Ratoath rally late to seal semi-final spot

Late scores from Bobby O'Brien proved crucial to Ratoath as they overturned a half-time deficit of six points.

Ratoath 2-3-12 (24)

Dunshaughlin 2-4-8 (22)

Ratoath may have cruised through the group stages of the SFC but a hungry and efficient Dunshaughlin side undoubtedly tested their credentials in a thrilling quarter-final on Sunday at Devenish Park. Kevin Daly’s side came out on the right side of the result largely due to the incredible exploits of Daithi McGowan who finished with 1-9 and Bobby O’Brien who scored 1-1 in the closing stages.

Between the 20th minute and half-time, three two-pointers and a Luke Mitchell goal helped Dunshaughin outscore Ratoath 1-7 to 0-2. That left last year's finalists with a six-point deficit and plenty to ponder at the break. McGowan turned on the heat after the restart and rattled off three orange flags in the space of six minutes.

For the majority of the second half, Dunshaughlin kept a three-point cushion intact until the 58th minute when O’Brien rattled the net to draw the sides level. Fellow substitute and stalwart Joey Wallace edged his side ahead before O’Brien gave the eventual winners a two-point cushion in the 62nd minute and Ratoath closed out to book their spot in the semi-final against Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

Charlie O’Connor and Mathew Costello got Dunshaughlin off to a flyer as the pair accounted for four early points before McGowan got Ratoath off the mark. Ratoath seized the lead when McGowan rattled the top corner of the net with a superb finish. Jared Rushe replied for Dunshaughlin but a Cian Rogers point ensured Ratoath led 1-3 to 0-5 at the end of the first quarter.

In the 17th minute, Dunshaughlin were reduced to 14 men when Adam Kealy dragged McGowan to the floor inside the large rectangle. Eamon Wallace stepped up for the penalty kick but his effort went just wide of the left post.

Despite points from McGowan and Adam Ducie, Ratoath did not really capitalise on the numerical advantage and when Kealy returned to the action in the 27th minute, his side led by one point after Costello and Mitchell both contributed two-point frees. The lead was extended to four points when Aaron Murphy added his name to the scoresheet and Conor Duke struck for a cracking orange flag under pressure from a Ratoath defender.

On the cusp of half-time, a scramble ensued in the Ratoath goalmouth and Mitchell bundled the ball over the line to give Dunshaughlin an advantage of 1-12 to 1-6 at the break. After the restart, Costello extended the lead to seven points with a fisted point before McGowan took centre stage and kicked three superb two-pointers between the 32nd and 36th minute.

Just before McGowan’s third orange flag, Dunshaughlin’s cushion was maintained as a well-worked team move was capped off nicely when Ryan Robinson raised a green flag. Liam Kelly traded points with Robinson at the end of the third quarter but at that stage Dunshaughlin still led by 2-15 to 1-14.

Two substitutes that were made by Ratoath towards the end of that third quarter proved to be pivotal. Stalwarts Bobby O’Brien and Joey Wallace were introduced to the action in the 38th and 46th minute.

O’Brien kicked a nice point in the 50th minute to reduce the gap back to three again. Murphy’s free in the 54th minute transpired to be Dunshaughlin’s last score and it was cancelled out three minutes later when McGowan brought his personal tally to 1-9.

Ratoath went in search of a goal and after a slow build-up, Kelly cut open the defence with a cunning hand pass to O’Brien who struck to the roof of the Dunshaughlin net and restored parity. Joey Wallace edged Ratoath ahead in the 61st minute before O’Brien popped up with another score which provided a two-point cushion in the 62nd minute.

A two-point effort from Costello drifted harmlessly wide and the final whistle sealed a spot in the semi-final for last year's beaten finalists Ratoath.

Ratoath: Devon Burns; Liam Kelly (0-1), Conor McGill, Ben Wyer; Rob Hayes, Gavin McGowan (0-2), Eamon Wallace; Ben McGowan, Jack Flynn; Glen O’Reilly (0-1), Daithi McGowan (1-9 one free, one two-point free, two two-pointers), Paddy White; Bryan McMahon, Cian Rogers (0-1), Adam Ducie (0-1). Subs: Cian O’Brien for O’Reilly half-time, Bobby O’Brien (1-2) for Rogers 38m, Brian Daly for G McGowan, Joey Wallace (0-1) for Ducie both 43m, Darragh Kelly for B McGowan 52m.

Dunshaughlin: Tim O’Sullivan; Fursey Blake, David Fildes, Niall Byrne; Ciaran McCarrick, Jared Rushe (0-1), Adam Kealy; Charlie O’Connor (0-2 two-pointer), Ryan Robinson (1-1); John McDonagh, Conor Duke (0-2 two-pointer), Mathew Costello (0-6 two frees, one two-point free); Ben Duggan, Luke Mitchell (1-2 one two-point free), Aaron Murphy (0-2 one free). Subs: Jeff Foley for Mitchell 52m, Fiach Hartigan for Byrne, Tadgh O Dushlaine for Duggan both 57m, Colm Keane for Robinson 60m.

Referee: David Gough (Slane).