Rathkenny lacking Ratoath firepower

Ratoath Rathkenny 1-12 0-10

RATOATH edged closer to the knockout stages of the SFC as they extended their unbeaten run in Group C at Bohermeen last Friday evening.

Fergie Power’s side were pushed all the way, but they had too much knowhow for a Rathkenny team that was always chasing the game and struggled in the scoring department.

Points within three minutes of the start from Bryan McMahon and Joey Wallace gave Ratoath a cushion they never relinquished at any stage of proceedings. They led 0-7 to 0-5 at the break and extended their lead to eight points in the final quarter.

Rathkenny finished with the last three scores to put some respectability on the scoreboard at the final whistle.

Midfielder Caolach Halligan accounted for seven of Rathkenny’s points, six of which came from frees. With Conor McGill and Brian Power dominating at full back and centre back respectively, the Rathkenny attack, which included county selector Donal Curtis, found it difficult to create worthwhile chances.

Ratoath had no such problems at the other end as McMahon and Joey Wallace tormented the Rathkenny rearguard throughout. McMahon top-scored with five points, while Wallace hit three.

Gavin McGowan completed a potent full forward line and it was his goal on 40 minutes that left it 1-8 to 0-5. McMahon extended that lead before the end of the third quarter.

The game was approaching the final quarter before Owen Elliott opened Rathkenny’s second-half account with a fisted point when he might have gone for goal. Halligan then blasted over the bar on 51 minutes when his effort could easily have gone under it.

Brian O’Connor’s effort a minute later left eight between the teams and Halligan pointed twice after that for Rathkenny, RATOATH: Shane Duffy; Ciaran O Ferraigh, Conor McGill, Emmet Boyle; Brian O’Connor 0-1, Brian Power, Enda Cahill; Cian O’Brien, Ben McGowan; Keith McCabe 0-1, Eamon Wallace 0-1, Conor Rooney; Joey Wallace 0-3, Gavin McGowan 1-1, Bryan McMahon 0-5 (2f). Subs: Jack Gillespie for Cahill (h-t), Darragh Kelly for B McGowan (42), Daithi McGowan for McCabe (53).

RATHKENNY: Richie Timmons; Keith Timmons, Ross Gore, Mark Byrne; Christy Meade, Donal Keogan, Jack Thompson; Caolach Halligan 0-7 (6f), Robbie Garry; Jack Gore 0-1, Brian Lenehan, Ivan Lenehan; Owen Elliott 0-1, James Macken, Donal Curtis 0-1. Subs: Stephen Crosbie for Meade (BC 40), Evan Crosbie for Elliott (55), Adam Brennan for Curtis (58).

REFEREE: Liam O’Brien (Duleek-Bellewstown)