Ratoath lay down marker with comfortable win over Skryne

Ratoath cruised to an opening round victory over their neighbours Skryne in the SFC on Friday evening in Dunshaughlin

Ratoath 4-1-15 (29)

Skryne 0-2-9 (13)

Last year's beaten finalists Ratoath raised four green flags as they cruised to victory over familiar foes Skryne on Friday in the SFC at Dunshaughlin. Skryne led by two points after 18 minutes but Ratoath’s only orange flag courtesy of Glen O’Reilly seemed to ignite Kevin Daly’s side as they scored 2-5 without reply before the interval.

Ratoath’s two goals in that second quarter were both scored by the lively stalwart Bryan McMahon. Their third in the 38th minute courtesy of Dathi McGowan effectively put the contest to bed as Ratoath moved 14 points clear of the opposition. The clash really petered out in the last quarter. In injury time, Ian Davis slotted a consolation two-point free for Skryne while Joey Wallace rattled home Ratoath’s fourth goal.

The sides traded scores early on as the two teams settled into the game and felt each other out. For Ratoath, Adam Ducie converted a free which was won by a late addition to the starting 15 Oisin Kelly before Daithi McGowan contributed two points, one with each foot. Scores from Padraig Finnerty, Darragh Campion and Sean Smyth kept Skryne on terms in the early exchanges and after 10 minutes the sides were deadlocked with three points apiece.

Liam Kelly was an energetic presence for Ratoath and he edged them ahead before Ducie put them two points in front. Skryne responded well and Campion slotted a fantastic two-pointer before James Reeves set up Billy Smyth and Campion for scores and after 18 minutes Skyrne led 0-7 to 0-5.

That was as good as it got for Aidan Tuite’s side as a super two-pointer from O’Reilly seized momentum for the eventual runaway winners. Two well-worked moves resulted in points for Ducie and Cian Rogers before McMahon produced a stunning finish past Ian Gillett for Ratoath’s first goal.

Daithi McGowan added another point and on the cusp of half-time McMahon raised another green flag. McMahon’s initial shot was blocked but he rebounded into an empty net to complete his brace and at the break Ratoath led 2-10 to 0-7.

Soon after the restart, Kelly split the posts before Billy Smyth responded with a nice point. Rogers set up O’Reilly which kept Ratoath’s tally ticking before Shane Smyth became the third Smyth to register a score for Skryne.

In a two-minute period, Ratoath put to bed any slender hopes that remained for the opposition. Daithi McGowan linked up well with substitute Eamon Wallace who set up Gavin McGowan for a nice score. Eamon Wallace then set up Daithi McGowan for Ratoath’s third goal. Rogers potentially could have found the net himself soon after but he opted for the point and after 40 minutes Ratoath led 3-14 to 0-9.

After he had already set up two of the McGowan brothers for 1-1, Eamon Wallace added his name to the scoresheet with a nice point towards the end of the third quarter. Sean Smyth and Campion pulled two points back for Skryne, but in the final quarter the contest really petered out as both sides accepted the result and eased off the pedal.

Daithi McGowan had a goal ruled out in the 54th minute for a square ball before himself and Kelly increased Ratoath’s already significant lead by two. Those two points were cancelled out though when a Ratoath breach of the 3-back rule handed substitute Davis the opportunity to slot two-point free.

Deep in injury time, Joey Wallace put the icing on the cake for Ratoath with a fourth goal while down the other end, Davis forced a super late save out of Devon Burns.

Ratoath: Devon Burns; Callum Brady, Liam Kelly (0-1), Conor McGill; Rob Hayes, Ben Wyer, Gavin McGowan (0-1); Ben McGowan, Oisin Kelly(0-2); Glen O'Reilly (0-3 one two-pointer), Daithí McGowan (1-4 one free), Paddy White; Bryan McMahon (2-0), Cian Rogers (0-2), Adam Ducie (0-3 one free). Subs: Eamon Wallace (0-1) for Hayes 35m, Joey Wallace (1-0) for McMahon 39m, Brian Daly for G McGowan 43m, Cian O’Brien for O'Reilly 44m, Sean Brazil for Brady 50m.

Skryne: Ian Gillett; Andrew Moore, Michael Doherty, David Carroll; Paddy Carpenter, James Reeves, Shane Smyth (0-1); Rob Gallagher, John O'Regan; Oisín Keogh, Pádraig Finnerty (0-1), Stephen O'Brien; Darragh Campion (0-5 two fress, one two-pointer), Billy Smyth (0-2), Sean Smyth (0-2). Subs: John Finnerty for O’Brien 35m, Ian Davis (0-2 two-point free) for Keogh 44m, Mark Swan for Reeves, DJ O’Reilly for Campion both 55m.

Referee: Kieran Olwell (Moynalty).