Division 1 Under 13 title for Ratoath

Ratoath 3-8 Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-5

Dunsany was the venue for the Division 1 under 13 final between neighbours Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne.

A strong wind blew across the pitch for the entire game but this didn't prevent both sides putting on a very good show for the huge crowd that turned up.

Ratoath got off to the best of starts with Jason Farrell netting inside the first minute. The first half was a tense affair as both sides probed for openings and the wind made score taking difficult. Cian Maher and Gavin O'Neill were working hard for Ratoath in the middle of the field and keeper Sam Coughlan consistently found Tiarnan Ahearne on the wing with his kick outs thus nullifying the height advantage of the Donaghmore team in mid field. Both teams moved the ball well and both sets of backs were competitive in the tackle and in blocking. In the full back line Captain Ruairi Coulter and Killian Cahill led by example in this regard and won some crucial turnover ball. The half back led by Luke Newe with Michael Gaughan and Tiarnan Ahearne were resolute in their defence and stopping Donaghmore getting any foothold in the Ratoath half of the field. Cian Kelly came on just before half time when Killian Cahill was unlucky to receive a Black card.

Both sides could only manage 2 points each in the remainder of the first half - with Ratoath's scores coming from Jack Flynn and Adam Clarke both of whom had covered loads of ground in the half. The half time score was ratoath 1-2 Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-2

Alan Cooley took his charges to the dressing room for the half time talk and with county player Eamon Wallace urging the team on Ratoath came out fully charged up for the second half. They got off the mark quickly with points coming from Flynn, and Adam Clarke, with Conor Eiffe buzzing around in the forward line and Aaron O'Neill winning good ball down the right hand side, Ratoath began to get on top. Paul Tierney had come on to add a bit of steel to the Ratoath team and did very well at an important time.

Cian Maher now enjoying a bit more space after being switched into Centre half forward scored the vital second goal that put light between the two teams. 

Donaghmore Ashbourne continued to press on but in the main the Ratoath back line remained solid. Ashbourne were rewarded with a goal from Dawson to claw back some ground but Ratoath were still winning key balls around the pitch and were taking their point chances better than their opponents. Cian Kelly epitomised the Ratoath resolve with a fine shoulder (that was reminiscent of Cork legend, Diarmuid 'The Rock' O'Sullivan!) winning a vital possession before the ball being worked up the field with a sweeping passing move to Fionn Murphy and he capped off the scoring with an emphatic finish to the net!

Ciaran Flynn, Chairman of Meath Juvenile Committee, complimented both sides on a very sporting game and the quality of their football particularly given the windy conditions. Ruairi Coulter accepted the trophy on behalf of the Ratoath team and thanked Donaghmore Ashbourne for the game. Compliments were also paid to the Ratoath coaches, Alan Cooley, Eamon Wallace, Kevin Flynn, Barney O'Neill and Tom O'Neill. The team were also delighted to see members of the Intermediate squad come along and support them. Joey Wallace, Brain McMahon and Brian Power came along to support and work as 'Maor Uisce' for what will probably be a number of future team mates! 

And last but not least, compliments also to the strength and conditioning coach, Derek Tierney for getting the boys up to a level of fitness that helped them come through some tough tests!

Best for Donaghmore/Ashbourne:- Killian Hogan, Dylan Rooney, David Carr & Dave Keenan

Best for Ratoath :- Number 1-17 Fantastic Team Performance

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