O'Reilly and Rogers to the rescue for Ratoath

SFC Donaghmore/Ashbourne collapse twice late on

When they trailed by six points at the three-quarters stage Ratoath's SFC journey looked set for a low-key end, but they hit seven of the last nine points to force extra-time and then Cian Rogers re-emerged from the bench to break Donaghmore/Ashbourne hearts at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

Despite surrendering that lead Donaghmore/Ashbourne didn't appear too downhearted as they led by two points at the break in extra-time and stretched that advantage to 0-17 to 0-14 with an Andy Tormey free.

With six minutes left in extra-time Ratoath were staring down the abyss for a second time, but then Glen O'Reilly gave them hope with a two-point free.

A long through ball 30 seconds later found Rogers, who was re-introduced after being taken off in the 21st minute, and the number 14 made no mistake with a brilliant finish to give his side the lead for the first time since Jack Flynn had opened the scoring after 45 seconds.

It was cruel heartbreak for Donaghmore/Ashbourne and it got even worse 90 seconds later when O'Reilly picked out Rogers with a brilliant pass and the super-sub rounded Andy Colgan to fire a second goal to put the issue beyond doubt.

Joey Wallace marked his return from a long term injury with a fisted point and it was fitting that O'Reilly closed the scoring and capped a match defining performance to send Ratoath through to the semi-finals.

It was a thrilling conclusion to what was a dour contest.

After Flynn's opening point Ratoath failed to score for another 22 minutes as Donaghmore/Ashbourne landed points from Darragh McGovern, Zach Thornton (two, one free), Michael O'Sullivan, Jamie Browne and a stunning James Crumlish two-pointer to lead 0-7 to 0-1.

Daithi McGowan ended Ratoath's drought with a free and in the 31st minute Bryan McMahon closed the gap to four before Browne brought the awful first-half to a close to ensure a 0-8 to 0-3 interval lead for Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

The quality improved after the resumption as the sides shared the first eight points with Bobby O'Brien (two), Ronan Byrne and Cian O'Brien on target for Ratoath while Tormey (two, one free), Thornton and Evan Quinn replied for Donaghmore/Ashbourne to maintain the advantage, 0-12 to 0-7.

Then Ratoath started to play.

McMahon pointed either side of a Daithi McGowan free and then McGowan had a two-point attempt tipped over the bar to close the deficit to the minimum, 0-11 to 0-12.

Joey Wallace fired a goal chance wide and when Tormey restored a two-point cushion for Donaghmore/Ashbourne Timmy O'Regan's side started to believe, but then came O'Reilly to the rescue with a stunning two-pointer 90 seconds into injury-time to force extra-time.

Despite kicking 17 wides in the hour Ratoath were still in the game, but after Quinn and McGowan traded points it looked like it was going Donaghmore/Ashbourne's way again when Jack Doran kicked a brilliant two-pointer to make it 0-16 to 0-14 at the break in extra-time.

Tormey stretched that lead 90 seconds into the second-half of extra-time, but then came Rogers' brace of goals and O'Reilly's massive influence to ensure Ratoath's victory.

Ratoath - Conor Rooney; Callum Brady, Liam Kelly, Sean Brazil; Eamon Wallace, Ben Wyer, Gavin McGowan; Jack Flynn (0-1), Darragh Kelly; Cian O'Brien (0-1), Bobby O'Brien (0-2), Daithi McGowan (0-4 two frees); Bryan McMahon (0-3), Cian Rogers, Ronan Byrne (0-1).

Subs - Glen O'Reilly (0-5 two two-pointers) for Rogers 21m, Ben McGowan for D Kelly 27m, Brian Daly for E Wallace 41m, Joey Wallace (0-1) for Byrne 43m; extra-time - Conor McGill for G McGowan, Rogers (2-0) for McMahon.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne - Andrew Colgan; Conor Carton, Sean Curran, James Redmond; James Crumlish (0-2 two-pointer), Oisin Daly, Evan Quinn (0-2); Kevin Cully, Darragh McGovern (0-1); Jamie Browne (0-2), Cillian Hegarty, Zach Thornton (0-3 two frees); Evan Kelly, Andrew Tormey (0-4 two frees), Michael O'Sullivan (0-1). Subs - Kevin Fenton for O'Sullivan 50m, Evan O'Kane for Cully 56m, Jack Doran (0-2 two-pointer) for Thornton, Thomas McGovern for D McGovern both 61m; extra-time - Michael Deegan for Crumlish, Luke Barrett for Redmond, Matthew Crumlish for Daly.

Referee - Keith Sheerin (Castletown).