The team traveled to Holycross this morning to face Rathkeale, knowing that securing points was crucial for survival. They delivered a much-needed victory, completing the league double over their hosts. While it wasn’t as comfortable as the 3-0 home win in October, the result was all that mattered.

Determined to start strong after conceding early in previous matches, the lads applied pressure from the outset. In the 4th minute, TJ struck from just outside the center circle, but his effort sailed over the bar. Three minutes later, Callum capitalized on a loose pass between defenders, intercepting the ball and finishing clinically into the bottom right corner—his fourth goal in three games against today’s opponents.

Rathkeale responded with urgency, creating several chances. Darragh, deputizing for Sean, made a sharp reaction save from a deflected shot shortly after we took the lead. He was called into action again around the half-hour mark and in the 35th minute, dealing confidently with further attempts. Half-time: 0-1.

The Saints started the second half brightly. Callum tested the keeper from the edge of the box after some neat touches, followed by TJ’s well-struck half-volley from a long kick out by Darragh. PJ was unlucky not to connect with a free kick from Martin, which was put behind for a corner.

Struggling to break us down through open play, the home side switched to long balls over the top. This tactic caused some trouble, forcing Darragh into saves on the hour mark, as well as in the 65th and 70th minutes. The final 20 minutes saw both sides battling in the middle third, with neither able to maintain possession for long spells.

The final whistle was greeted with joy as we moved out of the relegation zone.