The combination of Gaeil Colmcille and Loughcrew Gaels faced Ratoath in the Minor Hurling Division Championship Final in Páirc Tailteann.
It was Ratoath who made the best of the starts with the opening two points of the game. The Gaels would have to wait until the 13th minute when Centre-Forward Tom Shine struck over. Ratoath pushed three points clear and another point from Shine reduced the lead to two points at the first half water break.
Ratoath were finding scores easier to get and two more in the 16th and 19th minute saw them stretch four points clear. Credit to the Gaels the knuckled down and a wonderful point from James McDonnell was followed by an equal effort from Shine.
Whenever the Gaels gained any momentum Ratoath reacted well and hit their seventh point of the half with 27 minutes played. There was still time for one more score and it would be that man again for The Gaels Tom Shine as he struck over a free before Half-time to see them go in 0-07 to 0-05 behind.
The Gaels got the perfect start to second half when Substitute Tiernan Anderson point to leave a single point between the teams. Once again Ratoath came storming back and added two points, the latter cancelled out by another Shine point to leave Ratoath 0-09 to 0-07 at the Second half water break.
The opening goal of the game came straight after the restart after a long ball into the danger area and the Ratoath man pulled on the ball and The Gaels couldn’t keep the from looping over the line. A point for the South Meath side saw them lead by six points with 10 minutes remaining.
Kit Óg Lynch steadied the Gaels ship with a wonderful score off left side under the stand in Pairc Tailteann but one minute later Ratoath added a second goal much to the disappointment of the Gaels contingent.
Trailing by 8 points The Gaels pushed hard for a goal but could only tag on two more points thanks to Shine and McDonnell and referee Derek Ryan blew for full-time to delight of the Ratoath crowd.
Gaeil Colmcille/Loughcrew Gaels: Tommy McKeown, Matthew Farrelly, Jack Connell, Taidgh Dardis, Sean Thornton, Daire Shine, Eoin Briody, Oisin McDermott, Oisin O’Reilly, Rian Early, Tom Shine(0-06, 0-03f), James McDonnell (0-02), Hughie Corcoran, Fergal Flynn, Kit Óg Lynch (0-01)
Subs: Tiernan Anderson (0-01), Conall McGovern, John Gormley, Ronan Cunning, Andrew Gormley, Darren O’Higgins
