Ratoath ladies claim junior honours

Ratoath pulled away from Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels in the second-half of the ladies JFC decider at Seneschalstown.

Ratoath 2-11

Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 0-8

TOM GANNON

Ratoath’s strong second-half performance saw them pull away from Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels in the Ladies JFC decider at Seneschalstown on Friday evening. Amy Gaffney raised a brace of green flags and in the final quarter all that Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels were able to muster was a late free from Laura Murray who finished with a nice tally of six points.

In truth, the gap between the sides could have been significantly larger but for the incredible exploits of Lara Reynolds in between the sticks for Mick Summerville’s side. Reynolds denied Ratoath goal opportunities on several occasions, including an acrobatic double save in the first-half to stop Aine Cooke from scoring a certain goal.

The first-half was a tightly contested, intriguing battle. The eventual winners drew first blood when Gaffney linked up well with Emily Harley before she split the posts nicely. Murray’s free in the fourth minute drew the sides level before she edged her side ahead.

Ratoath captain Rebecca McIntyre tore through the opposition defence and restored parity before Reynolds pulled off that incredible double save and Cooke eventually had to settle for a point.

Another brace of Murray points put Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels back in front before Fiona McNerney responded for Ratoath with a point from play and a free that came about from a Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels breech of the three-up rule.

Keelan McGovern drew the sides level once more but a McNerney free on the cusp of half-time secured Ratoath a narrow advantage at the break of 0-6 to 0-5.

Soon after the restart, Ratoath seized control as a Cooke point was followed by the first of Gaffney's brace of green flags.

Two points on the spin, a Murray free and a well-worked point for Ciara Galvin brought Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels right back into contention. However, Gaffney’s second goal which was assisted by Cooke put six points between the sides at the end of the third quarter.

McIntyre put Ratoath ahead by seven points which meant Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels had a mountain to climb with five minutes left on the clock. Dunshaughlin pressed high in search of scores but Ratoath put the result beyond doubt with points from McNerney and Laura Kelly.

Murray traded frees in injury time with McNerney but at that stage it was clear to everyone in attendance that Ratoath were going to secure the Ladies JFC title, their first championship since 2012, and return to the Intermediate ranks.

Ratoath: Aoife Tormey; Cara Reidy, Emma McGill, Louise Gaffney; Marina Kelly, Aoife Kelly, Louise Byrne; Emily Harley, Leila Byrne; Rebecca McIntyre (0-2), Amy Gaffney (2-1), Sophie Donnelly; Fiona McNerney (0-5 four frees), Aine Cooke (0-2), Laura Kelly (0-1). Subs: Chloe Faherty for Kelly 47m, Emma Gilhooly for Byrne 55m.

Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels: Laura Reynolds; Saoirse Walker, Claire McCarrick, Molly McNamara; Rebecca Considine, Clara McKenna, Tara Glennon; Megan O'Reilly, Ciara Galvin (0-1); Aisling O'Connor, Katelyn Doherty, Keelan McGovern (0-1); Laura Murray (0-6 four frees), Allis Bruce, Lucy Caffery. Subs: Laura Bourke for Bruce 56m, Gillian Murray for Caffery 59m.

Referee: Sean Clarke (Skryne).