Ratoath Harps’ fast start stuns depleted Athletic in Gainstown

Mullingar Athletic 1 - 5 Ratoath Harps

By Robert Kindregan

Mullingar Athletic’s LFA Junior Cup campaign began in miserable conditions on Friday night when Ratoath Harps punished a disastrous opening quarter to claim a 5–1 win under the lights in Gainstown.

The match kicked off at 8pm in relentless rain and a strong wind that kept support away, stripping any sense of home advantage. Making matters worse, Athletic were heavily depleted, with several players pulling out late through sickness and injury, leaving just two substitutes.

Despite this, Athletic opened well. Jordan Scally saw plenty of early possession, linking play well as the hosts settled.

Their promising start vanished with Ratoath’s first attack. At seven minutes, Conor O’Sullivan slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Aaron McKinley, whose cross travelled behind advancing ’keeper Craig Sweeney and dropped for Aaron Kelly to head in from close-range.

Athletic carved out a response shortly after when Nathan Scally burst forward and squared across goal to Tadgh Nolan, whose effort narrowly missed the target.

At 12 minutes, O’Sullivan again unlocked the defence, sliding a pass into Leo Cobzaru, who calmly finished for 2–0. Ratoath immediately won possession back from the restart, and Luke Neville delivered another dangerous cross that Cobzaru headed home for 3–0.

Ratoath pressed again and nearly added a fourth inside 15 minutes when Cian Hughes drove through the middle and fired wide. With rain and wind swirling, Sweeney was under severe pressure.

Athletic fought back. At 18 minutes, Liam Brennan launched a long, accurate ball down the left to Nathan Scally, who cut inside and finished superbly to make it 3–1.

With confidence rising, Scally received the ball centrally and tried to slip Nathan McCullagh through, but Ratoath intercepted. Momentum stalled moments later when a miscontrol from Emmett Brennan led to a dangerous throw-in, though Athletic recovered well.

Soon after, McCullagh appeared to be taken down in the box, but referee Vicki McEnery waved play on.

Ratoath then produced a spell of pressure, winning a corner on 30 minutes with an unusual setup - attackers bunching at the far post before breaking toward the delivery. The header drifted wide. A misplaced kickout placed Athletic under further pressure before Jordan Scally won a valuable free.

At 38 minutes, Ratoath forced two more corners. The second, delivered by Ross Woods from the right, dropped perfectly for Gary Eiffe, who chested the ball into the net for 4–1.

Another setback followed when Nathan Scally was forced off injured just before halftime and replaced by Efe Siode. At the break, Liam Brennan was also withdrawn injured, with Jurai Zachus coming on - leaving Athletic with no substitutes remaining while trailing by three.

Ratoath shifted tactics in the second half, favouring controlled possession. McKinley, excellent throughout, drove down the right 10 minutes after the restart and squared the ball to Cobzaru, but Sweeney produced a strong save to deny.

Athletic responded well. Rhys Keena delivered a dangerous corner that was cleared, regained the ball, and whipped in a second threatening cross, but Ratoath defended it. Moments later, Jamie Loran struck from distance, sending his shot over.

At the other end, Sweeney made a sharp low save to deny Kelly a second goal. Athletic threatened again when McCullagh fired from the edge of the box, forcing a corner.

With no substitutes left and conditions worsening, Athletic tired. Ratoath added a fifth at 75 minutes when McKinley skipped past his marker and placed a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Five minutes from time, disaster struck as Loran picked up an injury, leaving Athletic to finish with ten men. Emmett Brennan attempted a late long-range effort, but it rose over the bar.

Athletic will be disappointed with the outcome, particularly having beaten Ratoath earlier in the league season, but brutal weather conditions and mounting injuries proved too much to overcome.

Scorers - Ratoath Harps: Aaron Kelly, Leo Cobzaru (2), Gary Eiffe, Aaron McKinley.

Mullingar Athletic: Nathan Scally (assist: Liam Brennan).

Ratoath Harps: Leigh Sullivan, Aaron McKinley, Niall Davis, Gary Eiffe, Brian O’Connor, Aaron Kelly, Conor O’Sullivan, Luke Neville, Leo Cobzaru, Cian Hughes, Ross Woods

Subs: Jake Brennan, Mattie Cullen, Sean Buchanan, Niall Davis, Colm Fitzpatrick, Peter Barry, Dan O’Sullivan.

Mullingar Athletic: Craig Sweeney, Jamie Loran, Dorian McDonald, Oisin Tyrrell, Emmett Brennan, Liam Brennan, Nathan Scally, Jordan Scally, Rhys Keena, Nathan McCullagh, Tadgh Nolan

Subs: Efe Siode (on for N. Scally 44’), Jurai Zachus (on for L. Brennan HT)

Referee: Vicki McEnery.