Ratoath take scenic route to success

They did it the hard way but Ratoath made it through to the Leinster Club JHC final when they defeated Laois side Rosenallis 1-20 to 1-16 at Ratoath today. 

This was a game Ratoath looked like losing at certain stages but when the contest was slipping from their grasp they somehow found the necessary energy and determination to get out of a tight corner. 

This ability was seen most clearly in the closing stages of normal time. With 60 minutes on the clock Rosenallis edged a point ahead when one of their best players, John Lennon, fired the ball between the posts. 

Instead of throwing in the towel Ratoath hit back and a minute later they equalised when the impressive Padraig O'Hanrahan pointed from about 40 metres out to tie up the scores at 0-16 to 1-13. 

The goal in normal time was scored by Walter Murphy after 11 minutes when he netted from close range after the Ratoath defence was unable to clear from the danger zone. 

In the second-half of normal sides the topsy-turvy nature of the game continued to unfold with Rosenallis edging ahead and Ratoath hitting back with Gavin McGowan slotting over a number of sweet scores for the home side. 

Lennon looked to have scored a golden point for the Laois side before O'Hanrahan had other ideas to equalise and force extra-time. 

There was little between the sides as the drama unfolded in extra-time with a point from the outstanding Dara Kelly putting Ratoath ahead by the minimum but typically Rosenallis hit back to equalise themselves. 

The sides were level at the break in extra-time, 0-19 to 1-16 and then with the contest drawing to a close Ratoath brought on substitute Paddy Coady. 

He was only on the field of play when he neatly finished to the net from close range and the Rataoth supporters went wild with excitement. They were through.

Ratoath now take on Kilkenny side Mooncoin in the final next Saturday.