Ratoath   4-7   Simonstown   2-9

These two unbeaten teams met on Monday night, in perfect conditions, under lights in Simonstown. The 60 odd minutes of football provided the small crowd with great entertainment. As the score line suggests this was a tight affair and the game was in the balance right to the end.

Ratoath got off to the perfect start, winning the ball from the throw in and quickly moving it into Connell Ahearne in the half forward line and he smashed home a shot to the net to open the scoring. Ratoath were on top for the first few minutes of the game and could have added a few more scores. However, it was Simonstown who scored next getting off the mark with a nice point in the 5th minutes.

Simonstown were now into their stride. They are a very fit outfit and their movement around the park caused Ratoath trouble. Frank Cullen and Conor Ahern in particular were first to the ball while Blessed Ojororo in mid field ran strongly at Ratoath for most of the evening. As the first half wore on Simonstown started to get on top and Ryan Kelly and Peter Barry were both yellow carded as they tried to deal with the surging runs of Cullen and Ahern. Ratoath's John Walsh was having a great game and made some fine interceptions at key times. Alex Neville proved a good outlet for Ratoath in the first half and was the best of the Ratoath forward unit in this period. Following a hopeful ball from midfield, Neville scored a goal against the run of play in the 8th minute and while Ojororo pointed from a free shortly afterwards, Andrew Gerrard added a goal to give Ratoath a big cushion at this stage.

Simonstown added points in the 12th and 14th minutes before Jack O'Brien scored Ratoath's first point.

In the 17th minute Simonstown netted to get back into the game and five minutes later another goal, this time from Ojororo, following a great solo run, levelled things up! Simonstown edged ahead with a point in the 23rd minute only for Ratoath to score two quick fire points just on half time to take a one point lead into the second half.

Everybody, players and spectators alike, needed to catch a breath at this stage!

Half time: Simonstown 2-5           Ratoath 3-3

Ratoath came out strong after half time and Ahearne and Leigh Sullivan were becoming more prominent around the middle of the park with Andrew Gerrard also coming to the fore! John Walsh continued where he left off in the first half and made some great tackles and blocks and won endless amounts of loose ball. The Ratoath backline were coping better with the Simonstown movement and Captain, Ryan Kelly was getting to grips with Frank Cullen.  However, scores were hard to come by and the sides traded 2 points each over the next 15 minutes with O'Brien scoring 1 peach from the right hand touchline.. An Andrew Gerrard goal on the 45 minute proved crucial and a Ryan O'Sullivan point in the 48th minute gave Ratoath breathing space.

There was still time for some excitement though - first Peter Barry received a second yellow for a mistimed tackle on Conor Ahern and Ratoath were reduced to 14 men. Martin Guerrero came on for Ratoath and picked up Ahern and did a good job.

Ratoath were awarded a penalty after O'Brien was fouled when through on goal. However, Sullivans penalty was really well saved by the Town keeper and the home side cleared their lines!

The last minutes of the game were frantic - Ahearne and Sullivan won some lovely ball in the air when Ratoath were under pressure. Simonstown scored two points from Ahern and McEvoy to get back within 3 but Alex Neville finished the scoring with a well taken after a good passing move.

The final play of the game saw the two captains compete for a ball around the 45 - Ryan Kelly managed to win it from Cullen  and that a Simonstown attack. The ref blew his whistle to end a very memorable and sporting game.

There is very little between these two teams and expect to see them both in the later stages of the Championship.

Best for Simonstown - Ahern, Cullen, McEvoy and Ojororo

Best for Ratoath - Walsh, Neville, Sullivan, Gerrard and Ahearne
 

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