Stamina was central to Ratoath's merited David & George Grey JHC2 final win over Kiltale at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.

Ratoath  0-15
Kiltale  0-11

Scores were tied seven times before Ratoath's second string side finished the better to overcome Kiltale's third team.

A 44th minute point from the right wing from full-forward and co-selector Roger Casey made it 0-10 to 0-9 in the 44th minute. Ratoath outscored Kiltale's third team by 0-5 to 0-2 from there to the end.

At full-time Ratoath had seven scorers to Kiltale's four. The experienced PJ Walsh accounted for seven of the runners-up's scores while sub Anthony Farrelly was the only other player in maroon to score more than once.

Another positive feature of the contest was the need for just one yellow card, Ratoath's Stephen Gorman in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Kiltale's third team made the early going with the experienced PJ Walsh leading the way the men in maroon were 0-3 to 0-1 to the good after 15 minutes.

Points in quick succession from Phil Lanigan (free) and Roger Casey - both members of the team's management - levelled matters for the second time by the 17th minute.

Ratoath ensured parity for the third time with one of the scores of the game in the 22nd minute when Paul McDonnell pointed at the town end. He completed a move started by Sean Laffey and continued by Conleth McLarnon and Eoghan Mulcahy.

Kiltale moved two points clear by the 25th minute with Walsh's fifth score followed by a fine effort from Mark McCormack

While Kiltale's wide count reached six by the break (to Ratoath's two), Ratoath closed out the half with three scores on the bounce, from midfielder Stephen Gorman, Laffey (65) and in the last action of the half Paul McDonnell.

It put Ratoath in front for the first time and the men in blue and gold led by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break. Kiltale regained the lead with three minutes of resumption through sub Anthony Farrelly and Walsh (free).

Ratoath finished the stronger having regained the lead in the 44th minute, 0-10 to 0-9, and remained in front to the end to deservedly collect the Aidan Foran Cup.

Ratoath - Gavin Hattie; James Duffy (C), Paddy Cummins, James O'Brien; Niall Murphy, Sean Laffey (0-2 1f, 1 65), Keith O'Brien; Alex Coakley, Stephen O'Gorman (0-1); Conleth McClarnon (0-3, 2fs), Aaron McDonnell (0-1), Eoghan Mulcahy; Phil Lanigan (0-3, 2fs), Roger Casey (0-2), Paul McDonnell (0-2). Subs -  Brian Murphy for N Murphy (35), Colm O'Riordan for Cummins (44), Mark Phelan (0-1) for Mulcahy (44).

Kiltale - Liam Gilsenan; Damien Cleere (0-1 f), Brian Reilly, Shane Brown; Kyle Benson, Damien Dixon, Alan Donnelly; Mark McCormack (C) (0-1), Conor McNally; James Weldon, Donal Smith, Darren Brennan; PJ Walsh (0-7, 5fs), Andrew Jackson, Cathal Ryan. Subs - Brian O'Reilly for Jackson (ht), Anthony Farrelly (0-2) for C Ryan (ht), Barry Dardis for Brennan (bs 42-44), Barry Dardis for Smith (48), Sean Ryan for Dixon (51).

Referee - Paddy Melia (Trim)

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