Drumconrath/Meath Hill's ability to score goals seen them just about get past a spirited Ratoath side. Drumconrath/Meath Hill 2-6 Ratoath 0-8 Drumconrath/Meath opened strongly but had amounted 4 wides by the 5 minute when Ian Malone pointed from play. Ratoath finally got to grips with the game and by the 12 minute led 0-3 to 0-1 and looked like going on to better things when another fine point pushed them three to the good by the 15th minute. The second quarter belonged to the North Meath boys with Malone pointing after a poor kick out and Patrick Farrelly hitting a peach from distance, Malone [who along with 'Keeper Conor O'Halloran had already been on the wrong end of three final defeats in 2008 two U-14 and a recent U-13 loss] scored his third point when found in space by Tommie Rooney to level the game and soon after Niall Martin had his goal bound shot saved by the Ratoath 'Keeper Jack McGowan but the two where to come face to face soon after and this time Martin had the upper hand. A good clearance from defence from David O'Halloran found Jack Corscadden whose strong run opened up the Ratoath rearguard, Corscadden laid a neat ball off and some excellence hand passes between a number of DMH players found Martin again in a one on one with McGowan and time Martin made no mistake shooting high into the net to leave DMH deservedly a goal up at the break. Martin pointed early in the 2nd half and Ratoath got a point in reply and soon after Martin again played a major part in setting up Patrick Farrelly for The Red and Blues second goal but was injured in the process and while he battled on for awhile his influence was hampered and soon was replaced by a third U-13 Shane McCabe. With Martins influence missed Ratoath came strongly into the game and despite great work by Tommie Rooney, David OHalloran, Daniel Myles and Enda Boylan Ratoath stormed into the game and three pointed frees from Sean Sweeney by the 55th minute to leave just a goal between the sides. Indeed poor decision making in going for goals on at least two occasions could have seen the game a lot closer. The North Meath boys defended deeply and invited the Dublin Border side onto them and but for some wayward shooting and some fine Goalkeeping by Conor O'Halloran they would surely have taken the lead. DMH broke up on a rare attack in that 3rd quarter and Corscadden scored an inspirational point off an upright and while Ratoath had further chances again some wides and last ditch defending and goalkeeping kept the 4 point winning margin secure. After a great team display in which goalie Conor O'Halloran was sound, he was supported best by Enda Boylan and David O'Halloran in defence, Rooney and Corscadden had there moments at midfield while up front Ratoath found it hard to cope with the work of Patrick Farrelly and Eoin Martin whose twin Niall was a constant threat until injured while both Dara McGrath and Ian Malone in the 1st half also contributed. Drumconrath/Meath Hill - Conor O'Halloran; David Hickey, David O'Halloran; Daniel Myles, Enda Boylan, Eoin Martin; Tommie Rooney, Jack Corscadden (0-1); Patrick Farrelly (1-1), Niall Martin (1-1), Niall Yorke; Ian Malone (0-3), Dara McGrath. Subs - Shane McCabe, Stephan Marry and Edward Cassidy. Ratoath - Jack McGowan; Eoin Halpin, Conor Hughes; Eoin OBrien, Andrew Flinter, Jack Wiley; Aiden Qiugley, Adam Griffiths; Michael King, Robert Watters, Richard Timoney; Sean Sweeny and Ger Brennan. Tweet

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