Meath SFC final: Wallace breaks Gaeil Colmcille hearts
October 04, 2020
James Reilly of Gaeil Colmcille is tackled by Ratoath's Andrew Gerrard
Ratoath 1-14
Gaeil Colmcille 1-13
Just when it seemed Ratoath had surrendered their SFC title to Gaeil Colmcille Joey Wallace rescued them with a stoppage time goal.
Moving into the sixth minute of added time Gaeil Colmcille were preparing to receive the Keegan Cup for the first time since 1991.
Instead. Ratoath are on the cusp of the first senior double since Navan O'Mahonys successes in 1985. They face Trim in the SHC final next Sunday.
The outcome was cruel on Gaeil Colmcille, but emphasised the benefit of persisence.
From the concession of a needless line ball by Gaeil Colmcille, Andrew Gerrard's delivery resulted on a goalmouth scramble during which Joey Wallace forced the ball to the net.
In the minute or so remaining, Gaeil Colmcille were unable to salvage their title bid as their frustrating run in the knockout stages continues.
Joey Wallace, who lined out instead of Darragh Kelly, finished with 1-3 from play. He deservedly scooped the Colum Cromwell man-of-the-match award.
Apart from being the final's top scorer from play, his pace was a thorn for the Gaeil Colmcille rearguard and provided openings for team mates.
In a few minutes matters had turned 180 degrees. In the 60th minute Seamus Mattimoe was fouled Ratoath 'keeper Shane Duffy. Brian Hanlon wrong-footed the Monaghan man when slotting to the net.
Gaeil Colmcille mades changes in a bid to shore up their rearguard. But, they backfired as Ratoath's resilience was rewarded with a second title.. They were a man down following sub Emmet Boyle's 55th minute dismissal.
The sides were tied six times over the course of a gripping contest in which both sides looked set to kick-on and take the title.
Lar Wall's men closed the first-half well to lead by 0-9 to 0-6 at the break, with two Hanlon frees closing the first-half.
In the improving conditions, the wind wasn't as big a factor as earlier in the day, Ratoath had whatever advantage the elements offered in the second 30 minutes.
But the disciplined Kells-men were digging in. Two Bryan McMahon points ensured Brian Farrell's men regained parity, 0-12 to 0-12, by the water break.
Joey Wallace set the tone for the final quarter with fisted point following a run through the Gaeil Colmcille defence. The scoring rate dipped in the final stages but the excitement grew.
First, Hanlon's goal looked to have given Gaeil Colmcille a third title. There was to be one final dramatic twist.
The tension of the occasion was amplified by five scores in the opening six minutes with the holders leading twice and Gaeil Colmcille having a brief spell in pole position when James Reilly pointed in the third minute.
With Jack Flynn and Cian Rogers dropping deep, soon Ratoath moved 0-5 to 0-2 clear. Joey Wallace was won of the scorers in this phase.
A productive spell yielded three points in as many minutes Brian O'Hanlon and Seamus Mattimoe to the fore. By the water break the Kells-side led by 0-6 to 0-5.
Ratoath were forced to line out with the injured Darragh Kelly while injury denied Gaeil Colmcille of the services of Johnny Quigley. He was replaced by Adam Muldoon. In the Gaeil Colmcille
The occasion wasn't helped by the difficulty in identifying players on both sides. On the plus side Bryan McMahon's speech reflected well on him and his club.
Scorers: Ratoath - Joey Wallace 1-3; Bryan McMahon 0-6 (4fs); Daithi McGowan 0-4 (3fs, 1 45); Cian O'Brien 0-1..
Gaeil Colmcille - Brian Hanlon 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-4fs); Seamus Mattimoe 0-4 (3fs); Conall Courtney, James Reilly,Liam Ferguson, Evan Sheridan 0-1 each.
Ratoath - Shane Duffy; Ciaran O Fearraigh, Conor McGill, Ben Wyer; Jack Gillespie, Gavin McGowan, Andrew Gerrard; Ben McGowan, Joey Wallace; Daithi McGowan, Cian Rogers, Conor Rooney; Cian O'Brien, Bryan McMahon (C), Jack Flynn. Subs - Eamon Wallace for (38), Emmet Boyle for Gillespie (44), Connell Ahearne for Rooney (50), Keith McCabe for O'Brien (54), Darragh Kelly for B McGowan (60).
16 - Sean Johnson, Sean Brazil, John Walsh, Emmett Boyle, Jack McGowan, Daragh McGill, Connell Ahearne, Tom Fadden, Keith McCabe, 25 Padraic Byrne, Brian O'Connor, Joey Wallace, Gavin Horan,29 Eamonn Wallace, Garreth Rooney, Cormac Butler, Luke Newe, Brian Daly, Tiernan Ahearne, Peter Barry.
Gaeil Colmcille - Justin Carry Lynch; Jordan Muldoon, Paul Tormey, James Reilly; Adam Muldoon, Seanie Curran, Fionn Reilly; Liam Ferguson (C), Oisin Reilly; Evan Sheridan, Phillip Ward, Conall Courtney; Seamus Mattimoe, Martin Barrett, Brian O'Hanlon. Subs - Barry Smith for K Reilly (38), Barry Tormay for Curran (47), Keith Reilly for Courtney (57), Ryan Farnham for Hanlon (63), Cian Doogan for Barrett (64).
Referee - David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels)
