Killyon draw on experience to edge out Ratoath

In a gripping SHC contest that ebbed and flowed throughout Killyon just about did enough to get the better of Ratoath, 2-15 to 1-16 at Pairc Tailteann today. 

Killyon led for most of the opening half but it was Ratoath who went in at the break ahead, 1-7 to 1-6, with the help of a Sean Keogh goal just before the interval. The Killyon goal was netted by Mikie Mullen after 12 minutes when he out-paced the Ratoath defence to fire home. 

While Ratoath played some neat hurling at times they committed a series of unforced errors which, combined, cost them. 

Killyon showed a little more craft that was crucial with their second-half goal also proving to be a watershed moment. It was scored by David Raleigh after he took a pass from Ger Foley. That put Killyon 2-13 to 1-12 in front and there was no catching them after that. Mullen was Killyon's topscorer with 1-7, all his points from frees. 

Ratoath registered some superb points from the likes of Darragh Kelly, Bryan McMahon, Cian Rogers, Ciaran O'Hanrahan, Gavin McGowan and Daithi McGowan but the highlight was a score from a Padraig O'Hanrahan sideline cut. Padraig O'Hanrahan finished with seven points, including five frees. Yet even such heroics couldn't prevent Ratoath falling to the craftier Killyon outfit. 

See match report and photographs in the next issue of the Meath Chronicle