In a day to remember for Kerry club football, their goalkeeper Shane Ryan scored 1-3 as Rathmore battled past Galbally Pearses to win the Intermediate All-Ireland title.
Having shone between the posts for Kerry in their All-Ireland triumph, Shane Ryan showed his qualities further up the pitch as he scored a crucial goal as they ran out 1-11 to 0-11 winners.
While goalkeeper on the day Kenneth O'Keefe made vital saves to keep Rathmore ahead, they showed their quality at important stages with vital scores to keep the Tyrone side out of their reach.
Speaking after their victory, Shane Ryan spoke on how his experience as goalkeeper helped him score the vital goal in today's game.
“Winning with the club is so, so special!” 👌👊
Is é Shane Ryan Laoch na hImeartha inniu!
Comhghairdeas leat! 👏
#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/wTickfws8Y— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 15, 2023
To see the red and white to my left hand side, it brings me huge pride to play with Rathmore in Croke Park, it really is the pinnacle of a player to play with club in Croke Park.
I'm just delighted for the bunch of 45 players out there in the middle of the field and the management, they've been working hard all year when myself and Paul have been away, it's just reward for their effort.
In the semi-final I got something similar to it, one of Chrissy's balls dropping short, he's was putting it into me. I'm not so sure about that, but I'm happy enough to pick up the scraps.
Winning with your club is so so special, it's deeply satisfying."
Rathmore Win Intermediate All-Ireland Title
In a tight encounter, it was Rathmore who got off to a quick start with Mark Ryan opening the scoring within the first minute.
It was a day were goalkeepers had huge performances, as O'Keefe made a crucial save after 15 minutes with the sides level at two points each to keep Galbally out.
15 nóim@rathmoregaa 0-02@GalballyPearses 0-02
An imirt ansin ach sábháil den scoth ó Kenneth O'Keefe!
Fantastic save by Kenneth O'Keefe for Rathmore! 👌
#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/XOYQByCZpE— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 15, 2023
Minutes later, it was the goalkeeper playing at corner forward who scored the only goal of the game, with Shane Ryan taking full advantage of the goalkeeper's mistake.
23 nóim@rathmoregaa 1-03@GalballyPearses 0-03
Cúl cinniúneach ó Shane Ryan le haghaidh An Ráth Mór!
A clever goal from Rathmore! 👌
#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/FZaVmJ0Slx— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 15, 2023
Further points gave them a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the interval, and they continued to keep the scoreboard ticking in the second half through scores from Shane Ryan and James Darmody.
Galbally threw everything at Rathmore in the final ten minutes to close the gap, but some stubborn defending and further saves from O'Keefe kept them out.
53 nóim@rathmoregaa 1-09@GalballyPearses 0-06
Cúilín den scoth faighte ag Ronan Nugent!
Fantastic point for Galbally Pearses from Ronan Nugent👌
#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/4KE5t0YKTW— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 15, 2023
While the gap was reduced to three points, crucial scores from Rathmore ensured they ran out as deserved winners.
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