Experience could be key as Ratoath bid for sixth successive semi-final

SFC PREVIEW Dynamic Dunshaughlin out to maintain their top form

Initially it was planned to play this SFC quarter-final clash between Dunshaughlin and Ratoath in Ashbourne next Friday evening, but then commonsense prevailed.

In what is undoubtedly the tie of the round between two leading contenders according to those who believe they know best this quarter-finals deserves the best stage available and next Saturday evening in Pairc Tailteann at 5pm should cater for the expected huge crowd.

These two clashed at the same stage last year and produced one of the most memorable encounters of the year, if not the highest scoring.

Trailing by six points at the three-quarters stage the then defending champions looked on the brink of elimination by the IFC champions from 2022.

Even deep into injury-time Ratoath still trailed by two points, but just as they often have a habit of doing Ratoath finished in a flourish and grabbed a late, late goal to seal a remarkable 1-9 to 1-8 win.

Lesser teams than Dunshaughlin would have crumbled under the weight of that devastating loss, but they have bounced back better than before and if anything they look like an even more formidable outfit.

After cruising to the A FL Div 2 title Dunshaughlin maintained their high levels into the championship and finished the 'Group of Death' that included champions Summerhill, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Ballinabrackey, with three wins and a scoring difference of +23 points.

There is a swagger about Dunshaughlin. They have a polished, highly regarded management team led by Richie Kealy and that includes Paul Curran and David Gallagher and a panel of players that appear hungry and brimming with confidence.

Some of the finest young players in the county are plying their club trade with Dunshaughlin. They have a litany of stars from midfield colossus Conor Gray, defensive rocks Jared Rushe and Adam Kealy and attacking options all over the place with Ruairi Kinsella and probably Meath's best player in 2024 Mathew Costello.

It is easy to see why the knowledgeable Bookmakers have Dunshaughlin have second favourites, just behind defending champions Summerhill.

However, despite going so close last year and all the success they have enjoyed in Div 2 and at intermediate level, there is one this that Dunshaughlin are just short of at the moment - experience.

That is something that Ratoath have in abundance and when games gets down to the nitty-gritty it is often that valuable bank of knowledge that proves to be decisive. Ratoath were not near their best last year yet still reached the county final and only lost out after extra-time.

This year, they were slow to get going under their new management and their opening round loss to Skryne seems to have been the boot up the backside they needed.

Ratoath swept passed Trim to get their campaign back on track and then hit 8-19 in their demolition of Rathkenny - they seem to be only getting better and better.

That uptake in form coincides with the return from injury and America of key players. With Eamon Wallace and Jack Flynn back on board since that loss to Skryne, Ratoath have looked a different outfit.

They have also been slowly able to re-integrate Conor McGill, Daithi McGowan and others back into the team and with a panel that is the envy of most sides they look to be hitting their straps at the right time.

If Ratoath are to reach their sixth semi-final in succession they will have to overcome the form team in the county.

Dunshaughlin are a side capable of blowing any opponent away and they proved against Summerhill in round two that they can also win tight contests.

This has all the ingredients for the game of the year, let's hope it doesn't disappoint. For one team there will be disappointment and experience might just give Ratoath the edge.