Despite failing to score in the second half, Ratoath fended off a spirited Wolfe Tones challenge in this SFC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

Ratoath ……… 0-7 Wolfe Tones ….. 0-6

Wolfe Tones seemed to be in a strong position when just four points in arrears, 0-3 to 0-7, at the start of the second half with the support of the elements to come.

Ratoath resumed on the front foot, but had nothing to show for about two minutes of possession football. A quick break led to a Daniel O’Neill point.

Wing back Caolan Ward registered his second point of the game and his side’s second of the half in the 39th minute.

When Fiachra Ward pulled another point back for the ‘Tones they were just one point in arrears with 41 minutes gone.

Scores were at a premium. Around this time Cian Ward had the misfortune to pull two 45s left and wide.

Still an SFC final place seemed there for taking for the 2021 champions. The game produced no further scores.

Ratoath had five second-half wides while Wolfe Tones had one less. With the Kilberry-Oristown side finding scores difficult to come by, there was a chance that the champions might pilfer one on the break.

But for a brilliant block by corner-back Conor Sheppard, Kevin Reilly’s men might have got that score.

To their credit Ratoath hung on and maybe this experience might stand to them when they face Summerhill in the final.

Whatever advantage the elements offered, Ratoath had them in the opening half.

Gavin McGowan opened the scoring in the second minute. Daithi McGowan doubled his side’s account in the seventh minute.

Ratoath had four points on the board by 13th minute thanks to two further Daithi McGowan frees.

A Thomas O’Reilly free got Wolfe Tones motoring midway through the half. The same player was wide from 20-metre free in the 18th minute.

Eamonn Wallace played most of the first half in a sweeper role for Ratoath. In the 20th minute he pointed from play to leave it 0-5 to 0-1.

Wolfe Tones matched the holders on the scoreboard over the remainder of the half with Caolan Ward and Thomas O’Reilly scoring from play.

Ratoath’s lead was now down to two but Kevin Reilly’s men closed the half with pointed frees from Daithi McGowan and Jack Flynn to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval.

Scorers: Ratoath - Daithi McGowan 0-4 (3fs); Gavin McGowan 0-1; Eamonn Wallace 0-1; Jack Flynn 0-1 f;
Wolfe Tones - Thomas O'Reilly  0-2 (1f); Caolan Ward 0-2, Fiachra Ward 0-1 (mark); Daniel O'Neill 0-1

Ratoath - Shane Duffy; Ben Wyer, Conor McGill, Ciaran O Fearraigh; Andrew Gerrard, Gavin McGowan, Brian Daly; Jack Flynn, Ben McGowan; Cian O'Brien, Keith McCabe, Eamonn Wallace; Daithi McGowan, Bobby O'Brien, Bryan McMahon. Subs - Cian Rogers for B O'Brien (43), Padraig Byrne for McCabe (48), Joey Wallace for C O'Brien (53), Brian O'Connor for Daly (60)

Wolfe Tones - Ciaran O Gallachoir; Conor Sheppard, Shane Glynn (c), Gearoid O'Brien; Caolan Ward, Daniel O'Neill, Sean Penney; Alan Callaghan, Adam O'Neill; Niall O'Reilly, Thomas O'Reilly, Stephen Sheppard; Oisin Martin, Fiachra Ward, Saran O Fionnagain.Subs - Brughach O Fionnagain for Penney (37), Cian Ward for S Sheppard (41).

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).

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