Leinster U16: Ratoath through to semi-final
March 07, 2015
Ratoath's Tom Fadden
Ratoath hosted Kilcock Gaa Club for the final game in the league stages of the Leinster Under Club Championship on Thursday night.
Ratoath 1-14 Kilcock 0-6
Ratoath elected to play into the wind in the first half and got off to a great start when Alex Neville pointed following a strong run. Ratoath continued to put on the pressure with Neville adding the second point of the game with a superb point following some quick passing between the Ratoath forward line. Ratoath added two more points, one from the boot of Tom Fadden with a free and the fourth a well taken point by Connell Ahearne.
At this stage, it looked like Ratoath were going to run away with the game, but a tactical change by Kilcock and the strengthening wind saw the play switch to the Ratoath half, and is often the case it proved difficult to get out of our half against the wind.
Kilcock scored some nice points from the 15th minute and also kicked a number of wides - 3 points between the 20th and 22nd minute had Kilcock back in the game.
At this stage the boys realised they were in for a tough time and the game became very competitive with some heavy hits and challenges from both sides. Ratoath won a ball from a kick out and a fantastic move involving several players led to a Leigh Sullivan score that edged Ratoath back in front and 2 minutes later John Walsh scored following a great break to widen the gap to two.
Kilcock weren't finished though and made it a one point game with a well worked score of their own right on the half time whistle. Half time: Ratoath 0-6 v Kilcock - 0-5
Despite the strong wind, it was Kilcock who started the brighter in the second half. The Ratoath full back line of Daragh McPartlin, Cormac Butler and Brendan Foster had to work very hard to keep Kilcock out and they did this manfully! They forced Kilcock into 3 wides and this was pivotal at this stage!
Eventually, Ratoath lifted the siege, with Andrew Gerrard winning clean ball from a kick out and moving the ball swiftly into the forward line - Tom Fadden notched a point against the run of play. Alex Neville scored his 3rd point a few minutes later and though Kilcock scored a point immediately after this, Ratoath were now getting on top. Leigh and Connell added two more points and Peter Barry also got on the score sheet before Tom Fadden added a goal and 3 points to round off the score at full time.
Ratoath 1-14 v Kilcock 0-6
There were a number of very good performances but those that should be highlighted;Daragh McPartlin, Brendan Foster, Ryan O'Sullivan and Alex Neville.
This was a very hard game for the boys and they nursed some bruises afterwards but they stuck to the task and came through very well. The reward is a Leinster Club Semi Final against local rivals Dunboyne on Saturday at home.
Rath To abu!
