Ratoath 2-17 Kildalkey 1-16

After a summer of good weather heavy rain was what we got for Saturday evening’s must win game between reigning champions Ratoath and Kildalkey on Saturday evening at Kiltale. Conditions were slippy which left ball handling hard for both teams but they served up an entertaining game with Ratoath getting a four point win to keep their hopes of three-n-a-row alive but only after a stern test by the village side.

The first half cagey as both teams went point for point with Nicky Potterton on his game from frees and Paddy Conneely on song hitting some lovely points from play for Kildalkey it was 0-6 each after 20 minutes. Podge Hanrahan pounced for a goal after a cross over pass from the left wing to give his team an advantage and soon after a turnover by Ratoath left Brian McMahon in for a batted goal to put his team in a good position. However, Cian Colhoun collected a pass from Gary Kelly at the other end to rifle to the net for Kildalkey to leave the score at halftime Ratoath 2-9 Kildalkey 1-8 

Conor and Evan Fitzgerald were introduced for Kildalkey for the second half but Ratoath struck for points to extend their lead.

Conneely then hit his fifth point of the day and Potterton continued to chip over the frees but Ratoath always seemed to go down and reply with a point .Hanrahan was a constant thorn in their side as he added four frees and a huge score from play after a run in from the left

Kildalkey then had claims for a penalty after Paddy Potterton was hauled down in the square with the ball ending up in the net but the ball was brought back for an earlier free which Nicky converted. It was a big moment that could have brought the blues closer and gave them hope but a white flag was all that they got 

Cian Colhoun’s hard running at Ratoath was causing problems but they were hard to break down. Colm O'Riordan was then called on to make a couple of huge saves from Conneely and Potterton as Kildalkey were threatening for a goal but Ratoath's rearguard stood firm

Niall McNally got Kildalkey’s last score as he blazed over and Daithí McGowan had the last say from play for Ratoath.

Kildalkey’s brave effort just fell short as Ratoath won out by four.

Ratoath scorers: Podge McGowan 1-8, Bryan Mcmahon 1-1, Cian Rogers 0-3, Daithi McGown 0-2, Niall McLarnon 0-1, Gavin McGowan 0-1, Eoin Flanagan 0-1

Kildalkey team and scorers: 1 D Harmon, 2 D Conneely, 3 B Kelly, 4 E Dunne, 5 B Mckeon, 6 M Healy, 7 P Barnwell, 8 J Kavanagh, 9 N McNally (0-1), 10 P Conneely (0-5), 11 P Potterton, 12 C Colhoun (1-0), 13 N Potterton (0-10)(9f), 14 G Kelly, 15 L Rickard 

Subs: C Fitzgerald for G Kelly, E Fitzgerald for J Kavanagh, K Lynch B/S for E Dunne, M Carr B/S for L Rickard

Referee Derek Ryan

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