Summerhill put squeeze on Ratoath as Clare gets better of pal Galvin

A year after working together in the Kilmacud Crokes backroom team, David Clare and Kerry great Paul Galvin found themselves on opposite sides of the Meath SFC final

Summerhill’s Jamie O'Shea celebrates with his team. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Meath SFC final: Summerhill 0-16 Ratoath 0-13 

Summerhill boss David Clare said he took no joy from overcoming his friend and former colleague Paul Galvin.

A year after working together in the Kilmacud Crokes backroom team that contested the 2024 Dublin SFC final, Clare and Kerry great Galvin found themselves on opposite sides at the Meath SFC final in Navan.

And Dunboyne man Clare, living in Summerhill for the last 20 years, was the one who came out smiling after squeezing the life out of Galvin's Ratoath with a terrific effort.

Galvin may even have a grudging admiration for how hard-working Summerhill went about their business, considering that he made his own name with Kerry as an indefatigable number 10.

Summerhill only actually scored eight points from play, with just one in the second half, as county captain Eoghan Frayne stroked half their scores from placed balls.

But it was still a monumental and memorable effort with the Hill pouncing on anything that resembled a breaking ball all afternoon.

Midfielders Adam Flanagan - returning after missing the semi-final due to the birth of his first child - and the outstanding Adam McDonnell provided the platform for Summerhill to claim a ninth title.

There were some nervous moments late on as Summerhill, leading by 0-15 to 0-6 with 48 minutes on the clock, had their advantage trimmed to just two points.

But they held out to secure what could be the first half of an impressive double of sorts as a number of their players compete for Kiltale who will also take on Ratoath in next weekend's county SHC final.

On the Galvin link, Clare shrugged and accepted that the former Wexford manager will really 'personalise it' and take the defeat to heart.

"With Paul, as I keep saying, he's a terrific coach and great on the skills, right hand to left hand, all of that stuff, and you could see how they were moving the ball, that's his forte," said Clare.

"He's brilliant at that, absolutely brilliant at it. He's a great lad, a really good lad. And look, he'll take that to heart. He'll really personalise that. But it's just on the day. It's fine margins."

Meath clubs have struggled over the years in the Leinster club SFC so Summerhill will be keen to push on when they meet the Longford representatives on November 2.

They deserve the break because it's been a gruelling few weeks since just about scraping through to the quarter-finals after two losses from their three group games.

They only advanced on scoring difference but met as a group days later and resolved to do better, upping the ante noticeably and beating Trim, holders Dunshaughlin after extra-time and then old rivals Ratoath to regain the Keegan Cup.

The two Fraynes, Eoghan and Conor, scored 12 points between them though it wasn't until the second quarter of the game that Summerhill really lifted off.

The scores were tied at 0-1 apiece approaching the quarter hour but three two pointers, from Eoghan Frayne, the influential Liam Shaw and Conor Frayne, lifted the Hill to a 0-10 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Ratoath rued their failure to hit the net in the fourth minute when Ben McGowan's palmed effort was saved by Sean Muddiman.

Later in the game, when Ratoath were chasing a goal after a strong Summerhill third quarter, sub Joey Wallace found himself free at the back post but his shot was somehow blocked out for a 45 by Iarla Hughes.

Clare joked that they call Hughes 'Mr Nobody' because he keeps a low profile but seems to pop up when the need is greatest, as he displayed again.

Ratoath only really got it going in the last quarter, reducing a nine-point lead to two thanks in part to two-pointers from Gavin McGowan and county midfielder Jack Flynn.

And they tried for a late, late equalising goal after the hooter had sounded but Summerhill's Diarmuid McCabe was having none of it and won possession close to his own goal before booting it out to end the contest.

Summerhill scorers: E Frayne 0-8 (1 tpf, 6 frees); C Fryane 0-4 (1 tp); L Shaw 0-2 (tp); D McCabe, K Ryan 0-1 each.

Ratoath scorers: D McGowan (2 frees), J Flynn (1 tpf, 1 45) 0-3 each; B O'Brien, G McGowan (tp) 0-2 each; B McMahon, C Crawford, E Wallace 0-1 each.

SUMMERHILL: S Muddiman; B Moran, Ronan Ryan, I Hughes; J Bannon, Ross Ryan, J O'Shea; A McDonnell, A Flanagan; D McCabe, K Ryan, D Larkin; C Frayne, E Frayne, L Shaw.

Subs: P Geraghty for O'Shea (40); J Keane for Bannon (44); C Lyons for Shaw (45); B Dardis for K Ryan (55).

RATOATH: C Rooney; C Brady, C McGill, S Brazil; G McGowan, B Wyer, L Kelly; J Flynn, B McGowan; C O'Brien, G O'Reilly, D McGowan; B McMahon, B O'Brien, C Rogers.

Subs: C Crawford for Brazil & E Wallace for Brady (h/t); J Wallace for C O'Brien (43); R Byrne for B O'Brien (45).

Ref: K Sheerin (Castletown).