In a gripping Division 1 Under 19 final, Ratoath managed to come through after extra time and defeat Dunboyne.

Ratoath 2-15  Dunboyne 1-15

After a tense start, Ratoath were to be the dominant team in the first half. As both teams sought to get a measure of one another, the probing runs of Adam Clarke down the right flank were to provide Ratoath with decent opportunities. An early Connell Ahearne free was cancelled out by a Dunboyne point after 11 minutes and Dunboyne added another point on the 13th minute to edge ahead.

A good Ratoath move down the right flank saw Adam Clarke burst through and fire a shot to the roof of the net for the first major of the game. Ratoath appeared to be getting the upper hand and Jack Flynn added a point after 16 minutes to widen the gap further. Dunboyne got a point back on the 18th minute.

Connell Ahearne then added a point from play and this was followed by a stunning long range effort from Daithi McGowan. Daithi followed this with a fine converted 45 to leave Ratoath 5 ahead. Dunboyne then enjoyed a dominant period but a couple of wides were to prove costly. They did add a point on the 27th minute. Clarke was taken down in the 28th minute and Cian Rogers converted and then Tiarnan Ahearne was fouled and McGowan added his third from the free from a difficult angle. Daragh Nolan notched a point on the stroke of half time to keep Dunboyne in touch and with something to fight for in the second half.

Half Time: Ratoath 1-7  Dunboyne 0-5

Ratoath got the best possible start to the second half when Jack Flynn netted after some frantic defending by the Dunboyne backs. Dunboyne were to prove they were made of stern stuff over the next 6 minutes in which they scored a goal and 3 points. The gap was now 2 points and Ratoath were rocked. A Cian Rogers point provided a little respite but Dunboyne responded with two points of their own leaving only a point in it. Connell Ahearne scored from a free again to put two between the sides and the tension on the side-lines increased. Both sides were making changes and Ratoath seemed to lose their shape. Dunboyne notched two further points as the final whistle approached to tie the game up and send the match to extra time. Dunboyne had been the better team in the second half and Ratoath were grateful to still have a chance of taking the title.

Ratoath 2-9  Dunboyne 1-15

Extra Time was called and the break post the full time whistle gave both teams a chance to regroup. Dunboyne scored first in ET but a pointed free by Connell Ahearne levelled things up. Cian Rogers added a free from the left side and Dunboyne added a point of their own to level things again. Sean Johnson got his first score to put Ratoath a point up and Andrew Gerrard added his first to leave Ratoath 2 points up at half time in Extra Time.

Tiarnan Ahearne was rewarded for some fine work with a well taken point to edge Ratoath further in front but Dunboyne pulled another score back with a well pointed Daragh Nolan free. More good work down the left flank by Tiarnan Ahearne opened up play for Daithi McGowan to add another fine point 9 minutes into the second half of extra time - putting 3 points between the team again. Dunboyne now needed a goal. A free out around the 45 was dropped perfectly into the box, Daragh McPartlin initially fumbled but then recovered well with a brave dive and gather and a clearance. This was followed by the referees whistle and great relief by Ratoath players, supporters and management.

Final score: Ratoath 2-15  Dunboyne 1-15

Brian Kelly presented Ratoath Captain Ryan Kelly with the trophy. Ryan was gracious in his speech complementing the Dunboyne players on their spirit and wishing them the best in their senior careers.

There were many good performances on both sides in what turned out to be a high quality game. For Ratoath youngsters Adam Clarke and Tiarnan Ahearne were prominient and Cormac Butler and Daithi McGowan gave very strong performances - but at the end of the night it was a massive team performance that was needed and that was what we got.

Ratoath: Daragh McPartlin; Peter Barry, Cormac Butler, Sean Brazil; Cian Kelly, Ben Wyer, Ryan Kelly; Daithi McGowan (0-4), Andrew Gerrard (0-1); Jack Flynn (1-1), Connell Aherne (0-4), Cian Rogers (0-3); Tiarnan Ahearne (0-1), Tom Fadden, Adam Clarke (1-0).

Subs: Sam Coughlan, Simon Barry, Cathal Sherlock, Harry Dalchian, Sean Johnson (0-1), Pierce Butler, Adam Whelan, Fionn Murphy, Ruairi Coulter, Adam Dunne, Shane McGoldrick, Reese Quinn, Shane Duggan.

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