Rangers prove their worth with battling win over shell-shocked An Ghaeltacht

The Kerryman - Wednesday July 18 2007

The result, when all is said and done it's the only thing that matters. The second game of Sunday's double header won't remembered as a great spectacle, but it will be remembered. It will be remembered for the great battling and tenacity displayed by Feale Rangers, who fronted up and paid little heed to reputation.

That An Ghaeltacht didn't play as we know they can is as much a reflection on Feale Rangers as it is on An Ghaeltacht. They will feel, however, that they could have gotten something out of this game, they did afterall only lose by a single score, but it wouldn't have been deserved - Feale Rangers were three or four points the better side, but lack a cutting edge. They'll be praying for return from injury of Moyvane's Patrick Curtin.

Right from the outset Feale Rangers showed their intent with Enda Galvin popping up for a well taken score. An Ghaeltacht, however, were looking the likelier, well on top in the possession stakes and putting the Feale Rangers defence under pressure.

Darragh Ó Sé had Gaeltacht's first shot of the day on two minutes and this was to prove indicative of much of Gaeltacht's forward play, Ó Sé kicking the ball well wide. Dara Ó Cinneide got the Westerners off the mark moments later with a well taken free before Brian Scanlon restored Feale's lead on seven minutes.

There then followed a six minute period where neither side had a shot at goal - neither team looked like taking this game by the scruff of the neck, Gaeltacht seemed to be the more creative force, but the Feale defence with Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Kieran Quirke and Brendan Guiney outstanding stood resolute.

An Ghaeltacht did get the next score through a Sean M Ó Conchúir to level matters on thirteen minutes, before an Ó Cinneide '45 took them into the lead for the first and only time in the game.

Feale Rangers then began a period of dominance that was to last pretty much for the rest of the game, but like Gaeltacht when they were in the ascendancy struggled to put scores on the board - Enda Galvin, Noel Kennelly and Brendan Guiney all hitting wides before Kennelly, through a free, levelled matters with four minutes remaining in the half. And that was how it was to remain until the break, the remainder of the half very poor quality fare.

Rangers upped their performance level considerably from the beginning of the second half, with Sean McCarthy taking a point from play in the first minute. Feale's inside men began to cause Gaeltacht's corner backs difficulties with their pace, this was evident when Brian Scanlon went on a searing run through their defence only to be pulled down by Marc Ó Sé. Noel Kennelly converted the resultant free.

Indeed Feale Rangers could have had a goal in their blistering opening to the half through Paul Galvin who with his pace burst past Rici Aghas, only to find the angle of the goal with his shot. Kennelly took another two points from frees following fouls on Scanlon and Derek Galvin. Feale were now four points up and looking good for that lead. Fergal Ó Sé had to make changes and he brought in Breandán Breathnach and Daithi MacGearailt for Rici Aghas and Eoin MacGearailt.

This seemed to steady Gaeltacht somewhat - MacGearailt's first action upon his introduction was to hit point. Still though Feale Rangers were on top and this was emphasised again with a Noel Kennelly free on the quarter hour.

By now Gaeltacht had moved Darragh Ó Sé, who was having an uncharacteristically quite game, to full-forward. This was to have a devastating effect on the game - on 18 minutes Darragh won a long ball inside, which he passed to Cathal MacGearailt. Rangers' keeper Shane Quinn burst out from his goal, but illegally foot-blocked MacGearailt. Referee Michael Curran instantly blew for the penalty. Dara Ó Cinneide doing the necessary with the minimum of fuss. Game on.

As underdogs it was absolutely vital that Feale Rangers would get the next score, which they did. Captain Eamonn Fitzmaurice pointing following a magnificent run. Gaeltacht pushed on, however, with Daithi MacGearailt taking his second of the day straight after.

When Tomas Ó Sé took a massive point from 40 yards out to level matters many felt that this would spell the end of Rangers. They were to show a gritty determination not to be beaten, however, and kept Gaeltacht scoreless for the rest of the half. They scored the winner through Sean McCarthy with a full four minutes remaining.

This was agonising for the Feale Rangers faithful, particularly as Gaeltacht continued to push forward, but ultimately they couldn't break down the Rangers defence, which must be amongst the best in Kerry.