Na Fianna 2-12 Ratoath 3-10

With several of the Meath Under 16 team who beat Wicklow on Monday night in the Gerry Reilly Cup lining out, this was always going to be a competitive game to start the summer league schedule with.

On a positive note, it was great to see both Ryan Kelly, Ratoath and Sean Martin Na Fianna return from lengthy injuries to take their places on the bench. We wish both continued recovery.

Na Fianna got off the mark first and looked the more composed team throughout the first half. Goals from Leigh Sullivan and Tom Fadden had Ratoath in front early on against the run of play but Na Fianna were taking the points well  and when they scored a goal on 20 minutes the game was tied.

Connell Ahearne scored a point for Ratoath to edge them in front and a well taken Andrew Gerrard goal widened the gap further. Na Fianna kept at it though and a couple of quality points and a rather fortunate Jack McNally goal gave Na Fianna a deserved one point lead at the break.

Ratoath were unfortunate to lose Andrew Gerrard to injury at half time, but his replacement Jack O'Brien was to play a pivotal role in the second half.

The second half was equally competitive and with the sides trading points tensions were high and there was still only one point in it after 50 minutes. Na Fianna then widened the gap with two well worked points and it looked like the home team were going to take the spoils. Kelly and Martin had both entered the fray at half time and had a right tousle between them. It surely won't be long before they are both back in the county set up!

Ratoath kept fighting and with Declan Waters winning quality ball in midfield and Ahearne playing some good ball into the forward line, Ratoath edged back into it. Points from Leigh Sullivan, Ahearne (2) and Tom Fadden put them in from by a point before a fine Jack O'Brien finish after good work by Pierce Butler gave the visitors a 2 point lead going into injury time. Na Fianna scored next to leave just one in it but unfortunately for them they missed a last gasp free to tie things up.

This match was played in very warm conditions and in good spirit by two sides who know one another well.

Best for Ratoath: Ahearne, Sullivan, Waters, John Walsh, Simon Barry, Cormac Butler and Ryan O'Sullivan

Best for Na Fianna: Jack McNally, Daniel Devine, Sean Coffey, Kean Flynn

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