Park-Ratheniska spring a surprise in opening Kelly Cup game against St Joseph's

Club football returned to Laois on Friday night as Park-Ratheniska overcame St Joseph's in Tony Byrne Park. The sides have been given a tough drawn alongside Crettyard in Group C of the 2023 Kelly Cup.

St Joseph's are defending champions, having beaten Ballyroan-Abbey in last year's final. They are also the reigning Division 1 champions, so the away win will give Park-Ratheniska a massive boost to start their season.

The hosts got off to a fast start, Bernard Wheatley scoring after just 15 seconds. Seamus Farrelly added a second with under two minutes played. Kieran Delaney pulled one back for Park-Ratheniska but the visitors would not score again for 20 minutes.

Park Ratheniska 2-9

St Joseph's 0-14

Josh O'Brien then slotted over three points in quick succession, including a free and a lovely score from play. This was followed by a lull in play as we went twelve minutes without a score, until O’Brien stood up once again.

Park-Ratheniska were getting forward but looking light in front of goal. Nothing was clicking in open play until the 24th minute when James Connolly put the ball in the St Joseph’s net and added a point moments later to bring his side right back into the game.

St Joseph’s had endless time and space, however, and used their wonderful passing game to create a consistent tempo. Wheatley got an incredible score just before half time, finishing off a patient team move to give his side a lead of 0-7 to 1-2.

Both sides made a raft of changes at the break, which made for a totally different half of football. St Joseph’s new forward line were much more direct while Park-Ratheniska upped their energy and doggedness exponentially.

The hosts kept the scoreboard ticking, but every time they scored, Connolly hit back for the visitors. St Joseph’s led by four points with ten minutes remaining, but three quick scores from Connolly made it a one-point game heading into the final five minutes.

Then, with under three minutes to play, Park-Ratheniska’s substitutes, Darragh Nolan and David McCabe, combined for the winning goal. McCabe beat three defenders and picked out Nolan in the square who punched the ball into the net to give his side what must be considered an upset.