Colleges: Ardee dethrone holders Ratoath
January 27, 2012
Evan Owens, Ardee College, and Ratoath's David Toner contest the high ball during the North Leinster Junior C final at Dunganny. TO VIEW A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS GAME CLICK HERE
Ratoath College 1-8
A last minute pointed free from Ryan Burn gave Ardee CS a hard earned win over last year's winners Ratoath College in the North Leinster Junior C football decider at Dunganny.
Ratoath started the game in whirlwind fashion. Three points on the trot from the very impressive Glen O'Reilly had last year's winners 0-3 to 0-0 ahead after ten minutes. Half foward Evan Owens managed to get Ardee on the scoreboard and this kick started their challenge. Shortly after Martin Duffy finished the ball to the Ratoath net to put his side ahead. Conor Duncan and Ryan Burn swapped points and Ardee went in at the interval ahead 1-2 to 0-4.
Within ten minutes of the second half the Louth school had the lead out to six points, 2-4 to 0-4. Evan Owens pointed twice before Conor Kerr netted to put Ardee well in control. But Ratoath were not going to give up their title that easy.
Their fightback began with points from David Toner and O'Reilly. Jason Tyndall got on the end of an O'Reilly centre to finish to the Ardee net and only a point separated the sides 2-4 to 1-6 with ten minutes left. A brace of points from Gavin McGowan had the holders ahead by one going into the last few minutes. Spurred on by the midfield pairing of Neil Reilly and Kevin Traynor, Ardee came looking for the equaliser and got it from half forward Owens. With time almost up referee Dermot Deasy awarded a free to Ardee and Ryan Burns duly despatched the ball over the bar to give his side a memorable win.
After the game Tom O'Donnell presented the North Leinster Junior C football shield to Ardee Community School captain Emmett Duff.
Ardee CS: Niall Carrey, Danny Reilly, David Carroll, Paul Taffee, Conor McCullagh, Emmett Duff,TJ Duff, Neil Reilly, Kevin Traynor, Evan Owens (0-4), Ciaran Scrivan, Ryan Rooney, Martin Duffy (1-0), Conor Kerr (1-0), Ryan Burns (0-2). Subs: Jason Monaghan, Conor Keenan
Ratoath College: Gavin King, Brian Daly, Conor Ward, Brian Murphy, Keith McCabe, Shane Clayton, Ben Newe, David Toner (0-1), Darragh Kelly, Jason Tyndall (1-0), Glen O'Reilly (0-4), Conor Duncan (0-1), Joey Wallace, Gavin McGowan (0-2), Sean O'Hanrahan. Sub: Matthew McClean
Referee: Michael Gordon Tweet
