Kiltale 4-10 Ratoath 1-09

A superb display of team hurling gave Kiltale a fully deserved victory over a Ratoath side who had beaten them well in the group stages of the competition.

While Eoghan Frayne and Sean Hughes - who both missed the group game against the same opposition - were the ones dominating the scoring, it was truly a team performance from goalkeeper Liam Boyle to corner forward Jack Brennan, every player gave his all.
The town side started the scoring, but Kiltale were playing well and soon took a lead with points from Frayne and a fantastic solo goal from Hughes who finished from a tight angle. Not long after, Evan Clarke struck with an opportunist goal with a strike off the ground into the top corner. When Conor Ryan added another goal before half time Kiltale were starting to dominate the final.

Sean Deegan had earlier come close to a goal as he batted in from a Hughes sideline. Aidan Fraher was causing the Ratoath defence headaches with intelligent runs from corner forward, ably helped by Liam Reilly's work on the 40.

The maroons continued to clock up the scores in the first half against a strong breeze and led by 3 points at half time, Eoin McCabe and the excellent Donal Matthews in his new position of wing back kept Ratoath forwards quiet while Luke Moran oozed class from centre back.

The attention the players paid to the half time team talk proved that these lads were on a mission to finish the job and they took to the field for the second half with vigor and enthusiasm - there was a point to prove after losing to Ratoath earlier in the year and every player went on to play their part.

With the wind behind them, Kiltale then started to turn the screw, Joshua Dunne was getting in front of his man every time in defence while Gavan McVann - in typical fashion - let nothing past at full back. A special word also for Conor Duffy, the forward-turned-back who was asked to do a job today in the backline and came out with flying colours.

Our only two 'on the age' players Adam Rooney and captain Conor Ryan (this is basically Kiltale's under 15 team) started to really dominate the midfield area in the second half, delivering excellent ball into Hughes and co. in the full forward line, one such move led to Sean Hughes's second goal as he pounced on a ball the Ratoath 'keeper failed to control. Eoughan Frayne - in a man-of-the-match display - continued to knock over points from play and from frees with the opposition starting to show some indiscipline in free-scoring territory.

In the end it was a comfortable win and a great way for Rooney and Ryan to finish their time at u16, he other lads can look forward to u15 league in the Autumn.

Kiltale: Liam Boyle, Joshua Dunne, Gavan McVann, Conor Duffy; Eoin McCabe, Luke Moran, Donal Matthews; Adam Rooney, Conor Ryan; Evan Clarke (1-00), Eoghan Frayne (0-09,4f), Sean Deegan; Jack Brennan, Sean Hughes (2-01), Aidan Fraher. Sub - Liam Reilly for Deegan; Deegan for McCabe.

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