Ratoath CS advanced to the North Leinster Post Primary Senior Football 'C' final after this pulsating win over Ardee CS in the Louth Centre of Excellence at Darver

Ratoath CS 1-17 Ardee CS 4-5

Ardee raced into an early lead and with their forward unit causing all sorts of trouble for the Meath team they led 4-1 to 1 point after about 15 minutes. At that stage it looked like there was only going to be one winner but Ratoath stuck to their task and some positional switches stemmed the tide of the game.

Ratoath eventually settled and started to take their points and kept the scoreboard ticking over. He move of Daithi (David) McGowan into the middle of the pitch at half time was significant and he hlped Ratoath win ball around the middle of the pitch where they had been struggling. He also scored 2 super points at crucial times.

In the second half Andrew Gerrard came into the game and Ratoath were able to feed the ball into a dangerous full forward line where the introduction of Meath Under 17 player Nathan Dunne was also having an impact. Meath minor, Connell Ahearne was in great form and ended the game with a haul of 1-9. There was also significant scores from John Walsh and Sean Johnston and these helped Ratoath into a two point lead.

However, Ardee were awarded a penalty near the end of the game. Daragh McPartlin stood tall and made a fantastic save to keep Ratoath in front. Ratoath scored a point from the breakaway and the game finished Ratoath CS 1-17 Ardee CS 4-5.

The final is scheduled for Saturday the 28th of January and Ratoath will be hoping that the broken finger suffered by Ahearne has recovered in time for him to play.

Best for Ratoath: McGowan, Ahearne, McPartlin and Padraig Byrne

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