Bonkers Finish Sees Ratoath Come Back From Dead In Meath Football Final

The Ratoath players looked shocked at the final whistle of the Meath Senior Football Championship final on Sunday, and they were the ones who had just won the game.

Ratoath were three points and a man down as late as the 66th minute but a 68th minute goal from substitute Joey Wallace won the game for the reigning champions.

With the clock well over the indicated seven minutes of injury time, Ratoath's Kevin Nally hit desperate high ball toward the Gaeil Colmcille goal. It was knocked across the square to Wallace who fisted to the net.

It was a tight game throughout. Gaeil Colmcille, who were looking to win their first Meath senior title since 1991, levelled the game in the 60th minute through a free from Seamus Mattimoe.

Two and a half minutes prior, Ratoath substitute Emmett Boyle had been shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Gaeil Colmcille's Conal Courtney.

In the 61st minute, Mattimoe was fouled in the square and referee David Coldrick awarded a penalty. Gaeil Colmcille's Brian Hanlon side-footed the ball to the bottom right corner as Barry O'Callaghan dived the other way.

Aaron Lynch knocked over a free for Ratoath in the 66th minute to bring them to within two points. Three minutes later, Ratoath were celebrating following Wallace's goal as they won 1-14 to 1-13.

See Also: '48 Years Is A Long Time For This Club. We're A Big Club'