Mattock Rangers Power Past O’Raghallaighs to Reach Intermediate Championship Semi-Final

CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship

Quarter Final | At Páirc Baile Fiach, Hunterstown

Mattock Rangers 3-18 O’Raghallaighs 3-9

Mattock Rangers produced a commanding performance to see off O’Raghallaighs by 9 points, building a substantial half-time lead before comfortably seeing out the contest on Sunday evening at Hunterstown.

They advance to the Intermediate Championship Semi-Final, where they join Geraldines and St Brides. Though, Mattock will hope to have the services of their most potent weapon in Liam Flynn who is side-lined due to injury.

Mattock made the perfect start, with Ben McKenna opening with a two-pointer before Oisin McKenna found the net inside nine minutes after Sean Flynn played a good ball in. Joshua Moore got O’Raghallaighs on the scoreboard, but Mattock continued to dominate, with McKenna and Cathal Fleming adding scores.

Sean Flynn then struck for Mattock’s second goal in the 21st minute, putting them 2-4 to 0-1 ahead. O’Raghallaighs responded through Harry Devitt and Ruairi Moore, but further Mattock scores from Oisin McKenna, Rob Holmes and Jack Thompson saw them take a commanding lead into the break.

Half Time – Mattock Rangers 2-7 O’Raghallaighs 0-3

Mattock immediately extended their advantage after the restart, with Flynn adding a point before Fleming found the net to put 14 points between the sides after a powerful individual run.

O’Raghallaighs finally found some attacking momentum, with Kyle McElroy and Ben Rogan both finding the net in quick succession to reduce the deficit and give some hope of a comeback.

However, Mattock remained in control and responded through Flynn, Jason Condon, Oisin McKenna and Jack Thompson before Brendan Lacey added another.

Rogan’s second goal gave O’Raghallaighs some hope, followed by points from Ruairi Moore and McElroy, but Mattock continued to find scores at the other end.

Fleming, Thompson and McKenna all added to the Mattock tally, while O’Raghallaighs responded through Moore, Rogan, John Horan and McElroy.

Fleming added another before O’Raghallaighs were awarded a penalty when Kyle McElroy was dragged down by Rob Holmes who was shown a black card. Although, Collon’s netminder Stephen Smith got down to deny McElroy from the spot.

Substitute Eoin McCloskey put the finishing touch on an impressive Mattock performance in injury time. In another huge boost for Gus Flynn’s side, former county panellist Aaron O’Brien returned off the bench after an extended period traveling.

Full Time – Mattock Rangers 3-18 O’Raghallaighs 3-9

Man of the Match – Oisin McKenna (Mattock Rangers)

A standout performance from Oisin McKenna, who contributed to a potent Mattock Rangers attack and finished the game with a fine personal tally of 1-3.

Man of the Match Oisin McKenna of Mattock Rangers

Mattock Rangers team: Stephen Smith; Rian Hickey, Shane Maguire, Ben Quaile; Brendan Leacy (0-1), Terry Donegan, Tom Grimes; Jason Condon (0-1), Rob Holmes (0-1); Ben Watters, Ben McKenna (0-3, 1tp), Jack Thompson (0-3); Cathal Fleming (1-3, 1f), Sean Flynn (1-2), Oisin McKenna (1-3).

Subs: Daire Englishby for Brendan Leacy 43 mins, Adrian Reid for Ben Watters 45 mins, Aaron O’Brien for Jason Condon 51 mins, Eoin McCloskey (0-1) for Jack Thompson 59 mins.

O’Raghallaighs team: Connor Browne; Conor Higgins, Stephen Murphy, Pearse Brannigan; Olan Walshe, Conor McGinty, Danny Morgan; Eoin Moore, Daniel Reilly; Barry Finegan, Ruairi Moore (0-3, 1f), Harry Devitt (0-1); John Horan (0-1), Kyle McElroy (1-2, 2f), Ben Rogan (2-1).

Subs: Joshua Moore (0-1) for Daniel Reilly 4 mins, Senan McGinty for Barry Finegan 43 mins, Ben Smyth for John Horan 53 mins.

Referee – Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets)