Three first-half points from Liam Murphy and one from Donal Murphy saw Gneeveguilla lead 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval. Scores were again hard to come by in the second-half, but Rathmore made the most of their chances, with points from Michael O’Riordan, George O’Keeffe and Marc Reen to prevail by a point.

All-Ireland IFC champions Milltown/Castlemaine served notice they might be a force in SFC when beating a previously unbeaten Austin Stacks 2-9 to 0-9.

A ninth minute Donal Kelliher goal sent the Mid-Kerry side on their way with Cathal Moriarty chipping in with three points. TJ Hogan tried to rally Stacks with a brace but Milltown led 1-3 to 0-4 at half time.

It was nip and tuck in the third quarter, David Mannix and Darragh O’Brien keeping Stacks in touch as Cathal Moriarty continued to excel and only a point separated the sides by the 45th minute. A minute later a powerful surge from Kieran McKenna led to Colm Kerins rattling the Stacks net. Milltown/Castlemaine never looked like losing after that as they join Rathmore on top and Stacks slip to third.

St Michaels/Foilmore, inspired by Eanna O’Connor, hammered Kerins O’Rahillys 1-12 to 0-4, Bernard Kelly getting the goal and O’Connor (0-5) and Johnny Clifford (0-3) doing the bulk of the scoring.

Two well-taken goals, one in the opening half by Legion’s Michael O’Sullivan and another straight after half-time by David O’Sullivan proved decisive at Spa as Legion moved to six points with a 2-10 to 0-15 win.

Crokes, thanks to two goals from Chris Brady, were far too strong for pointless Ardfert earlier in the week, winning 2-13 to 0-7 and are level with Legion on six points, while Dingle’s game with Laune Rangers was postponed.