Sharpshooting Ratoath ambush Kiltale

Going into this game Kiltale were the strong favourites but it didn't turn out like that as Ratoath produced their best display of the SHC so far to book their place in the final.

Michael Connolly's side didn't make the best of starts conceding 1-2 in the opening minutes and failing to get on the scoreboard themselves.

However, they gradually found their form to lead 0-8 to 1-4 at the interval before emerging as the best team by some distance in the second-half.

Gavin McGowan was particularly impressive for the winners tormenting the Kiltale defence all afternoon and he finished with the considerable haul of six points.

Ratoath had a sharp cutting edge to their attack with Bobby O'Brien, Jack McGowan and Daithi McGowan all finishing off sharp-paced moves. As ever Podge O'Hanrahan was a big player for Ratoath, scoring seven points.

Jack Regan fired home two late goals for Kiltale from frees but they arrived too late to change the balance of the game in any significant way.

Peter Durnin also found the net for Kiltale in this slow-burning encounter but Kiltale were well off the pace and never really touched the heights of previous performances.

Now Ratoath can prepare for a final joust with Trim - a pairing few would have predicted only a couple of weeks ago.

Ciaran Flynn let the play flow at every opportunity which added to the entertainment of the game which was deservedly won by in-form Ratoath.

SCORERS

Ratoath - Podge O'Hanrahan 0-7 six frees, Gavin McGowan 0-6, Bobby O'Brien 1-0, Jack McGowan 1-0, Daithi McGowan 1-0, Cian Rogers 0-1, Niall McLarnon 0-1, Padraig Byrne 0-1

Kiltale - Jack Regan 2-3, 2-0 frees, 0-3 65s, Peter Durnin 1-1, David Donoghue 0-3, Padraig Kelly 0-1, Ross Ryan 0-1, Chris Reilly 0-1, Adam Murphy 0-1.

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Gavin McVann, Willie Mahady, Brian O'Reilly; Conor McNally, Adam Murphy, Padraig Kelly; Conor Shirren, Cathal McCabe; David Donoghue, Jack Regan, James Kelly; Peter Durnin, Chris Reilly, Ross Ryan. Subs - Eoghan Frayne for Mahady 38 mins, Eamonn Ryan for C McNally 48m.

Ratoath - Gearoid Crowley; Cian Kelly, Cormac Butler, Conor McGill; Darragh Kelly, Ben McGowan, Conor Ward; Padraic O'Hanrahan, Niall McLarnon; Daithi McGowan, Jack McGowan, Padraig Byrne; Cian Rogers, Bobby O'Brien, Gavin McGowan. Subs - Domhnall Rogers for Butler 48m.

Referee - Ciaran Flynn (Kilmessan).

* In the JHC final also played today at Pairc Tailteann Dunboyne defeated Kiltale 1-20 to 1-11. Daire Rohan scored the Dunboyne goal while Neil Hackett rolled back the years firing over three points and playing a leading role in the win. Hackett also accepted the trophy on behalf of his colleagues.

MORE ON THE ALL THE BIG HURLING GAMES INCLUDING PHOTOS FROM THE MATCHES IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE