Michael Dunne Cup Final – Carlow 15, Ratoath 17
Carlow’s Junior 4 side came agonisingly close to bringing back some 2019 silverware to the Club on Sunday but were narrowly beaten in the final of the Michael Dunne Cup at Kilcock by Ratoath Co Meath.
The Carlow team, a mix of maturity and youth, had come together late in the season to contest this Cup. Following a good win over Kilkenny in the semi final Carlow travelled to Kilcock full of optimism but once again the North Kildare venue proved unlucky for the Oakpark side.
On Sunday the failure to convert and of their three tries left Carlow with the two point deficit. Ratoath’s 17 points came from two converted tries plus a penalty.
Carlow’s three tries were all scored by their speedy young full back Conal Brennan. The first touchdown came after nine minutes after the ball was spread wide to the right. Ratoath replied with a penalty but a second Brennan try on 20 minutes gave a Barrowsiders a 10 – 3 lead. Ratoath scored under the posts just before half time to bring the sides level at 10 points each at the interval.
In the second half Carlow mounted the pressure on the County Meath side but failed to convert this advantage into points. Instead it was Ratoath that broke through five minutes from time to score their second converted try.
Trailing by 17 to 10 Carlow were stung into action and into a hectic final few minutes. By moving the ball out wide Conal Brennan was put trough for his third try. Again the conversion from out wide was narrowly missed.
In the last play of the game Carlow though that they had got through for a fourth try but the referee ruled that the ball had been held up and immediately blew the whistle for full time.
Carlow
Conal Brennan, Stuart O Malley, Alan Nolan, Thomas Ratahi, Eoin Rea, Barry Purcell, Cathal Byrne, Aaron Owens, JD Swayne, Philip Lonergan, Gordon Rowe, Wes Whitton, Matt Murray, Barry Waddock, Sean Hennessey.
Subs
Zach Fitzhenry, Stephen Gray, Eddie Barron, Luke Curran, William Kelly.
