Charlie Friel the hero as Rosenallis defeat 14-man Rathdowney-Errill

Rosenallis have made it back-to-back wins in this year’s Laois Shopping Centre SHC after Charlie Friel’s late point got them over the line against a 14-man Rathdowney-Errill.

Rathdowney-Errill’s red card came 15 minutes into the game when Mark Kavanagh was shown a straight red in the aftermath of the Rosenallis goal.

To their credit, Rathdowney-Errill hurled well with a player less, but couldn’t shake off Rosenallis, who pipped them with the last puck.

The sides were evenly matched in the opening exchanges. Jack Friel opened the scoring for Rosenallis before Mark Kavanagh replied from a placed ball for Rathdowney-Errill. Conor Cosgrove edged Rosenallis back in front only for Kavanagh to level matters once more with another free.

Rosenallis then enjoyed their best spell of the half. Brian Fitzpatrick and Matthew Bennett both found the target from play before Shane Bracken halted the run with a point for Rathdowney-Errill. Cosgrove, deadly accurate from placed balls throughout, added two successive frees to leave Rosenallis firmly in the driving seat.

The decisive moment of the opening period arrived shortly afterwards. A misplaced Rathdowney-Errill puck-out went straight to Paddy Keating, who reacted quickly to release Brian Fitzpatrick. The Rosenallis forward made no mistake, burying his finish to the net and giving his side a significant cushion.

Rathdowney-Errill’s task became even more difficult when Mark Kavanagh was shown a straight red card following an off-the-ball foul on Charlie Friel.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Rathdowney-Errill outscored Rosenallis seven points to three up until half-time. Thep Fitzpatrick took over the free-taking duties before Michael Cleary added a fine point from play. Fitzpatrick split the posts with another placed ball as they attempted to reduce the deficit. Cosgrove continued to punish any indiscretions, converting frees with impressive consistency.

Jack Kelly became Rathdowney-Errill’s third free-taker of the half before Cleary added his second point from play. Cosgrove again responded from a free, while Kelly showcased his accuracy by curling over an excellent sideline cut. Cosgrove landed yet another free before Kelly had the final say of the half from a placed ball. Rosenallis led 1-9 to 0-10 at the break.

Kelly got the second half underway with a feee before his Laois team mate David Dooley replied down the other end. The game was level after the next two scores as Paddy Purcell and Kelly (free) split the posts.

The next four points were traded as Cosgrove put over two frees, while Fitzpatrick and a Kelly free scored for Rathdowney-Errill. Kelly followed up his free with two more scores to put them into the lead with 15 minutes to play.

Dooley responded with two more points to take his tally to three. Then came the Rathdowney-Errill goal as Paddy Purcell pounced on Oran Gorman who failed to rise the ball and Purcell tapped it past Stephen Kelly.

Rosenallis’ backs were to the wall for the last 10 minutes although they had an extra man. Cosgrove’s accuracy from frees showed yet again as he fired over three frees to level the sides yet again with 55 minutes played.

Jack Kelly’s free five minutes later looked to be the score that would win the game for Rathdowney-Errill, but there was to be late drama. Kelly had another chance from a free to put his side two points up, but he fouled the ball while taking it and a free was awarded to Rosenallis instead.

Rosenallis hit Rathdowney-Errill late on to score twice in added time and take the two points on offer. Cosgrove’s 12th point levelled the game before Charlie Friel scored the winner to send the Rosenallis crowd home happy.

FINAL SCORE

ROSENALLIS 1-19

RATHDOWNEY-ERRILL 1-18

SCORERS— Rosenallis: Conor Cosgrove 0-12 (0-11 frees), Brian Fitzpatrick 1-1, David Dooley 0-3, Charlie Friel, Jack Friel and Matthew Bennett 0-1 each. Rathdowney-Errill: Jack Kelly 0-9 (0-7 frees, 0-1 sideline), Paddy Purcell 1-1, Thep Fitzpatrick 0-3 (0-2 frees), Micheal Cleary and Mark Kavanagh (frees) 0-2 each, Shane Bracken 0-1,

RATHDOWNEY-ERRILL: Damian Madden; Shane Madden, Kevin O’Dea, David Poynton; Liam O’Connell, Dylan Carroll, Thep Fitzpatrick; Padraig Rafter, Paddy Purcell; Jack Kelly, Mark Kavanagh, James Ryan; Micheal Cleary, Tadhg Dowling, Jack Dowling. Subs: Shane Bracken for S Madden (Blood 11-13 mins), Eoin Bracken for J Dowling (40 mins), Shane Bracken for Poynton (42 mins), Ray Bowe for T Dowling (53 mins), Paddy McCane for Rafter (54 mins)

ROSENALLIS: Stephen Kelly; John Maher, Diarmuid Dooley, Oran Gorman; Alex Marron, Cathal C Fennell, Fiachra C Fennell; Charlie Friel, Matthew Bennett; David Dooley, Conor Cosgrove, Jimmy Hyland; Jack Friel, Brian Fitzpatrick, Paddy Keating. Subs: Joseph Shelly for C C Fennell (Blood 24-27 mins), Joseph Shelly for C C Fennell (39 mins), Sam Somers for Hyland (46 mins), Tommy Keating for Maher (Blood 45-47 mins)

Referee: Patrick Phelan (Castletown)