Unfrustered Ratoath to see off Dunshaughlin

Little more than five miles separates these neighbours, but in terms of football calibre there is nothing between as Ratoath continue their bid to reach their sixth Keegan Cup final in eight years.

Standing in their way are another of the perrenial contenders, Dunshaughlin, who were off the senior scene briefly, but since their return were one of the sides that halted Ratoath's march to a final and who also recaptured the Keegan Cup themselves.

In terms of individual talent there aren't two more exciting teams in the Meath SFC, and eventhough Dunshaughlin have lost key men like Ruairi Kinsella and Conor Gray to the cursed cruciate knee injury they are still considered amongst the top four for honours.

At the start of this year's SFC campaign few looked outside of defending champions Summerhill, Wolfe Tones, Ratoath or Dunshaughlin as likely winners - and that remains the case, but the reality is that after next Sunday's clash in Dunganny one of those big guns will be out. But which one?

The paths to the knockout stages couldn't be more contrasting. Ratoath cruised through their group with an average winning margin of 12 points from their games against Trim, Skryne and Na Fianna.

Dunshaughlin's looked on course for a similarly easy course when they scored 27 points in their nine-point opening round win over Simonstown, but their subsequent loss to Donaghmore/Ashbourne left them needing to do it the hard way for the second year in succession.

Last year Dunshaughlin scrapped into the last eight with Meath Hill's late winner denying Rathkenny and putting Dunshaughlin through by the skin of their teeth. This year they needed to win by more than three points in their final game against flying Gaeil Colmcille and they duly obliged.

It was that backs-to-the-wall character that indicates Dunshaughlin could well be a force again and, just like last year, they might make the most of their late entry into the top eight to continue to climb the ranks.

However, such has been the smooth sailing of Ratoath's journey so far that they haven't been road tested in choppy waters - maybe that's a good thing.

Their final group game against Na Fianna allowed them take their foot off the gas a little and that should ensure they are fresh as daisies ahead of the clash with Dunshaughlin.

There are so many massive individual battles to play out in Dunganny next Sunday, but maybe the more cohesive nature of Ratoath's campaign so far suggests they might just have enough to prevail. Verdict - Ratoath.