Leinster League 3: Sunday 22.01.23

North Meath 34-8 Ratoath

North Meath turned on the style for their final Leinster league game of the season. The game was essentially a coronation given that the club secured the title with their win against Clane the previous week.

And the home team got off to a glorious start when winger Ruben Mostert finished off a great move to score in the opening minute. Oisin McDermott added the conversion as well as a penalty shortly after to put North Meath 10 points up in as many minutes.

Eanna Finn runs for the line

When Oisin McDermott put Jordan Herring away for a second try on the 20 minute mark, a heavy score looked on the cards.

But Ratoath fought back strongly and were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty to reduce the gap to 12 points.

Wave after wave

North Meath then enjoyed a period of pressure, thanks to some strong carries from Patrick Farnan and great distribution from Louis Finnegan. Mostert was stopped just short of the line after a great backs move. And then a turnover from Henry Armstrong won possession, which then led to Senan McDermott going under the posts to make it 22-3.

Senan McDermott scores try number three

However, Ratoath rallied again and scored on the stroke of half-time to make the score 22-8 and remind the sizeable home crowd that the game was not over.

It was the visitors that started the second half the better and they were camped in the North Meath 22 for long periods. But just when a try seemed inevitable, the North Meath defence held out. Oisin McDermott stole the ball at the breakdown and the ball was worked to winger Brian O’Connor who made good yards to get the home team out of trouble.

Man of the match Brian O'Connor

That passage of play took its toll on the visitors while also waking up North Meath. O’Connor continued to make ground with the ball and some important tackles without the ball in a man-of-the-match performance.

There was also a welcome return for full-back Joe Carry who had picked up an injury at the start of the season as well as eye-catching cameos from Ben Shine, Paul Butler and John Lyon.

Joe Carry returns from injury

Meanwhile, the pack were starting to dominate and it was no surprise when prop Theo Chamberlayne-Daye and second rower Graham Boland both scored late in the half to put a gloss on the result.

It was then left to co-captains Eanna Finn and Padraic McGurl to accept the Leinster League trophy from Leinster Rugby president Debbie Carty and hold it aloft to some hearty cheers from the gathered crowd.

With the league over, North Meath will now look to the various cup competitions that remain this season and then the hard work will start on ensuring the club, in the next season and beyond, continues its journey up the Leinster leagues.

Team: Jordan Herring, Curtis Hunter, Oisin McDermott, Eanna Finn, Ruben Mostert, Conor Grey, Nathan Kiernan, Padraic McGurl, Sean Gilsenan, Theo Chamberlayne Daye, Sam Bashford, Ciaran Cullen, Patrick Farnan, Cailum Kiernan, Senan McDermott,

Replacements: Henry Armstrong, Eoin Briody, Louie Finnegan, Paul Butler, Andrew Dowds, Joe Carry, Brian O’Connor, John Lyon

Tries: Mostert, Herring, Senan McDermott, Boland, Chamberlayne Daye

Convs: Oisin McDermott (3)

Pens: Oisin McDermott

*Pictures courtesy of Pascal Reilly and Mark Wiseman