Ratoath get the better of Simonstown in high-scoring encounter

The scores arrived like raindrops in a downpour at Ashbourne this evening as Ratoath defeated 5-16 to 3-14 to get their SFC campaign up and running in style.

The lovely warm evening and big crowd in attendance provided a perfect backdrop for this encounter and the teams certainly provided plenty of entertainment.

Ahead 4-8 to 0-11 at the break the scores continued to flow in the second-half for Ratoath with Cian Rogers getting two goals while Jack Flynn, Joey Wallace and Daithi McGowan also found the target over the hour.

Bryan McMahon also made a significant contribution with six points and Ratoath had another few chances to find the net.

Simonstown's Padraig McKeever a marvellous display with 2-8 with Niall Kane another to make the net dance for Colm O'Rourke's team who found it difficult to deal with Ratoaht's pace.

The Gaels also had chances to add to their goal tally in this very open affair while Robbie Burlingham made the save of the match denying Bobby O'Brien with a point-blank stop.

It was that kind of game.

"It was nice but I wouldn't call it overly impressive it was like a two point game at times. We have a lot of things to work on," said Ratoath manager David Brady.

SCORERS

Ratoath - Cian Rogers 2-1; Bryan McMahon 0-6 three frees; Jack Flynn 1-2 one free, one '45''; Daithi McGowan 1-1 free; Joey Wallace 1-1; Eamon Wallace 0-3; Gavin McGowan 0-1.

Simonstown Gaels - Padraig McKeever 2-8; Niall Kane 1-0; Ben Hoey 0-1; Andrew Kearney 0-1.