Cille’s ease worries with last-gasp win

stood firm, restricting them to just two points.

The seasiders suffered a double whammy in that opening half with the loss of Cathal Hilliard and Stephen Emmett to injuries. However, they managed to edge the exchanges and finished the half leading 0-4 to 0-2.

Scores were marginally easier to come by in a second half that saw Jeff Kavanagh also forced off with an injury and replaced by Brian Kelly.

The Cilles went into an 0-8 to 0-5 lead through some excellent scores from Jack Reynolds, David O’Byrne and two fine points from Lee Browne in his first start at this level, but they were dealt yet another blow when they also lost Adam Lynch through injury.

The closing stages saw Ratoath claw the game back and in added time scored an equaliser to leave the sides tied at 0-9 each.

However, right at the death the experienced Brian Kelly was fouled for a free that was put between the posts by David O’Byrne for the match-winner.

: A Beakey; J McDonnell, C Mullen, F Walsh; S Crilly, I Mullen, S Emmett; J Kavanagh, R McCloskey; A Lynch, D O’Byrne 0-3, E Woods; L Browne 0-2, C Hilliard 0-1, J Reynolds 0-4. Subs: D Meagher for Hilliard, J McElearney for Emmett, B Kelly for Kavanagh, Emmett for Lynch.

•In another Division 1 tie St Patrick’s slumped to a 2-10 to 1-5 defeat at the hands of Na Fianna in Enfield and the Stamullen men now find themselves propping up the division and facing the prospect of relegation.

Sean Rafferty and Dean Barrett scored the goals for the winners, who led 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.