to four with 46 on the clock, 1-11 to 0-10.

Josh Gannon eased the growing Caragh worries with a fine point; Sam Savage converted a free before Jake Corrigan had the lead back out to five on 53 minutes.

Rian Teahan made a brilliant run through the middle but his goal effort was well saved by Michael Behan.

An inspirational point from Matthew McNally was replied to by Conor Jamieson and when Ben Murphy added another their remained four in it with 59 on the clock.

A second brilliant point from Matthew McNally after a mighty block had the game in the balance; a 20m free saw David Murphy find the net and suddenly there was just two between them.

However, the long whistle arrived and while the winners were well worth their victory, it was certainly a very dodgy second half display from Caragh.

MAIN MAN
Jake Corrigan
A few in contention. Full back, Matthew McNally scored two inspirational points in the second half for Caragh while Ronan Doorey had an excellent opening half. Kevin Connor made some brilliant catches and Josh Gannon got a vital point to ease growing worries. However it was Jake Corrigan who really set Caragh on their way with an excellent goal in the opening half and then added two vital points in the second half to keep Rathangan at bay as they dominated the second half.

TURNING POINT
In a tight game goals are always important but the two points from Matthew McNally were inspirational and really inspired this team.

TALKING POINT
Two really talking points really, the first was the total dominance of Caragh in the opening half and the second the fade-out in the second.

WHAT NOW?
Caragh march on to the final on Sunday where they will tackle Leixlip in the IFC decider.

Scorers: Caragh: Jake Corrigan 1-2, Ronan Doorey 0-3, Eoghan O'Haire 0-2 (2 frees), Matthew McNally 0-2, Josh Gannon 0-2, Darragh Swords 0-2 (1 free), Billy Byrne 0-1, Dan Lynham 0-1.

Rathangan, Ross Teahan 0-5 (5 frees), David Murphy 1-0, Sam Savage 0-3 (3 frees), Conor Jamieson 0-2, Aran Teahan 0-2, Ben Murphy 0-1.

CARAGH: Michael Behan; Cathal McKennedy, Matthew McNally, Billy Byrne; Conor Sullivan, Ryan Burke, Dan Murray; Kevin Connor, Dan Lynam; Josh Gannon, Darragh Swords, Paul Dockery; Ronan Doorey, Eoghan O'Haire, Jake Corrigan. Subs: Kevin Campbell for Dan Lynam (44 minutes); Austin Nevin for Billy Byrne (56 minutes); Fergal McKennedy for Josh Gannon (59 minutes); Cian Burke for Conor Sullivan (59 minutes); Liam Blake for Kevin Connor (63 minutes).

RATHANGAN: Craig Shannon; Oisin O'Loughlin, Mark Fitzsimons, Shane O'Loughlin, Eoin Curtin, Michael Fitzsimons, David Vaughan; Rian Teahan, Ben Murphy; Conor Jamieson, Sam Savage, Ross Teahan; Stefan Lawler, David Murphy, Aran Teahan. Subs: Daniel Mulpeter for Oisin O'Loughlin (24 minutes); Sean Behan for Michael Fitzsimons (ts 34-36 minutes); Sean Behan for Stefan Lawler (43 minutes); Feilim Doyle for David Vaughan (52 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Archbold.