Ratoath retained the Jubilee Cup after a 2-22 to 4-10 win over Kiltale in this afternoon’s Meath senior hurling championship final replay at Pairc Tailteann.

Daithi McGowan got the scoreboard working for the victors in Navan, helping them to lead by 0-5 to 0-3 by the end of the first quarter.

Peter Durnin and Jack Regan sent over points at the other end that had the sides level, but Ratoath, playing some of their best hurling of the year, opened up a 1-12 to 0-5 lead afterwards.

Gavin McGowan picked out Bryan McMahon for the game’s opening goal with five minutes remaining in the half.

Hugh O’Sullivan brought Kiltale back into the game after the restart with a goal. The former five-in-a-row champions were dealt a blow by the end of the third quarter however with the sending off of the influential Philly Garvey.

Fine efforts from Podge O’Hanrahan and Bryan McMahon opened up a 10-point advantage (1-16 to 1-6) for Ratoath and, as this replay decider entered its closing 10 minutes, they’d all but have their name on trophy once Cian Rogers struck their second goal.

Regan kept Kiltale’s hopes alive with their first goal and another major from Adam Murphy left eight points in it with six minutes left.

However, there was to be no comeback this time from John O’Donoghue’s men despite a fourth goal from a Regan free in injury time. Rogers and O’Hanrahan closed out the game with points and the Jubilee Cup was heading back to Ratoath for another winter.

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