Ratoath finish with a flourish in titanic semi-final battle

Trim put in a monumental effort in a very entertaining clash but ultimately fell short as the champions booked their spot in the final.

MEATH SHC SEMI-FINAL

Ratoath 5-18

Trim 0-22

In the space of three minutes, with 10 minutes remaining, Trim went from having a one-point advantage and 15 men on the field to a deficit of five points and 14 players remaining as champions Ratoath pulled away from the opposition and booked their spot in the SHC final. The contest played in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday was, without a doubt, the best game of hurling the championship has seen so far. It was an end-to-end, high-quality, highly entertaining clash of last year's finalists.

Two goals in quick succession, courtesy of Daithi McGowan and Cian Rogers were a sucker blow for Trim who had put in a huge performance up to that point. A minute later, James Murray, who had racked up 13 points for the defeated side, was given his marching orders for a high shoulder, and that transpired to be the final nail in the coffin for the reds.

Ratoath wrapped up proceedings by hitting 1-3 in the final seven minutes. The scoreboard reflects how sharp Ratoath are, but not the monumental effort that Trim put in for the majority. Cian Rogers was by far Ratoath’s best performer on the day. From early on, the Trim full-back line really struggled to contain Rogers. It was a phenomenal performance from the dual star.

It took some time for both teams to get settled into the contest. Padraig O’Hanrahan had an early chance for a goal but after his effort was blocked, the ball was worked back out to Rogers who handed Ratoath an early two-point lead.

Two points in a row from Darragh Heffernan and Murray brought Trim level and after 10 minutes, the scoreboard read 0-3 apiece. Padraig O’Hanrahan edged Ratoath back in front before two very well struck frees from Murray put Trim ahead for the first time.

The game really came to life midway through the second quarter. Between the 18th and 21st minute, Ratoath hit 1-3. Eoin O’Reilly denied Cian Rogers a goal chance before Bryan McMahon finished off the rebound to the net. Rogers also contributed a brace of points in that quick-fire assault.

Trim then turned the tables and scored four points in a row in the space of two minutes, which included a beautiful sideline-cut from Murray. Mikey Cole and George Douglas also added their names to the scoresheet. A late point from Cole sent Trim in at the break with a 0-12 to 1-8 lead.

The third quarter was real end-to-end intense hurling. Rogers kick-started proceedings before Murray and O’Hanrahan traded two frees each. Murray edged Trim ahead again before the two centre forwards, Daithi McGowan and Conor Quigley, swapped points. With 20 minutes remaining, Trim led 0-16 to 1-12.

The sides cancelled out each other again with two points each before Mikey Cole got on the end of a well-worked move and split the posts with a fine score. It looked as if Trim were getting the upper hand, and Murray struck from play to put them three points clear.

Against the run of play, O’Hanrahan managed to find the back of the net and the sides were level with 15 minutes left. The two corner forwards, Gavin McGowan and George Douglas traded scores before Murray’s and Trim's last contribution came in the form of a free in the 48th minute.

Ratoath seized momentum very quickly. A long ball in from Ciaran O’Hanrahan was initially dropped by Daithi McGowan but he recovered well and drove at the Trim posts. Two defenders could not stop McGowan and with a strike over the head, he found the back of the net.

Less than a minute later, Rogers burst through and produced a lovely finish to raise Ratoath’s fourth green flag. In the space of two minutes, Ratoath had turned a one-point deficit into a five-point lead.

Soon after Murray received his red card and Trims' chances very quickly faded away. Ratoath finished with a flourish, Rogers found the back of the net again, while O’Hanrahan notched three more frees.

Ratoath - Colm O'Riordan; Liam Corbett, Cormac Butler, Conor McGill; Ben McGowan, Darragh Kelly, Domhnall Rogers (0-1); Ciaran O'Hanrahan, Jack McGowan; Niall McLarnon, Daithi McGowan (1-2), Padraic O'Hanrahan (1-7); Bryan McMahon (1-0) , Cian Rogers (2-6), Gavin McGowan (0-2). Subs - Rob Hayes for McLarnon half-time, Cian Kelly for McGill 54m, Tomas Corbett for Butler 60m.

Trim - Eoin O'Reilly; Gary Fleming, Ben Holden, Daniel Coleman; Eoghan Ryan, James Toher (0-1), Mikey Cole (0-2); Joey Cole, Mark Molloy; Darragh Heffernan (0-1), Conor Quigley (0-1), David Murtagh; Kyle Ennis (0-1), James Murray (0-13 seven frees, one sideline-cut) George Douglas (0-2). Subs - Alan Douglas for Ennis 38m.

Referee - Sean Stack (Dublin)