Ratoath installed themselves as Intermediate hurling championship contenders with this win over a fancied Clann Na NGael side at Pairc Tailteann.

Ratoath 1-14
Clann Na nGael 2-9

Ratoath were full value for their 1-9 to 0-6 interval lead. Pat Shore opened the scoring for Clann Na nGael but Ratoath responded with three points from Padraig O'Hanrahan (2) and Daragh Kelly. Ciaran Fitzsimons and Gerry O'Sullivan tied up the game after 10 minutes. Stephen Cooper got the games opening goal and the game swung in Ratoath's favour. Kelly landed three long range points, Hanrahan (2) and another from Jack McGowan put the winners in control at the break.

Clann Na nGael had wind advantage in the second half but were dealth a blow when full back Gary Managan was sent off. Paddy Coady extended the winners lead with a brace of points before Martin Keogh brought Clann Na nGael back in to the name with a goal. With ten minutes remaining Ratoath held a 1-13 to 1-8 lead. Clann Na nGael were now putting on all the pressure and when Padraig Geraghty's point was added to by a Pat Shore goal only a point separated the teams. McGowan steadied the Ratoath ship with the games last score. His defence held firm under extreme pressure in the final moments as Clann na nGael went in search for a match winning goal.

Ratoath top Group B with maximum points from 3 game awhile Clann Na nGael have it all to do with one win from their opening 3 games.

Ratoath scorers: Padraig O'Hanrahan 0-5, Dara Kelly 0-4, Stephen Cooper 1-1, Jack McGowan and Paddy Coady 0-2 each.

Clann Na nGael scoers: Pat Shore and Martin Keogh 1-1 each, Ciaran Fitzsimons 0-3, Luke Swaine 0-2, Gerry O'Sullivan, and Paddy Geraghty 0-1 each.

Ratoath: gavin Hattie, Paddy Dowd, Paul Kirwan, Turlough O'Neill, Colly O'Riordan, darragh Kelly, Conor Ward, Sean Raffery, Ger Clarke, Stephen Cooper, Padraig O'Hanrahan, Ger Brennan, Sean O'Hanrahan, Paddy Coady, Jack McGowan.

Clann Na nGael: Darren Heaney, Eddie Dalton, Gary Managan, Jack Doherty, Matt Mullen, Gerry O'Sullivan, PJ Fallon, Caoimhin Griffin, Ciaran Fitzsimons, Sean O'Reilly, Martin Keogh, Luke Swaine, Eamonn O'Donoghue, Pat Shore, Paddy Geraghty.

RATOATH REPORT
Ratoath 1-14
Clann na nGael 2-9

Ratoath's intermediate hurlers maintained their 100 per cent record in the championship with a 3rd round win over Clann na nGael on a scoreline of 1-14 to 2-9 at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.

This result made it three from three and leaves Ratoath top of the table in Group B.

And, just like the result against Wolfe Tones, this one was fashioned the hard way in a hard-edged encounter.

A cracking goal from Stephen Cooper put Ratoath in the driving seat in the first half as they dominated with the wind at their backs. Padraig O'Hanrahan's free-taking was another feature of the game and his early free was added to by points from the impressive Darragh Kelly and Sean Laffey to make it 1-3 to 0-3 with 15 minutes gone.

A super point from Jack McGowan and further scores from Darragh and Podge helped Ratoath into a 1-10 to 0-6 lead at half-time with Ciaran O'Hanrahan and Ger Brennan also keeping the opposition defence on their toes and Ger Clarke and Sean Laffey giving the team a solid platform at midfield.

Clann na nGael though put the pressure on after the break and turned it into a real battle to the end. Paddy Coady hit two quality points to keep Ratoath in command but following a goal from the opposition full-forward, the team had to fight a brave rearguard action for the final 10 minutes.

Goalkeeper Gavin Hattie made three super saves as Clann na nGael went for broke and a further goal a few minutes from the end made for a frantic finale. But once more, the defence stood resolute, Paddy Dowd, Paul Kirwan and Turlough O'Neill leading the way in the full-back line and Collie Riordan, Darragh Kelly and Conor Ward clearing an amount of ball in the half-back line.

The sight of Podge and Jacko helping to lift the siege in their own defence right at the end said it all about a true team performance as Ratoath held on for another gutsy victory, Tommy Cooper clearing the last ball as the final whistle blew.

Ratoath: Gavin Hattie; Paddy Dowd, Paul Kirwan, Turlough O'Neill; Collie Riordan, Darragh Kelly, Conor Ward; Ger Clarke, Sean Laffey; Ciaran O'Hanrahan, Padraig O'Hanrahan, Jack McGowan; Ger Brennan, Paddy Coady, Stephen Cooper. Subs: Brian Murphy, Neil O'Dowd, Tommy Cooper

Scorers: P O'Hanrahan 0-5 (3fs), Darragh Kelly 0-4 (1f), Stephen Cooper 1-0, Jack McGowan 0-2, Paddy Coady 0-2, Sean Laffey 0-1 Tweet

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