Wolfe Tones 0-10 Ratoath 3-9

Ratoath were clear winners on a perfect night for football thanks to their three goal tally even though Tones were well in contention up to the concession of a goal in the second minute after the interval. The Tones defence had been in control of the ball but somehow managed to gift a goal chance and while David Nolan initially made a fine save he was helpless to prevent the rebound hitting the net. Nolan had a good night between the posts and made a number of excellent saves to keep the Ratoath men at bay.

This score was followed inside a minute by the dismissal of Sarán Ó Fionnagáin on a second yellow. This double blow left Tones trailing by 2  06 to 0 07 and looking unlikely to salvage anything from the game as they has also lost county player Thomas O Reilly who retired injured just before half time. A long period ensued without a score for either team before Ratoath wrapped it up with their third goal of the evening as Tones pushed men forward, leaving them vulnerable on the break. Tones created a couple of goal chances late on with Stephen Sheppard’s goal effort saved by the Ratoath keeper while Fiachra Ward had a punched effort hit the crossbar yielding a point rather than the much needed goal. Substitute Gary Mc Fadden hit a fine point from distance while the only other Tones’ score of the half was a Cian Ward free.

 The first half had seen both teams play some very enterprising football with Wolfe Tones rather unlucky to be in arrears at half time as Ratoath’s goal followed an unforced error in the Tones defence. Sarán O Fionnagain registered three points from play, Niall O Reilly two while Cian Ward completed the first half scoring for the Tones. Half time score Wolfe Tones 0 07 Ratoath 1 06.

This defeat wraps up the adult season for Wolfe Tones and it was a season that had promised so much given their impressive form of last season which saw them win the A League and U21 titles. However they failed to find consistency throughout the season and were unlucky to have a number key personnel out of commission including captain Niall Mc Loughlin as the season drew to a close. Three of the team Dan O Neill, Thomas O Reilly and Shane Glynn saw championship action for the Meath Senior team and hopefully the experience gained with the county team will boost the club in the coming season. That along with a clean bill of health from the “walking wounded” would leave the club optimistic about the challenges of the upcoming campaign.

Wolfe Tones: David Nolan, Conor Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Brughach O Fionnagáin, Daniel O Neill, Éanna O Kelly Lynch, Éanna Harrington, Thomas O Reilly, Alan Callaghan, Niall O Reilly (0  02), Fiachra Ward (0 01), Padraic Diamond, Cian Ward (0 03), Sarán O Fionnagáin (0 03), Stephen Sheppard. Subs: Thomas Blaney for Thomas O Reilly(28), Alan Lynam for Padraic Diamond (HT), Gearóid O Brien for Brughach O Fionnagáin (45) Gary Mc Fadden (0  01) for Niall O Reilly (45),

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