S.F.L. Division 1
Rathvilly 2-10 Tinryland 1-12
Confusion reigned at the end of this first round Division 1 game played at Fr. Ryan Park in Rathvilly on Friday 14th March
When the final whistle had sounded many at the venue felt that the game had ended in a draw with some even thinking that Tinryland had scored a shock victory over the reigning Co. champions.
Referee Eoghan Evesson who played almost six minutes of stoppage time stated that Rathvilly had actually won it when their corner forward Diarmuid Gavin goaled in the dying seconds of injury time.
To their credit Tinryland took it on the chin and took the positives out of what was an excellent opening game of the season. It appears that the confusion arose over whether a score by Conor Carew was a two or one pointer. Video footage of the score would give credence to the former as Carew appeared to be well outside the D when he slotted over the point.
Totting up the scores at the end it appears that Rathvilly dodged a bullet as unlike inter Co. games there was no orange flags used with the referee himself signalling a two-pointer with both arms raised or a one pointer with one arm.
The closeness of the result surprised many when one considers the different paths both teams were on last season. Rathvilly raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes with Brandon Kelly converting a penalty after Diarmuid Gavin was fouled in the big square.
Brian Smith added a two-pointer before Tinryland opened their account with points from the cousins Niall Lowry and Bobby Doyle. Tinryland who were finally waking up from their slumbers were back in the game when Cormac Walshe scored a goal in the 18th minute. At the other end the Tinryland defence was being tested by Brian Smith and Brandon Kelly who ended with 1-5 between them.
Half Time score Rathvilly 1-10 Tinryland 1-4
When the 2nd half began it was Tinryland who began to dominate. The lively Conor Carew who was excellent throughout converted a free and added a two pointer to leave only 2 points separating the teams and all to play for. Diarmaid Walshe added another point for the men in blue and white and Conor Carew appeared to have levelled matters with what most in attendance considered to be a two pointer. Diarmaid Walshe repeated that act with a one and two pointer in succession and most thought that Tinryland were 3 points up at this stage. Then came the controversy with Diarmuid Gavins late goal for the Wicklow border side. Tinryland players and officials were obviously disappointed in their eyes to have only drawn the game. Then came the bad news that referee Evesson had them down as having lost by the minimum margin. To Tinryland’s credit they accepted the decision and took what positives they could out of the game.
Tinryland: Peter Hennessy, Cian McGuire, Conor Ryan, Michael Hosey, Danny Moran, Jonah Dunne, Niall Lowry 0-1, Shane Redmond, Diarmaid Walshe 0-5, Lorcan O’Connor, Conor Carew 0-5, Mark Lawlor, Cormac Walshe 1-1, Matthew O’Toole, Bobby Doyle 0-1. Subs: Sean Murphy, Jamie Walker, Conal O’Shea.
Rathvilly: Regan Murphy, Colin Byrne, Paul Curran, Keith Curran, Padraig Deering, Josh Moore 0-1, Brian Smith 0-3, Ed Finnegan, Dara Curran 0-1, Jake Elliott 0-1, Brandon Kelly 1-2, Ryan Sibbald, Diarmuid Gavin 1-0, Robert Ryan 0-1, Eoghan O’Connor-Byrne 0-1. Sub: Tony Bolger
