RATHMORE led just once in an engaging O’Donoghue Cup final at Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium this afternoon but they did so when it mattered most as a dramatic late point from midfielder Donal O’Sullivan clinched the silverware and shattered Legion’s dream.
The Killarney side has led all through the closely contested game but they could never increase their advantage to more than three points with the reigning champions proving too stubborn and impossible to kill off.
This 0-11 to 0-10 victory was a remarkable achievement for Rathmore as they made it four East Kerry SFC titles in a row with Derek Moynihan making his first term as manager a very successful one.
For the greater part of the encounter it was a tale of two sharpshooters as James O’Donoghue for Legion and Shane Ryan for Rathmore were most impressive from placed balls and, in fact, O’Donoghue contributed eight of his side’s 10-point tally, the other two coming from corner forward Jamie O’Sullivan – the only two Killarney players to score on the day.
The latter actually had a chance to force the game into extra time right at the death but his free was off target and referee Donal Casey from Scartaglen blew the full-time whistle.
Legion, to be fair, looked the better and sharper side for three quarters of the game but they faded dramatically in the last 10 minutes – at which stage they led by three – losing the exchanges in the middle third and retreating into defence, almost inviting Rathmore to rum at them.
And the four-in-a-row champs didn’t need that invitation in writing and a Shane Ryan free, and an impressive Mark Ryan point was followed by another from midfield colleague Donal O’Sullivan to level it and O’Sullivan repeated the dose right at the death to ensure the O’Donoghue cup will be resting on Brendan O’Keeffe’s sideboard over Christmas.
In a tough, uncompromising first half, Legion looked the more likely with Jonathan Lyne causing problems for Rathmore with his surging runs from deep, Cian Gammell and Chris Davis keeping it tight at the back and Billy McGuire and Shaun Keane doing well at midfield to ensure a good supply of ball to the in-form James O’Donoghue who helped himself to five points from frees and three from play despite being tightly marked.
Alan O’Neill’s team were 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the break but they must have been concerned that a full forward line containing Conor Keane, Jamie O’Sullivan and the towering Padraig Lucey was getting little if nothing from Aidan O’Mahony, Mikey Joe Kelliher and co.
The sides were level early in the second half but it began to look good for Legion when they pulled three clear, courtesy of James O’Donoghue (two) and Jamie O’Sullivan but as the game wore on their game plan looked to have gone missing as Rathmore ran at them almost relentlessly, forcing them into mistakes and taking full advantage of the shortcomings in the Killarney side’s rearguard.
There were scenes of great joy when Rahmore captain Brendan O’Keeffe accepted the O’Donoghue Cup from Fr Paddy O’Donoghue and Patrick O’Donoghue of sponsors The Aquila Club and Derek Moynihan and his charges will, no doubt, be back to try to make it five next winter.
For Legion, however, the long wait continues and it is not 41 years since they last celebrated an O’Donoghue Cup win.
Rathmore scorers: Shane Ryan 0-6 (0-4 frees); Eoin Lawlor 0-2; Donal O’Sullivan 0-2, Mark Ryan 0-1.
Legion scorers: James O’Donoghue 0-8 (0-5 frees); Jamie O’Sullivan 0-2.
Rarhnore: Padraic McCarthy,Cathal Murphy, Aidan O’Mahony, Mikey Joe Kelliher, Cillian O’Connor, Conor O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Keeffe, Donal O’Sullivan, Mark Ryan, George O’Keeffe, Brian Friel, Daniel O’Sullivan, Shane Ryan, Eoin Lawlor, John Moynihan.
Subs: Comor O’Sulliban for John Moynihan; Colm Kelly for Cillian O’Connor; Dean Fitzgerald for Eoin Lawlor.
Legion: Brian Kelly, Chris Davis, Danny Sheehan, Darragh O’Doherty, Cian Gammell, Damien O’Sullivan, Jonathan Lyne, Billy McGuire, Shaun Keane, Donal Lyne, James O’Donoghue, Finbarr Murphy, Jamie O’Sullivan, Padraig Lucey, Conor Keane.
Subs: Jack O’Neill for Darragh O’Doherty; Peter McCarthy for Padraig Luceyl; Sean McCarthy for Billy McGuire.
Referee: Donal Casey (Scartaglin).
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