DONAGHMORE/ASHBOURNE…1-14
RATOATH…0-12
My late father imparted a nugget of advice a long time ago that was as timeless as it was priceless. That being the reality that “You never see a bookie on a bicycle”. Inference being that when the turf accountants chalk up odds on a given event they very seldom get it wrong.
When they do, though, if you’ve been ballsy enough to take them on, it can be very bountiful exercise indeed. And the local derby you will read about hereafter is exactly the type of scenario which is being referred to here.
Now, the following is not meant as a slight at Ratoath in any way, shape or form. One can only be enviously jealous of what those in Sean Eiffe Park have achieved over the last two decades.
However, that on its own should not have been enough to make their nearest neighbours and rivals 5/2 outsiders in a two horse race.
Nobody could ever doubt that Donaghmore/Ashbourne have been possessed of the ability to win a Meath SFC but given a few disappointing seasons by their own standards, questions as to what has made them into a potent force again this year are wholly valid.
My theory to explain that is very simple – the Moores were for many years weighed down with expectations. Between the facilities in the home of the green and white, the players at their disposal and having some of the most high profile coaches in the game.
From Andy McEntee to Paul Clarke to the Sean Kelly/Sean Barry double act and, more recently, just departed Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan. All the big names and fanfare brings its own pressure and, at this time, the lack of expectations allowed Timmy O’Regan’s team play with more freedom of expression.
Even though they were left with very little wriggle room after losing to Gaeil Colmcille in the first round. But then again, the swashbuckling displays they produced against Simonstown and, in particular, Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels indicated that they were capable of upsetting many people’s expectations. Maybe even their own.
Mind you, if their win over the 2024 kingpins wasn’t impressive enough, the riddling dished out to Trim at the third last hurdle left doubters with no option but to take their prospects seriously.
Now, at this point let the point again be made that Ratoath were worthy short priced favourites but – from a punter’s perspective there’s no way there should have been such a disparity in the chalked up odds between the sides.
A point underlined by the manner in which those who last reigned supreme in the county in 1942 lay up with their highly vaunted opponents right from the getgo.
With the wirey Zack Thornton buzzing around early on and helped himself to three points as the rank outsiders opened up a lead of 0-05 to 0-02 for themselves. However, in truth Kevin Daly’s team were fortunate not to be even further adrift. Which they would have been were it not for a brilliant Devon Burns penalty save.
Indeed, a quick necklace of points from Daithi McGowan, Bryan McMahon and Adam Ducie got the blue and gold back to parity but in the final phase of play for the first half, impressive wing back Sean Tyrrell stole forward and flashed over the making of the underdogs leading by 0-06 to 0-05 at the break.
Early second half scores from Shane Melia, Darragh McGovern and the evergreen Andy Tormey put the wind back in the sails of those in all white for the day before they made their decisive kick for home.
The great Bryan Menton – perhaps a bit subdued by his own impeccable standards up to that point – combined brilliantly with the aforementioned McGovern who then hared through the opponents defence and blasted past Burns to leave those chasing an uprising clear by 1-10 to 0-07 with 11 minutes remaining.
In fairness to Ratoath, they did exactly as all great teams do and had a good go at saving themselves as the burgeoning Ducie slotted over a few magnificent scores to leave just a goal in it heading down the stretch.
Sometimes, though, gut feeling just tells you it’s going to be the day of the underdogs and – as if to underline as such – it was custodian Andy Colgan – who has suffered more heartache than most over the years and had actually been having an off day with his place kicking – strode forward and drilled over the insurance score.
Thereby earning themselves a shot at history. A first Keegan Cup in nearly 80 years and the unique opportunity to capture it on home turf. Sometimes it is written in the stars.
Fág freagra