Ratoath ..... 2-15
Trim ........... 2-14

Ratoath turned six-point second-half deficit into a memorable win over Trim in this entertaining Ted Murtagh SHC round five clash at Pairc Tailteann on Monday night.

The outcome mean promoted Ratoath advance to a quarter-final meeting with Kildalkey while Trim exit, having needed only a draw to advance.

A James Toher free left Trim 2-10 to 0-10 to the good after 38 minutes. Ratoath outscored them by 2-5 to 0-4 thereafter and were deserving winners.

As well as being an influential figure, Darragh Kelly posted 1-8 for Ratoath. His goal came from a 41st minute 20-metre free that left just two points in it, 1-11 to 2-10.

Playing towards the town end on a damp overcast evening, Trim hit the front inside the opening minute through Neil Heffernan's point.

Within two minutes Darragh Kelly (free) levelled matters. Trim responded with four points on the spin to leave it 0-5 to 0-1 after eight minutes. Alan Douglas got the sequence going. James Toher (free), Luke Moran and Heffernan also contributed to the quartet of scores.

Ratoath rallied to be on level terms, 0-6-all, by the 17th minute. It was the second time the scores were tied. They were level once more in the opening half, when Sean O'Hanrahan posted their only score from play in the first-half. The number 12 got a touch to a Kelly free from inside his own half.

That levelled matters for the third and ultimately final time.

Neil Heffernan was Trim's main scoring threat and posted 1-6 from play. His goal left his side 1-7 to 0-7 ahead after 22 mintues. The team in red and white kicked-on in the run-in to half-time.

Heffernan and Alan Douglas were central to a great move that ended with Sean McGee netting to leave it 2-7 to 0-8 after 25 minutes.

The sides exchanged further points before the interval which arrived with Trim leading by 2-8 to 0-9. They increased their lead from the restart with Toher placing Heffernan for the first score after the change of ends.

Kelly sole point from play put a small dent in the deficit in the 41st minute. An infusion of 2-3 in six minutes set Ratoath on their way to a memorable win.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Ciaran O'Rourke, James Andrews, Colm McGrath; Ger Dwane, Ryan Andrews, Dimmy Higgins; Sean McGee (1-2), James Toher (0-4 fs); Alan Douglas (0-1), Luke Moran (0-1), Damien McGee; Ciaran Joyce, Neil Heffernan (1-6), Mikey Cullen. Subs -

Ratoath - Gearoid Crowley; Paddy Dowd, Brian Murphy, Sean McCann; Cormac Butler, Darragh Kelly (1-8, 1-6fs. 1 65), Conor Ward; Bobby O'Brien (0-1), Jack McGowan (0-1), Ben McGowan (0-1), Conor McGill (1-0), Sean O'Hanrahan (0-1); Niall Murphy, Colm O'Riordan, Tom Fadden (0-1). Subs - Conleth McLarnon (0-2) for O'Riordan (39), Sean Keogh for N Murphy (41).

Referee - Bernard Heaney (Clann na nGael)

Tweet

Most Read Stories