Ratoath claimed their first ever Delaney Cup success with a hard fought win over a very spirited Moynalvey side at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon October 16th.
Ratoath 0-11 Moynalvey 0-9
Moynalvey would have felt the better of the two teams going in to the dressing rooms at half time. Playing against the wind they trailed Ratoath by a point, 0-4 to 0-3, in a low scoring first half. Ratoath dominated the early exchanges and after twenty minutes led 0-4 to 0-0 with points from Bryan McMahon (2), Eamonn Wallace and Conor Rooney. Driven on by the brilliant Anthony Forde, Moynalvey began to come more into the game. Points from Cillian O’Sullivan, Cathal McCabe and James Kelly closed the gap to a minimum at the break.
Aided by the wind Moynalvey began to take the game to Ratoath. Cillian O’Sullivan had the game level and a James Kelly free pushed them ahead for the first time in the game after ten minutes. County stars Bobby O’Brien, Bryan McMahon along with Eamonn Wallace began to come more in to the game for Ratoath and their ball carrying ability troubled the Moynalvey defence. Ratoath’s Conor Rooney had the game all square at 0-7 each after fifteen minutes. O’Sullivan scored his third point to level the match at eight points each with ten minutes left. Two converted Bryan McMahon frees put some daylight between the teams and a point from Adam Griffith put the winners three points up when the final whistle blew.
After the game Meath Minor Board Chairman John Kavanagh presented the Delaney Cup to Ratoath captain Bryan McMahon while his team mate Bobby O’Brien was presented with the Man of the Match award.
Ratoath: Colm Riordan, Fiachra Dolan, Conor Magill, Paddy Flood, Brian O’Connor, Brian Power, Andrew Flinter, Mark Daly, Daragh Kelly, Jack McGowan, Conor Rooney (0-2), Adam Griffin (0-1), Bobby O’Brien (0-2), Eamonn Wallace (0-1), Bryan McMahon (0-4).
Subs: Joey Wallce (0-1) and Darren Mulvaney
Moynalvey: Chris O’Malley, Conor Egan, Shane Browne, Dane Hoban, Brian Regan, Anthony Forde, Darren Brennan, Padraic Harnan (0-1), Sean Burke, Cathal McCabe (0-1), Cillian O’Sullivan (0-3), Eamon Walsh, Ferghal McCabe, James Kelly (0-4), Brian Harnan.
Sub: David McLoughlin
(Report courtesy of Hoganstand)
