Ratoath resist late Kilmessan surge to claim title

One down two to go. Ratoath won the first leg of what could prove to be a treble of hurling titles this weekend when they defeated Kilmessan 2-11 to 1-11 in the 2020 JHC final at Pairc Tailteann this evening.

Tomorrow the club field teams in both the 2020 MHC and SHC finals and victory in those competitions would complete a truly memorable few days for the club.

They trailed for much of today's JHC showdown but they fought back to take the lead and hold off a late Kilmessan surge to claim the silverware.

Wind and rain-assisted Kilmessan led 0-7 to 0-4 at the break but Ratoath made a big breakthrough early in the second-half when Shane McGoldrick skilfully deflected the ball to the net from a Luke Farrell centre.

Ratoath landed what proved to be a crucial second goal on 58 minutes when Brian Moore won the ball in a crowded goalmouth and fired low to the net to put his side 2-10 to 0-11 in front.

However a minute later Kilmessan cut Ratoath's lead to just two points when Ger O'Neill crossed for Kevin O'Reilly and he skilfully directed the ball to the net.

Kilmessan were denied a strong penalty claim in the frantic closing minutes and with captain Robert Small pointing for Ratoath from a '65' in injury time it was they who ended up with the victory.

Damien O'Meara made a big contribution to the victory with six points from frees with Stephen Cooper, Toirdealhac O'Neill, Sean Keogh, Small also among those to fire over.

Kyle Smith also played a major part in keeping Kilmessan in the game with eight points while Paul O'Brien, Mark Munnelly and goalkeeper Conor Gorman (from a '65') were others to contribute scores.

Padraig Maguire was outstanding for Kilmessan but even he couldn't prevent Ratoath marching to victory.

SCORERS

Ratoath - Damien O'Meara 0-6 frees; Shane McGoldrick 1-0; Brian Moore 1-0; Stephen Cooper 0-2; Toirdealhac O'Neill 0-1; Sean Keogh 0-1; Robert Small 0-1 '65.'

Kilmessan - Kyle Smith 0-8, seven frees; Kevin O'Reilly 1-0; Paul O'Brien 0-1; Mark Munnelly 0-1; Conor Gorman 0-1 '65'.

TEAMS

Ratoath - Colm O'Riordan; Sean Brazil, Sean Murphy, Sam Coughlan; Pierce Butler, Robert Small, James McCann; Luke Farrell, Sean Keogh; Tadhg McCann, Stephen Cooper, Brian Moore; Shane McGoldrick, Toirdealhac O'Neill, Damien O'Meara. Subs - Adam Whelan for McCann 38 mins, Kieran Stokes for O'Neill 39m, Paul Kirwan for T McCann 49m, Sean Laffey for McGoldrick 58m.

Kilmessan - Conor Gorman; Padraig Maguire, Mark Munnelly, Richard Donnelly; Martin Horan, Paul O'Brien, David Hackett; Paul O'Brien, Danny Thynne; Eoin Jack Keoghan, Kyle Smith, Aidan Mangan; Cian Maguire, Charles Keena, Ger O'Neill. Subs - Kevin O'Reilly for Keoghan 23 mins, Fionn Maguire for Keena half-time.

Referee - Niall Burke (Na Fianna).