Ratoath edge out Simonstown to advance

A draw was all Ratoath needed to progress to the SFC semi-finals and for long spells that looked beyond them, but they showed plenty of grit and determination to dig out a 0-11 to 0-10 win in Pairc Tailteann this afternoon that leaves Simonstown out of the running.

Simonstown were left to rue squandering their bright start, but they also had a great chance to put three between the sides after the second-half water break which went astray.

Ratoath breathed a huge sigh of relief at that let off and kick four of the last five points to advance, with five of their 11-point tally coming from placed balls.

The opening 20 minutes produced attractive, free-flowing football. Ratoath had their chances, but Simonstown were clincal as Padraig McKeever opened the scoring from a third minute free before Rory Connor doubled the advantage three minutes later.

McKeever was denied a goal chance by a brilliant Conor McGill tackle, but that missed chance didn't dishearten the Navan men as Nicky O'Brien (two), James Kilcullen and Ben Hoey lofted over brilliant scores to give Simonstown the perfect start and a 0-6 to 0-0 lead.

Gavin McGowan galloped forward from centre-back to show Ratoath where the target was and with the last play before the first water break Daithi McGowan pointed well to close the gap to 0-2 to 0-6.

When play resumed it wasn't at the same tempo or skill. Bryan McMahon tapped over a 13-metre free to close the gap to three, but Simonstown countered with a converted free from McKeever to make it 0-7 to 0-3.

A first free for Daithi McGowan was followed by an excellent score from Cian Rogers as Ratoath closed to within two, but Simonstown closed out a promising half with a point from McKeever to ensure a 0-8 to 0-5 interval lead.

Play continued to be scrappy after the break as Ratoath clawed their way back into contention.

Daithi McGowan's free was their sole reward from a dominant spell that yielded a goal chance for Rogers, but despite beating Robbie Burlingham to the punch his effort went narrowly wide.

Daithi McGowan added another free in the 42nd minute to close the gap to the minimum, but Simonstown replied with a converted free from McKeever to make it 0-9 to 0-7 at the second water break.

When play resumed it was Ratoath who had the greater urgency. Daithi McGowan converted another free before a rare mistake by McKeever gifted Conor Rooney with a score to restore parity for the first time with seven minutes remaining.

A minute later Podge Byrne edged Ratoath ahead for the first time, but Conor Sheridan responded from a mark to tie it up again.

However in the 63rd minute Ratoath were handed a free and McMahon made no mistake from close range to secure his side's place in the last four where Summerhill await in a repeat of last year's final.

SCORERS

Ratoath – Daithi McGowan 0-4 three frees; Bryan McMahon 0-2 frees; Gavin McGowan 0-1; Daithi McGowan 0-1; Cian Rogers 0-1; Conor Rooney 0-1; Podge Byrne 0-1.

Simonstown – Padraig McKeever 0-4 three frees; Nicky O'Brien 0-2; Rory Connor 0-1; Sean Tobin 0-1; Ben Hoey 0-1; Conor Sheridan 0-1 mark.

TEAMS

Ratoath – Shane Duffy; Ciaran O Fearraigh, Conor McGill, Ben Wyer; Jack Gillespie, Gavin McGowan, Andy Gerrard; Ben McGowan, Darragh Kelly; Daithi McGowan, Conor Rooney, Jack Flynn; Cian O'Brien, Bryan McMahon, Cian Rogers. Subs – Tom Fadden for O'Brien, Emmet Boyle for Gerrard both 41 mins, Podge Byrne for Flynn 48m, Connell Ahearne for Rooney 62m

Simonstown – Robert Burlingham; Mark Gardiner, Michael Gavin, Josh Carolan; Brian McGrath, Brian Conlon, Shane Gallagher; Sean Tobin, James Kilcullen; Ben Hoey, Padraig McKeever, Nicky O'Brien; James Heaney, Rory Connor, Andy Kearney. Subs – Conor Sheridan for Kilcullen, Joe Lyons for Connor, Rory O'Connor for Heaney all 43 mins, Shane O'Rourke for Kearney 51m, Shane Barry for O'Brien 57m.

Referee – Cormac Reilly (St Mary's).