Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-14 Ratoath 3-8

Don/Ash and Ratoath could not be separated even after extra time in this thrilling Minor League Div 1 semi final at Ashbourne.

The home side playing with a strong breeze got off to a perfect start with a Shane Rae goal in the fourth minute and led at half time by 1 - 8 to 1 - 1 with two points each from Stephen Carton, Stephen Fenton and, Leo Reilly and one each from Shane Rae and corner back Fergal Heffernan.

Second half points from Peadar Farrell, Stephen Carton and Leo Reilly were cancelled out by similar scores by Ratoath before the visitors hit two goals then another point to level the game. A Stephen Carton free edged Don/Ash ahead but on the stroke of full time Ratoath equalized to send the game to extra time. 

After giving their all over sixty minutes players from both sides were going down with cramp during extra time as Leo Reily and Conor Carton scored a point each for Don /Ash in the first half and Ratoath replied with two in the second half to force a replay.

Great credit must be given to all the players on both sides who contributed to this exciting game played in a sporting manner and to the Referee for his handling of it.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: Sean Hogan, Aaron McLoughlin, Alan Murtagh, Fergal Heffernan (0-1), Dylan Cassidy, Kenny Crowley, Chris Twomey, Leo Reilly (0-4), Paddy Murtagh, James Crumlish, Stephen Fenton (0-2), Peadar Farrell (0-1), Shane Rae (1-1), Stephen Carton (0-5), Luke Wilson 
Subs: Colm O'Toole for Luke Wilson.

Ratoath Report

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-14 Ratoath 3-8 (after extra time)

Bank Holiday Monday saw the meeting of near neighbours in the Division 1 league semi-final. Donaghmore Ashbourne came into the game as strong favourites and with home advantage and a strong wind at their backs it was always going to be a tough start for Ratoath. Before the game, there was a minutes silence in respect of Dominic McLoughlin, Grandfather of Andrew Gerrard who passed away that morning. Our thoughts are with the  Gerrard and McLoughlin families.

The first half was very much a one way affair, certainly for the first 20 minutes. Ratoath struggled to get the ball out of their half and when they did, they found it hard to keep the ball in the Donaghmore Ashbourne half. Don Ash opened the scoring with a fine goal, catching the Ratoath defence flat footed. They tagged on several points to open a big lead before Tom Fadden scored a goal against the run of play. This was followed by a really fine point by John Walsh, who had a very good game, and this seemed to settle the Ratoath men. Half time arrived and Don/Ash were 7 points ahead - 1-8 to 1-1 and were very good value for this lead.

But now Ratoath had the wind so were we going to see a turnaround? It didn't look that way early on as Donaghmore Ashbourne picked off the first two points of the half. But Ratoath were starting to get into the game and without really getting on top, they clawed their way into the game. Two further goals from Tom Fadden, who was outstanding, were critical and gave Ratoath the chance of causing an upset. Fadden and Conor Cooley were giving the Don Ash full back line a hard time and Leigh Sullivan and John Walsh were very busy out the field and linking well with Ryan Kelly and Connell Ahearne who were performing well in the half back line.

Mid-field was also starting to make an impact and the rotating midfield of Ben McGowan, Luke Farrell and Daragh Phillips all contributed well and were very well supported by Andrew Gerrard who never stopped running! 

In the end both teams had chances to win the game in regular time but it seemed appropriate that extra time would be called upon to separate the two teams.

Ratoath played with the wind in the first half of extra time, but surprisingly, it was Don Ash who took the lead and edged two points ahead after the first ten minutes. Ratoath seemed inspired by this and they notched two points to tie the game up again. Ratoath finished strongly and had a chance with a long distance free but the strong wind proved too much and the ball drifted wide! 80 minutes couldn't separate the two sides and a highly entertaining and sporting game finished with both sides flat out on their feet!

This Ratoath team has come along way. Having won Division 2 under 17 in December they have met the challenge of division 1 football head on. Even at that, the team has been beset with injury and obviously many of the squad are facing leaving certificate shortly - so this has been an exceptional run. Hopefully they can take another step forward!

The replay has to be scheduled but is likely to be this weekend in Ratoath!

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