Minor Championship

Ratoath 1-10
Dunshaughlin 0-10

A wet and windy afternoon in Ratoath greeted both teams for this knockout game and while the conditions were not great the match was a cracker.

Dunshaughlin playing with the wind at their back got off the mark after two minutes to open the scoring but it was Ratoath who played the better football in the opening spell and fine points by Conor O'Sullivan in the 5th and 8th minutes edged Ratoath in front.

In the difficult conditions scores were proving hard to come by. Connell Ahearne popped over a point in the 19th minute after good work by Simon Barry. In the 21st minute a hopeful ball by Ryan O'Sullivan was strongly met by Ben McGowan who palmed to the goal. 

Dunshaughlin hit back with points in the 25th and 30th minutes to leave the home side ahead at half time.

Ratoath 1-3
Dunshaughlin 0-3

Conditions improved in the second half and the wind died a little - Ratoath again started well with scores from Conor O'Sullivan and the hardworking Simon Barry and a point in the 39th minute by Leigh Sullivan to give the home side a 6 point lead. Dunshaughlin scored next but Tom Fadden replied in the 43th minute and the home side looked in a confortable position.

However Dunshaughlin never gave up and scored the next 3 points before Fadden widened the gap to 4 again with a fine point.

Dunshaughlin kept at it and points in the 58th and 60th minutes narrowed the gap again! A fine save by Eoin O'Connell kept Ratoath in front. Ratoath pinched another point to go 3 in front again but with the ref playing 8 minutes extra time Dunshaughlin picked off a point in the 64th minute to narrow the gap to 2 again!

Ratoath stayed patient and disciplined and worked the ball down into the Dunshaughlin half where Connell Ahearne finished off the scoring with a fine point! 

Best for Ratoath were Simon Barry, Conor O'Sullivan, Ryan O'Sullivan and Ben McGowan.

They now take on favourites Na Fianna in the semi final.

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