1989

Kilcummin

played 5th Nov 1989

Bonfires blazed around Lawlor's, Cross Chapel, and Kilcummin village on Sunday evening as they did in days long past when men like Der O'Connor and Eugene Moriarty returned in triumph to the parish.

On this occasion Kilcummin were savouring their O'Sullivan Cup victory over Rathmore at Fitzgerald Stadium earlier in the afternoon, a victory which saw years of dedication to under age football pay dividends at last.

Rathmore were in complete control right through the opening half and enjoyed a few points interval lead. Indeed the half-time margin could have been far greater but for an excellent midfield performance by Kilcummin’s Michael O'Leary and Micheal Doolan. The second half was a complete anti-climax with the winners inspired by the brilliance of O'Leary and Doolan, reversing the trend to turn in 30 minutes of power- packed football.

The turning point came midway through the second half when Micheal Doolan blasted a penalty shot to the roof of the Rathmore net to edge his side into a two point lead. This was the score which appeared to ignite the winners who really raised their game to brush aside the Rathmore challenge, and it is worth noting that Rathmore failed to raise a single flag in this half.

Richard Nolan shot Rathmore into an early lead when he tapped over a close-in free in the second minute. Two minutes later corner forward Derry Fitzgerald, collected a Richard Nolan centre to send a rasper to the Kilcummin net and increase the Rathmore lead to four points. Kilcummin had an opportunity to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty, after Pat Sheehan was foiled, but Micheal Doolan blasted the spot kick over the bar.

Glad of this let-off, Rathmore were back on the offensive with John Kelly sending over a good point and a minute later, Derry Fitzgerald had the ball in the Kilcummin net for the second time to increase his sides lead to seven points and this stage, Rathmore were shaping up very much to look like winners However, their euphoria was short-lived when midfielder Michael O'Leary climaxed a great forty yard solo-run by crashing home a superb goal to reduce the leeway to four points.

In the closing minutes of the half the sides exchanged points to leave the interval score Rathmore 2-3, Kilcummin 1-2. Kilcummin reopened with a flourish and had reduce the deficit to a single point with points by Dearmuid O'Callaghan (0-2) and a point by Michael O'Leary. Then came the penalty award when Sheehan was fouled, and on this occasion Micheal Doolan, capped a fine display by cracking home the goal that was to prove decisive. In the closing minutes Diarmuid O'Callaghan and Micheal O’Leary scored to stretch the lead to four points.

KILCUMMIN 2-7 RATHMORE 2-3

The winners had outstanding performers in Micheal O'Leary, Michael Doolan and Diarmuid O'Callaghan while Rathmore were best served by Sean O'Brien, Matt O'Riordan and Ted Cronin. The closing stages of what was otherwise a most sporting encounter was marred by a fracas involving spectators and players following an altercation between two opposing players.

Dan Moynihan (Legion)was a capable referee.



Copyright The Kerryman

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