Ratoath end 61-year title wait after nervy finale

Ratoath 2-15 Trim 1-16

Having waited since 1963 for a Meath senior hurling championship title success, Ratoath were hardly likely to do it the easy way.

So it proved in Navan, where the Brownstown men finally ended their long wait for local glory - but not before enduring one last heart in the mouth moment.

Leading by two points, with the three allotted minutes of stoppage time already played, it looked as if their old nemesis Trim had been handed a dramatic lifeline in the form of a penalty.

Trim fans were certainly under the impression that referee Conor Ferguson had signalled a penalty for a drag down of James Toher but following consultation between the match officials, a free in was eventually awarded.

James Murray, Trim's top scorer and their placed ball specialist, went for goal but his shot was blocked and the follow up effort flew wide.

It was the last action of the game and whilst Ratoath celebrated a famous win, following three losses in the previous four finals, Trim fans booed as Ferguson and his officials departed the pitch.

Ratoath had four McGowan brothers on the field and three of them, goalscorers Jack and Daithi, along with Gavin, combined for 2-04 between them.

County man and free-taker Padraig O'Hanrahan hit 0-08 though endured a couple of nervous moments in the closing stages as two of his efforts flew wide, keeping Trim just about in it.

A number of Ratoath players, including former football All-Star nominee Conor McGill, have now won senior football and hurling medals.

They will return to duty on 16 November in the Leinster intermediate club championship, against John Henderson's Bray Emmets.

Ratoath, with the highly regarded Donal Franks in their corner as coach, trailed by two points here after the