Ratoath expected to take advantage of being let off the hook

If this was the Keegan Cup final pairing itself there would be very few complaints as the defending champions Ratoath put their title on the line against 2021 winners Wolfe Tones in the second of next weekend's SFC semi-finals at Pairc Tailteann.

By the time the ball is thrown in at 4.30pm on Sunday both these contenders will know who awaits them in the final, but their focus will solely be on the task in front of them and anything less than total concentration will be their downfall.

On recent form Wolfe Tones will have to fancy their chances. They were impressive in their semi-final win over Simonstown when they were patient against the Navan men's stubborn defence and then lethal when the opportunities presented themselves.

The Kilberry/Oristown side have improved steadily and even though they lost to Summerhill by eight points, in between their group wins over Ballinabrackey and Gaeil Colmcille, they showed enough in their four games to date to suggest they are far from a spent force.

There were concerns that Wolfe Tones were in gradual decline since their Keegan Cup win in 2021, but it is hard to figure out where that conclusion was gathered from.

Last year they topped their group with wins over Skryne, St Colmcille's and Seneschalstown, they marched into the semi-finals with victory over Gaeil Colmcille before coming up short against Summerhill.

So in the last three years in championship football Wolfe Tones have only been beaten by one team (Summerhill in 2022 and 2023) and in that spell they have also beaten Ratoath on their way to winning the crown. So rumours of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Maybe it was their A FL Div 1A form that cast doubt into some minds? After all they did lose five of the 11 games they played and and conceded a walkover in another. Hardly the type of form that suggested they would be genuine championship contenders.

However, the reality of Wolfe Tones' early form is that they were without a number of key men including Dan O'Neill, Adam O'Neill and Thomas O'Reilly who were all in with Meath. Cian Ward timed his return to the fold to peak for championship while younger players were given their chance to impress.

It has been a superb 'long grass' job by manager Paddy Martin. He has played the 'everyone wrote us off' card to perfection and now they are right back in the hunt and ready to take on a startled Ratoath side that have wobbled in recent weeks.

In their quarter-final against Dunshaughlin Ratoath got out of jail. They trailed by three points in injury-time and looked doomed, but they are not champions for no reason and they never panicked.

Composure and confidence has been the hallmark of this team, a side that are looking for their fourth Keegan Cup in five years - they don't get frustrated or flustered.

Ben McGowan's late, late goal against Dunshaughlin wasn't a fluke. Ratoath were patient in their build up. They moved their players into the positions they wanted them to be and when the right ball was delivered at the right time it caused problems which McGowan capitalised on - true champion spirit.

After coasting through the opening two games of the group campaign with a positive scoring difference of 32 points Ratoath slumped to a shock defeat against St Colmcille's.

That loss could have knocked the champions off their stride, but they took it on the chin, steadied themselves during the eight-count and bounced back to knock out Dunshaughlin.

Ratoath have been hit by injuries all over the field, but they are a dangerous animal when wounded. They have players who are just coming back to full fitness and this will be a tough one to call.

With Gavin McGowan, Conor McGill and Bryan McMahon recovered from injury, Jack Flynn in flying form in midfield and a bench that others can only dream off Ratoath are still the ones to beat.

However, they cannot afford another lackadaisical approach. If they are at anything less than their 100% best then Wolfe Tones will capitalise.

Wolfe Tones will have Saran O Fionnagain back from suspension, but there is the feeling that once Dunshaughlin failed to plunge the stake through the Ratoath heart when they had the chance they gave the champions a second bite and Kevin Reilly's side are not prepared to let go of that cherry just yet. It will be tight, very tight, but Ratoath are still alive and kicking. Verdict - Ratoath.