Report Courtsey of Hoganstand.com

David Larkin’s stoppage time goal earned Summerhill a dramatic SFC round three win over Ratoath at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening

Summerhill ……. 1-10
Ratoath ………… 1-9

Larkin pounced on a poor clearence to net at the hospital end of the county ground. There was still time for Ratoath to retain their unbeaten start to the championship, but Cian Rogers was wide with the last meaningful action of the game.  The outcome throws Group B wide open. Ratoath led for most of the game but accumulated 11 wides to Summerhill’s three. One area Ratoath were superior was in their alternative strip, which was easy to follow. Summerhill’s was not so helpful.  When Ratoath sub Eamon Wallace netted a 57th minute penalty to restore his side’s lead. Despite the wastefulness in front of goal, Davy Byrne’s men looked to set to retain winning ways. Conditions were mostly overcast, occasionally blustery, much improved on the previous day.  

Last year’s runners-up Summerill were backed by the wind blowing into town goal in the opening 30 minutes that were largely mediocre.  David McGowan’s trio of scores (including on 45 from out on the right) and good tracking back for prevent a Summerhill point attempt were highlights. Ratoath responded to the concession of the opening score, a Barry Dardis free, with five scores on the spin to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 midway through the half. Paul Larkin resplied with Summerhill sole first-half score from play. David McGowan countered that to make it 0-6 to 0-2 to Ratoath after 25 minutes.  Two Dardis frees halved the deficit to leave Summerhill 0-4 to 0-6 in arrears having been backed by a swirling wind in the opening period. 

Within three minutes of the restart, Gavin McGowan increased the Ratoath lead. Summerhill bossed the scoring in the remainder of the third quarter with four scorers. Davy Dalton’s 44th minute point levelled matters for the second time, 0-8-each. The remainder of the game was closely contested with Summerhill regaining the lead through Barry Dardis’ 51st minute point. 

It was the prelude to a dramatic finale that proved success owes much to economy. 

Summerhill – Tony McDonnell; John Lavelle, Willie Ryan, Iarla Hughes ; Ross Ryan, Ronan Ryan, Padraig Geraghty (0-1); John Keane, Michael Byrne, Kevin Ryan, David Larkin (1-0), Liam Shaw; Barry Dardis (0-6 5fs), David Dalton (0-1), Paul Larkin (0-2). Subs – Stephen Husband for Hughes (ht), Conor Lyons for Shaw (35), Diarmuid McCabe for K Ryan (49), Conor Frayne for Dardis (59)

Ratoath – Shane Duffy; Sean Brazil, Luke Newe, Ben Wyer; Emmet Boyle, Gavin McGowan (0-1), Jack McGowan; Keith McCabe, Ben McGowan (0-1); David McGowan (0-5, 1 45), 1f), Garreth Rooney, Brian O’Connor; Connell Ahearne (0-1 f), Conor Rooney, Bryan McMahon (0-1 f). Subs – Cian O’Brien for J McGowan (ht), Cian Rogers for G Rooney (41), Darragh Kelly for C Rooney (46), Eamon Wallace (1-0 pen) for McCabe (55),