Ratoath solidify Leinster ambitions

Ratoath had a statement win over Wicklow side Carnew Emmets in their opening Leinster IHC clash.

Ratoath 1-20

Carnew Emmets 0-13

Gavin McGowan’s goal in the 52nd minute ensured Ratoath solidified their Leinster IHC ambitions in Aughrim as they led from start to finish in their win over a rugged Carnew Emmets side on Saturday. With 15 minutes remaining, only four points separated the sides in a very physical encounter.

Between the 45th minute and the 54th minute, Ratoath outscored the Wicklow outfit by 1-4 to 0-1. During that period, Carnew Emmets also received two straight red cards and Ratoath closed out the game well.

With the wind at their backs, Ratoath made a fast start and scored the first five points in the opening nine minutes. Carnew Emmets then shifted momentum and were the stronger of the two sides in the second quarter but at the interval, Ratoath still led by six.

Ratoath hit three wides early in the second-half while Carnew Emmets rattled off three points to reduce the gap back to three. The first of Carnew Emmets' red cards was awarded in the 45th minute. Ratoath switched gears and five minutes later, the result was beyond doubt.

Padraig O’Hanrahan punished Carnew Emmets for their ill discipline by scoring 0-13 from frees. The dual sharpshooter scored four of the first five points while Bryan McMahon captalised on confusion in the Carnew Emmets defence and slotted a nice point. After 10 minutes, following an Eoin Kavanagh free for the home side, Ratoath led 0-5 to 0-1.

Not usually known for his scoring abilities, Ratoath captain, Jack McGowan, slotted an absolute peach of a point to extend the gap back out to five. Kavanagh responded for Carnew Emmets before O’Hanrahan hit a brace of frees and with five minutes remaining in the half, Ratoath led 0-8 to 0-2.

Two minutes into injury time, O’Hanrahan did really well to steal possession and set up Cian Rogers for a cracking score before Padraig Doran pulled one back for Carnew Emmets with a well-struck ‘65’. At half-time, Ratoath led 0-10 to 0-4.

Carnew Emmets' brightest spell came just after the restart and between the 30th and 40th minute, they outscored Ratoath by 0-4 to 0-2 with points from Doran, Rory Stokes, Kenneth Cullen and Fionn Darcy. A Cian Rogers point kept Ratoath ticking over before Darcy responded and with 15 minutes remaining, Ratoath led 0-13 to 0-9.

A pivotal moment in the clash occurred in the 45th minute. Conall McCrea’s wildish swing at Gavin McGowan was more of an orange card than anything else but his reaction to the foul being awarded, which included him booting the sliotar away, probably influenced referee Gearoid Mac Craith’s decision to award a red card.

Ratoath made good use of the extra space available to them and a brace of points from O’Hanrahan preceded the game's only goal. Rogers’ initial shot came back off the post, but Gavin McGowan was first to respond and he slotted to the net, which handed Ratoath an eight-point lead with eight minutes left.

A second Carnew Emmets red card, this time for Aaron Kinsella, was the final nail in the coffin as O’Hanrahan slotted four of Ratoath's final five scores. Up next for the Meath champions is an away semi-final clash with Offaly’s Lusmagh.

Ratoath - Colm O’Riordan; Liam Corbett, Ben McGowan, Conor McGill; Cian Kelly, Darragh Kelly, Domhnall Rogers; Ciaran O’Hanrahan, Jack McGowan (0-1); Niall McLarnon, Daithi McGowan, Padraig O’Hanrahan (0-15 thirteen frees); Bryan McMahon (0-1), Cian Rogers (0-3), Gavin McGowan (1-0). Subs- Rob Hayes for McLarnon 51m, Tomas Corbett for C Kelly 54m, Liam Kelly for B McGowan, Cormac Butler for L Corbett both 60m.

Carnew Emmetts - Robert Fitzgerald; Cormac Redmond, Conall McCrea, Ruairi O’Brien; James McGing Padraig Doran (0-4 two frees, one ‘65’), Martin O’Brien; Aaron Kinsella, Rory Stokes (0-1); Kenneth Cullen (0-1), Paudie McGing, Thomas Collins (0-1); Fionn Darcy (0-2), Jack Doye (0-1), Eoin Kavanagh (0-2 one free). Subs - Daniel Redmond for P McGing half-time, John Doyle for Kavanagh 44m, Justin House for J McGing 57m.

Referee - Gearoid Mac Craith (Wexford).