Ratoath go through the motions

Ratoath1-1-13 (18)

Na Fianna1-2-5 (12)

This was a classic example of a SFC dead rubber encounter if there ever was one. Group toppers Ratoath, who were already through to the quarter-finals, against a Na Fianna side already consigned to a relegation battle.

At times under the Friday night lights at Martry’s sparkling, refurbished ground, the contest did resemble a pre-season challenge. At other times there was the intensity of a real championship encounter served up for the small attendance.

Ratoath wanted to win this game and keep their unbeaten run going – a fact reflected in the way they fielded a near full-strength side. New-look Na Fianna could have done with a morale-boosting win ahead of their do-or-die relegation scrap.

In the end Ratoath did what everyone expected they would do and win the game but it took some time for them to get going, racking up a series of wides before Daithi McGowan got them going with a point from play after 11 minutes.

McGowan went on to have a fine game notching up four points, two frees, and doing a great deal to keep his side on the front-foot.

The only Ratoath player to surpass McGowan’s scoring contribution was Glenn O’Reilly who hit 1-2, his goal arriving just before the interval when he took a pass from Brian Daly before slotting the ball to the net.

O’Reilly also landed his team’s only two-pointer in the opening half, and with other scoring contributions from Oisin Kelly, Daithi McGowan and Cian O’Brien, Ratoath were able to go in at the break with a 1-6 to 1-4 advantage.

They continued to stay in front throughout the second-half of a battling Na Fianna side with Daithi McGowan, O’Brien, Cian Rogers, Jack McGowan, Eamon Wallace and Adam Ducie tagging on points. Goalkeeper Devon Burns also made a scoring contribution when he converted a '45'.

Under pressure early on Na Fianna grabbed the opening score of the game, against the run of play, in the seventh minute when a rapid attack ended with Ronan Byrne skillfully shooting to the net.

Driven on by Ethan Devine from midfield Na Fianna asked some serious questions of the Ratoath defence. They just couldn’t find a way through often enough. Devine also went a long way to keeping his team in the hunt with two monster, two-pointer frees.

Shane Jordan and the ever-enterprising Cormac Rafferty were others to send over scores for Johnny Baldwin’s side who, as ever, give it everything. The reality however, is that they are still looking for their first win. Ratoath march on.

Ratoath: Devon Burns (0-1 '45'); Callum Brady, Liam Kelly, Sean Brazil; Brian Daly, Ben Wyer, Eamon Wallace (0-1); Ben McGowan, Oisin Kelly (0-1); Glenn O’Reilly (1-2 one two-pointer), Daithi McGowan (0-4 two frees), Cian O’Brien (0-2); Bobby O’Brien, Cian Rogers (0-2), Adam Ducie (0-1). Subs: Darragh Kelly for Kelly 38m, Jack McGowan (0-1) for Daly, Tomas Corbett for C O’Brien both 48m, Paddy White for O’Reilly 54m, Conor Rooney for B O’Brien 58m.

Na Fianna : Shane Geraghty; Oran Smullen, Eoin Bright, Cian Doherty; Sam Jordan, Anthony Healy, Sean Rafferty; Oisin Bright, Ethan Devine (0-6 two two-point frees); Shane Jordan (0-1), Conor Downey (0-1), Ronan Byrne (1-0); Cormac Rafferty (0-1), Sean McDonnell, Luke Kelly. Subs: Dan Callaghan for Jordan 39m, Paul Kennedy for Byrne 42m, Cian Spillane for E Bright 53m, Andy Glynn for O Bright, Evan Mullaly for Kelly both 55m.

Referee: Robert Purfield (St Patrick’s).