Meath Hill 1-13 Rathkenny 1-12

Meath Hill left it late, but a superb injury-time strike from Cormac Sheehy saw them edge out Rathkenny in a gripping clash at Páirc Tailteann.

Both sides arrived knowing that a win could change the course of their season, and the intensity was clear from the off. The game opened at breakneck speed, littered with turnovers, before Keith Curtis pointed Rathkenny into an early lead. Gary Breslin replied instantly for the Hill after a clever pass from Sheehy, but Curtis kept Rathkenny in front with two more points before blasting to the net after a defensive lapse. Meath Hill refused to fold. Breslin’s accuracy kept them in touch, and McMahon’s sharp finish to the net after plucking a high ball turned the tide. Breslin added a free to send Meath Hill into the break with momentum.

Half-time: Meath Hill 1-07 Rathkenny 1-04

Curtis was Rathkenny’s go-to man on the restart, hitting a flurry of scores, including two valuable two-pointers that swung the game back their way. Breslin again answered from frees, while McGrath and Sheehy battled ferociously to keep Rathkenny within arm’s reach. With Rathkenny holding a narrow advantage and the clock running down, Meath Hill needed something special. Slavin and the Carolans dug in at the back to keep hope alive before, deep into injury time, the Hill mounted one last push. Rathkenny were dispossessed, the ball was worked patiently across the pitch, and when it landed with Sheehy on the edge of the arc, he delivered a brilliant score to win it at the death.

Meath Hill look ahead to a relegation play-off with Simonstown Gaels on September 12th in Castletown at 8pm.

Meanwhile, their reserves face Walterstown this Saturday at home (4pm), knowing victory will secure a semi-final on their own turf.

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