Super-sub Flanagan inspires Ratoath to semi-final

Champions retain grip on title as Trim falter

Ratoath.........................3-21

Trim..............................3-13

They haven't gone away, you know.

Defending champions Ratoath indicated they are not ready to relinquish the Jubilee Cup without out a fight as they secured their SHC semi-final spot with an impressive victory over Trim at Devenish Park Dunganny on Sunday.

Super-sub Eoin Flanagan was the hero for the champions as his hat-trick of stunning goals kept Trim at bay and quelled their late rally that almost dragged them into a contest where they were second best for the most part.

Ratoath were very impressive. They spluttered in the opening stages, but once they hit their straps they were a finely tuned machine that ran Trim into the ground with a performance packed with power and pace.

Trim struggled to find an answer. Defensively they were quite sound, which is remarkable considering they conceded 3-21, but the pretenders lacked a spark in attack with only Mikey Cole, and later Kyle Ennis, causing any moments of real worry for the well disciplined and organised Ratoath rearguard.

When 18-year-old Flanagan was introduced for Bryan McMahon in the 48th minute Ratoath were on the back foot after conceding a goal to Mikey Cole and seeing their 'keeper Colm O'Riordan pull off a miraculous save to deny Ennis, but Flanagan's fresh pace caused Trim problems.

Trim had the deficit, which was out to eight points at one stage early in the second-half, whittled down to the minimum with four minutes remaining before Flanagan struck for his first goal.

After Padraig O'Hanrahan added another pointed free Flanagan cut in from the left and fired his second goal to make it 2-21 to 2-13 in the 60th minute.

Ennis did pull a goal back for Trim, but there was no stopping Ratoath or Flanagan as he hit his, and his side's, third goal to seal the semi-final spot at Trim's expense.

Points from Ciaran O'Hanrahan and Jack McGowan had Ratoath in command after three minutes, but then Trim took over with Mikey Cole leading the charge with a brace, while James Murray (two, one free), James Andrews and Daniel Murray also pointed to give Declan Murray's side a 0-6 to 0-2 lead.

That was as good as it got for Trim as they were outscored 0-12 to 0-2 for the remainder of the half with points from James Murray (free) and James Andrews wiped out by nine scores from play from Cian Rogers (two), Gavin McGowan (three), Ben McGowan, Padraig O'Hanrahan, Daithi McGowan and Ciaran O'Hanrahan, and a free and '65' from Padraig O'Hanrahan to lead by 0-14 to 0-8 at the break.

Two more long range frees from Padraig O'Hanrahan stretched that lead to double scores after the resumption before Trim eventually settled again and managed to claw their way back into contention.

A James Murray free, after Mikey Cole had hit the post, started the mini-revival and when Mikey Cole added a point to make it 0-10 to 0-16 there was a sense Trim weren't beaten yet.

Cian Rogers responded for Ratoath, but when Mikey Cole doubled Alan Douglas's short point attempt to the net it left just four between the sides at the three quarters stage.

Ennis was denied a goal when O'Riordan deflected his goalbound shot over the bar and that gave Ratoath a lift as Rob Hayes shovelled a point over the bar before Cian Rogers made it 0-20 to 1-11.

A point from Ennis looked like nothing more than a consolation score with nine minutes remaining, but then James Murray rattled the net after a pass from Douglas and when he added a free from his own 65 Trim were back to within one and it was game on.

However that was as good as it got for Trim as Flanagan made his impact with his stunning hat-trick of goals ensuring no nervous finish as the champions march on.

Ratoath: Colm O’Riordan; Liam Corbett, Darragh Kelly, Conor McGill; Domhnall Rogers, Ben McGowan (0-1), Niall McLarnon; Ciaran O’Hanrahan (0-2), Jack McGowan (0-1); Rob Hayes (0-1), Padraig O’Hanrahan (0-7 five frees, one '65), Daithi McGowan (0-2); Gavin McGowan (0-3), Cian Rogers (0-4), Bryan McMahon. Subs - Eoin Flanagan (3-0) for McMahon 48m, Liam Kelly for Hayes 49m, Padraic Byrne for G McGowan 60m, Sean O'Hanrahan for C Rogers 62m.

Trim: Eoin O’Reilly; Conor Quigley, Gary Fleming, Ben Holden; Ian Birmingham, Alan Douglas, Dimmy Higgins; Mark Molloy, David Murtagh; Pa Ryan, James Andrews (0-2), Joey Cole; Mikey Cole (1-3), James Murray (1-5 four frees), Daniel Murray (0-1). Subs - Kyle Ennis (1-2) for Andrews 37m, Dylan Farrell for Murtagh 39m, Danny Coleman for Higgins, George Douglas for D Murray both 48m, Darragh Heffernan for Molloy 59m.

Referee: Rory Hanlon (St Brigid's Dublin).