Ratoath end long, long wait for title

Controversial conclusion to engrossing SHC decider

Ratoath...2-15

Trim... 1-16

TOM GANNON

After 61 years Ratoath were crowned SHC champions in Pairc Tailteann today.

Many believed that this final would be an absolute cracker and it certainly didn't disappoint.

A late decision from the referee could have gone either way but the fact that remains is that Ratoath are deserving winners of the clash having been the much stronger side for large parts of the contest.

Trim started the game well and held an early five-point advantage after 15 minutes. Points from Gavin McGowan and Sean Corbett drew Ratoath level.

Podge O'Hanrahan and James Murray traded scores before Ratoath delivered a killer blow in the form of a Jack McGowan goal with eight minutes left in the first half.

Ratoath scored the last four points of the half, two from Gavin McGowan and one apiece from Liam Kelly and O'Hanrahan to give themselves a six-point advantage of 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.

The sides traded scores again early in the second half with Murray and David Murtagh contributing for Trim. O'Hanranhan and Corbett hit back for Ratoath but a mix-up with a puck out led to momentum shifting massively.

James Murray claimed Ratoath's puckout deep into their territory and drove at Gearoid Crowley's goal. The ball fell loose and landed at the feet of Alan Douglas who buried it to the back of the Ratoath net to reduce the gap back to four. Game on.

Further points followed from Joey Cole and Conor Quigley before O'Hanrahan secured a settler in the form of a long-range free.

A long Ratoath ball landed nicely for Daithi McGowan deep in Trim's half and he burst forward to finish to the back of the Trim net to put Ratoath five up in the contest once more.

Points from Murray, Quigley and Douglas brought the gap back to two with very little time on the clock. Trim went in search of a goal and James Toher found himself very close to the Ratoath rectangle when he was fouled.

Firstly the referee signalled for a penalty. After consultation with his umpires, the ref decided that Toher was fouled outside of the rectangle and a free was awarded.

Trim fans were not happy..... Ratoath fans were delighted when Murray's effort from the free was blocked and the final whistle sounded which meant that Ratoath were crowned senior hurling champions for 2024.

Ratoath - Colm O'Riordan; Domhnall Rogers, Cormac Butler, Niall Murphy; Conor McGill, Darragh Kelly, Ben McGowan; Liam Kelly (0-1), Ciaran O'Hanrahan; Jack McGowan (1-0), Cian Rogers, Padraig O'Hanrahan (0-7, three frees, two 65s); Sean Corbett 0-3, Daithi McGowan (1-0), Gavin McGowan (0-4). Subs - Gearoid Crowley for Colm O'Riordan 16m, Bryan McMahon for Corbett 52m, Padraic Byrne for Murphy 59m.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Danny Coleman, Gary Fleming, Ben Holden; Dimmy Higgins, James Toher, Conor Quigley (0-2); Joey Cole (0-1), David Murtagh (0-2); James Andrews, James Murray (0-10, six frees), Pa Ryan; Mark Molloy, Alan Douglas (1-1), Mikey Cole. Subs - Gerry Dwane for Fleming, Eoghan Ryan for Coleman both half-time, Ian Bermingham for Ryan 38m.

* SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE BIG GAME AND DETAILED ANALYSIS, PLUS QUOTES, IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE