U14 Division 4 Cup final: Ratoath edge extra-time thriller

2 October 2026

Oisin Rennicks St. Ultans/Cortown Gaels with Ratoath keeper Scott Keegan during the Under 14 Division 4 Cup final at Skryne

Ratoath 2-17 St Ultan’s/Cortown Gaels 4-6

Extra-time was needed to separate these two evenly matched teams in a very entertaining U14 Division 4 Cup final played in perfect conditions at Skryne. In the end, a late 1-3 swung the tie in favour of Ratoath. PHOTOS

Both teams got off to a perfect start. Evan Kelly netted for the winners, while at the other end Seán Casserly raised a green flag for St Ultan’s/Cortown Gaels. A 1-2 contribution from stylish corner-forward Lorcan Codd put the combination side in front after ten minutes.

Ratoath responded with three unanswered points courtesy of Antonio Cooper, Cullen Smyth and Michael Ryan to take the lead, but Codd had the last say and the teams went into the half-time break level at 2-3 to 1-6.

Thomas Murray and Codd gave the boys in white and green an early second-half lead before Ratoath took over. A brace from Conor Fitzgerald and Smyth gave them a two-point advantage heading into the final ten minutes.

Despite numerous chances, St Ultan’s/Cortown Gaels struggled in front of goal and, with time against them, they needed inspiration from somewhere. Codd provided it with an excellent goal and victory was in sight.

Ratoath refused to surrender and, with time almost up, defender Nicholas Clarke pointed to send the game to extra-time on a 3-5 to 1-11 scoreline.

Codd pushed St Ultan’s/Cortown Gaels in front, but a brace from the influential Greg Campbell gave Ratoath a one-point advantage at the end of the first ten-minute period.

Cooper made it a two-point lead with the first score of the second period. Charlie Brennan then stepped up with a great goal to wrestle back the lead.

Ratoath were not to be denied. Cooper levelled matters, Evan Kelly gave them the lead, Joe Jordan raised their second green flag and Kelly completed the scoring with another point as Ratoath secured the title.

After the game, Joe O’Brien presented the cup to Ratoath captain Evan Kelly.

Ratoath: Scott Keegan, Aidan Dempsey, Aaron Murphy, Nicholas Clarke 0-1, Senan Brady, Kayden Clarke, Antonio Cooper 0-4, Evan Kelly 1-2, Cullen Smyth 0-4, Shane Daly 0-1, Leo Goodall, Conor Fitzgerald 0-2, Michael Ryan 0-1, Adam Duffy, Elliott Prendergast, Joe Jordan 1-0, Mason McDonagh, Matthew Woods, Mike O’Gorman, Noah Grant, Greg Campbell 0-2, Leo Shally.

St Ultan’s/Cortown Gaels: Cormac Conway, Liam Molloy, Aaron Burke, James Callaghan, Adam Downes, Conall Durcan, Thomas Murray 0-1, Christy Brennan, Oisin Rennicks, Charlie Brennan 1-0, Tadhg Barrett, Seán Casserly 1-0, Lorcan Codd 2-5, Nico Riza, Jamie Talbot, William Kelly, Dara Fitzsimons, Oisin Doherty, Charlie Martin.

Referee: Paul Reilly.