4 Knockout games on the cards

Pairc Tailteann takes centre stage once more this afternoon as it hosts two more quarter finals in the Meath Hurling Championships. The Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim SHC game between last years defeated finalists Ratoath and Blackhall Gaels is the main event while the JM Food Services IHC quarter final between Drumree and Kilskyre/Moylagh is the curtain raiser. There are two semi-finals down for decision in the Junior ranks with Kildalkey and Killyon meeting in the K Windows & Doors JHC while Clann na nGael and Trim do battle in the J2HC.

The games are all ticket and are priced as follows.

Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim SHC & JM Food Services IHC Quarter Finals

Adult – €15
Student/OAP – €10
U-16’s – Free of Charge when accompanied by an adult

K Windows & Doors JHC & J2HC Semi-Finals

Adult – €5
U-16’s – Free of Charge when accompanied by an adult

Tickets for all games can be purchased via the Meath GAA App which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.

Having lost out by three points in the 2022 decider, Ratoath have once more reached the quarter final stages and will have designs on going one better this year. They haven’t yet been able to put a full team out in this years Championship but when they do there are few teams with as much talent as the Mikey Cole managed outfit. The likes of Domhnall Rogers, Liam Corbett, Liam Kelly, Ronan Byrne and Sean Corbett have all progressed out of the Minor ranks in recent seasons to give the side an injection of youth and they have further strengthened the depth of this panel.

The McGowan brothers all remain key operators while Niall McLarnon has been a colossus thus far in the Championship, carrying on his form from the Christy Ring Cup. Padraig O’Hanrahan has switched into the full forward line for today’s game from his more regular midfield berth and he forms a potent looking inside line with Gavin McGowan and Sean Corbett. McGowan has featured fleetingly to date but his first half cameo against Na Fianna showcased how he can be a match winner for his side. His enduring fitness will be key.

Blackhall Gaels came through Group B of the Championship in impressive manner, winning three games and drawing one but somewhat concerning is that after winning their first three encounters, they failed to win either of their last two, drawing with Clann na nGael before losing a high scoring encounter with St. Peter’s Dunboyne in the final round.

Having built up a head of steam early on in the competition, they come into this knockout game now scratching for form a bit and as seen in Navan yesterday, the difference between Group A and Group B can be stark.

How they can stifle the Ratoath forward line will be key and the half back line of Conor Delany, Tom Murphy and Hugh Smith will have a pivotal role in limiting the half forward line while also offering sufficient protection to that ever so dangerous Ratoath inside line. Shane Whitty and Stephen Morris have been colossal around the middle third to date but will need to up their game once more while up front Paul Kelly, Conor Burke and Mark Mullally are all dangerous and will look to punch holes in the Ratoath rearguard while Dermot Carty has been metronomic from frees and will punish any disciplinary indiscretions.

There was something of a perceived upset in the first of the JM Food Services IHC quarter finals yesterday when Donaghmore/Ashbourne coming out of Group B took down Rathmolyon in a thrilling enounter after extra-time. That perception is based on history with Rathmolyon historically being thre stronger force but something is stirring in Ashbourne with the clubs recent revival at juvenile level now beginning to filter through at adult.

Something similar may be happening in the north of the county with Kilskyre/Moylagh seeing some youthful talent coming through in recent seasons of the back of showing very well in Division 1 of the Minor Hurling Championship. Their half forward line has a youthful look to it with all three members yet to celebrate their twentieth birthday. Oisin McDermott, Tom Shine and Kit Og Lynch are all excellent prospects and bring a youthful exuberance to the side while the inside line which features Willie McGrath and Peadar Byrne brings the average age up somewhat. Byrne is said to be a rejuvenated person this year and he offers an excellent focal point to the attack while in defence Benjamin Button (aka Podge Moldoon) is playing as well as ever at full back while Seanie Geraghty is the spiritual leader at centre back.

Drumree have been blowing hot and cold to date with a record in Group A of two wins, one draw and two defeats. They bookended their campaign with victories and drew with Boardsmill in Round 2 but slipped up in Rounds 3 and 4. Those victories showcased what they are capable of and there is no doubt they will need to have one of their better days if they are to progress to the last four as anything else and Kilskyre/Moylagh will see their season extended.

Kevin Bawle and Niall Gavin form an effective midfield partnership while David Reilly’s duel with Seanie Geraghty should he line out as selected at centre forward should prove to be a pivotal battle. The half back line of Jeff Wall, Gareth Rooney and Darragh Walsh form a solid triumvirate while up front Keith Rooney, Sean Doyle and Karl Rogers are all dangerous players.

In the K Windows & Doors JHC semi-final in Boardsmill, Kildalkey and Killyon meet once more, having last met a fortnight ago when Kildalkey ran out six point winners in a game played in Kildalkey. They will be hard stopped here on neutral ground as they look to secure a place in the decider against St. Patrick’s.

Clann na nGael and Trim meet in the J2HC semi-final with a place in the final against Kilskyre/Moylagh on the line. Clann na nGael showed the better form during the group stage and if they continue in that manner then Trim will find it hard to take them down.