DJ magic tops for Young Irelands

Young Irelands 3-11 Rathnure 0-11

Rathnure were in almost total control until DJ Carey goaled from a 23rd minute penalty he helped to win and they lost ground steadily early in the second half before having the first of two players sent off. After that, superior play from Gowran and a well-taken Carey goal from play firmly decided the issue.

Team captain and goalkeeper Martin Carey paid tribute to his team-mates. "The effort was unbelievable and to beat Rathnure at home made our win extra special. At the start of the year the objective was to try and win a second championship. To be in the Leinster final is a big bonus,'' he commented.

Coach John Brennan concedes that they face a mammoth task against Birr in the final in Portlaoise in two weeks time, but still has a lot of confidence in his team. "We learned a lot from this game. It was not easy. The first half was as competitive a game as I have been involved in all year,'' he stated. I thought Rathnure were superb. But, the penalty marked the turning point.''

For disappointed Rathnure manager Seamus Murphy, there was little consolation in the way his team hurled at the start. "We lost our shape a bit when they came back at us,'' he said. "But I thought we were well in the game until we had Stephen Somers sidelined.''

Although named at full-back, Somers had swopped with left corner-back Dave Guiney after DJ Carey lined up at full-forward. And, for Rathnure (who had beaten Gowran in their only other appearance in the championship five years ago), it proved to be a shrewd move. Guiney was highly motivated and, from the time he blocked down Carey's first effort at a score in the third minute, dominated the edge of the square.

With twin brother Rod settling down to play a similarly spirited role at left-half and Paul Codd linking up very effectively with John O'Connor at midfield, the Wexford champions looked a more superior combination and emphasised it with excellently taken scores. However, while they led 0-6 to 0-1 after a mere 13 minutes, they failed to take advantage of a good goal opportunity when, after Martin Carey saved from Brendan O'Leary, Mark Morrissey hit the rebound into the side-netting. In the final analysis it was to prove costly.

The game was being played at a surprisingly fast pace, the surface was in superb condition for the time of the year and Gowran were struggling big time until much improved play in defence heralded a gradual comeback. Stephen Byrne at right-half was especially prominent and Ollie Carter and James McDermott achieved a major improvement at midfield. Most significant of all, DJ Carey began to have an influence, first through typically hard work off the ball, tackling and spoiling clearances.

The result was that when he goaled from the penalty - with what the coach rightly described as 'a bullet - the contest began in earnest. Brendan O'Leary gave Rathnure their first score in 13 minutes, but it was to be their last of the half. Charlie Carter was now more involved, on the left wing for Gowran and Jack Carey was penetrating at centre-forward. In the circumstances, it wasn't a surprise to see them finish the half a point in front, 1-5 to 0-7.

In start contrast to the opening of the game, Rathnure had comparatively little to offer in attack on the resumption, which was a tribute to the consistency of the Gowran covering and the reliability of their full-back line in particular. And, whereas DJ Carey had failed from three long-range frees earlier on, now he was unerring in his shooting from a variety of distances.

After Somers had been dismissed in the 39th minute, Young Irelands were looking more and more like winners when they enjoyed a five points lead at the three-quarters stage. Then, two goals in a minute, the first from Carey (after Dick Carroll set him up) and the second from David Carter (with Carey involved initially in making a crucial tackle), made it absolutely certain. Apart from the introduction of veteran Pat O'Neill at wing-forward and the dismissal of Rathnure forward Robbie Codd (after appearing to challenge the referee's authority) were about the only highlights.

*Barry Kelly's refereeing was impressive by and large, confining his mistakes to the minimum.

Scorers: Young Irelands - D.J. Carey 2-4 (1-3 frees, 0-1 seventy); D. Carter 1-1; D. Carroll 0-3; C. Carter 0-2; J. Carey 0-1.

Rathnure: P. Codd 0-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline); T. Hogan and B. O'Leary 0-2 each; M. Byrne and N. Higgins 0-1 each.

YOUNG IRELANDS: M. Carey (capt.); C. Carroll, E. Farrell, C. Fitzgerald; S. Byrne, T. Drennan, C. Phelan; O. Carter, J. McDermott; J. Fitzgerald, J. Carey, C. Carter; D. Carroll, D.J. Carey, D. Carter. Subs: P. O'Neill for J. Fitzgerald (injured, 48th minute); P. Carroll for O. Carter (58th); L. Phelan for C. Carter (71st).

RATHNURE: J. Morrissey; A. O'Connell, D. Guiney, S. Somers; J. Mooney, M. O'Leary, R. Guiney; P. Codd, J. O'Connor; T. Horgan, M. Byrne, N. Higgins; B. O'Leary, R. Codd, M. Morrissey. Sub: S. O'Neill for Morrissey (34th minute); M. Redmond for Hogan (injured, 42nd).

Referee: B. Kelly (Westmeath).