The Downs fend off Ratoath in Leinster thriller

The Downs 2-12 Ratoath 0-17

Exactly 50 years after their last AIB Leinster club SFC final appearance, Westmeath's The Downs are back in another provincial decider after a thrilling 2-12 t 0-17 win over Meath champions Ratoath.

Goals from Ciaran Moran and Niall Mitchell, and 0-05 from Tailteann Cup winner Luke Loughlin, secured the 1972 finalists a ticket to this year's decider back at Croke Park on 4 December.

But it was a mighty struggle in the end with the Lake County champions almost blowing a late six-point lead.

The Downs lost attacker Andrew Kilmartin to a second yellow card in the 57th minute, fuelling a comeback which was already underway from Ratoath who struck the game's last five points to get within one.

Ratoath's Jack Flynn had a 67th-minute kick from a free to level it but his effort from an acute angle on the left wing tailed wide and The Downs escaped to victory.

Ratoath came into the contest as slight underdogs though buoyed by their quarter-final win over an ultra-experienced Rhode team, the club's first in the provincial senior championship.

The Downs pounce on a Ratoath mistake in defence as Ciarán Nolan drills home the first goal of the game. Ratoath respond with four points on the spin and the sides are level at the break 1-07 to 0-10 Watch the game live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer