Champions fortunate to snatch last-gasp win

Raharney 1-11Ringtown 2-6Defending Westmeath senior hurling champions, Raharney survived a major scare in Cusack Park on Sunday evening last as they used all their guile and experience, and no little luck, in overcoming the stern challenge of a totally committed Ringtown side. Indeed, the green and golds will sit back and rue the numerous chances, particularly short frees, that they missed. In truth, they should have won this game comfortably, but you don?t win a senior title by not being able to battle and the Blues of Raharney never gave up and pulled this game right out of the fire at the death.Most of the good action in the game was confined to the fourth quarter and the other three were not the greatest to watch, with far too many basic errors being committed. However, the last 15 minutes were certainly compulsive viewing as Eamonn Gallagher?s charges all but booked their place in the knockout stages, while Ringtown must now win their final game against Castletown-Geoghegan.The game began at a very pedantic pace with neither side ever looking as if they would take command and it took a full six minutes for a score to register, with Francis Boyle hitting a beauty from 40 yards to open the scoring. By that stage, both teams had hit some horrendous wides and this was the pattern for a lot of the first half. However, Ringtown replied with two super points from the impressive Tom Macken who was causing problems at full forward for inter-county star, Paul Greville. Greville was finding it very difficult to contain Macken, but Ringtown then lapsed by not feeding him enough ball and when they did it was high and aimless and certainly to Greville?s advantage. Raharney thrived on the new-found advantage and were a little unlucky when Shane Leavy set up Alan Giles who was only narrowly wide. John Shaw then took over and, in the space of a minute, he had tagged on two excellent scores, the second after a good solo run that split the Ringtown defence. At this juncture, the game promised much, but it would be a full 13 minutes before either side would register another score. In the interim, Ringtown were dominant but hit a succession of dreadful wides from play and from placed balls and in truth these came back to haunt them. Most of their chances were eminently scorable but they just could not find the killer touch and Raharney slowly meandered themselves back into the game.Ringtown goalkeeper, Pat Burke was then penalised for lying on the ball and, on 23 minutes, John Shaw pointed the free while, moments later, the impressive Brian Smyth added another from the right side and should then have scored another, but shot badly wide. He made up for it just after that with a great run and strike that split the posts but he pulled up sharply afterwards and was struggling from there on in. Four points behind, Ringtown needed a fillip before the break but again they hit poor wides, with Vinny Bateman and Niall Kilcoyne the biggest culprits. At the break, Raharney held a four-point advantage, 0-6 to 0-2, and the scoreline told the tale of a forgettable first half where there were double the amount of wides to scores.The second moiety started a little livelier as both teams looked to up the pace and John Shaw had a great opportunity to increase the Deelsiders? advantage, but was woefully wide. Then the match took another turn when a huge mix-up in the Raharney defence left Colin Murtagh all alone and the Ringtown corner forward smashed the ball to the net to leave the bare minimum between the sides. John Shaw increased the advantage from a free after a foul on Francis Boyle, but Murtagh instantly replied with another for Ringtown. At this stage, it became end- to-end stuff. Brian Connaughton converted a monster free from at least 80 yards, while Bateman at last got on the scoresheet with a monster of his own from 70 yards. J.P.Creggy then intercepted a promising Raharney attack, but charged on his way out, and John Shaw pointed another free before Niall Kilcoyne kept Ringtown in touch with a 21-yard free after a foul on Tom Macken.Macken was now causing mayhem and when he caught a fine ball, he off-loaded to Colin Murtagh again and in a flash it was another three-pointer. Ringtown were now back in the lead and looking all-over winners. Brian Connaughton pulled the champions back with another huge converted free but that was negated seconds later when Darren Kilcoyne hit a fine score. Murtagh should have sealed matters when through on goal but Connaughton somehow managed to hook him and defuse the situation and, at the other end, Dan Riggs was desperately unlucky when his shot was brilliantly saved by Ringtown netminder, Pat Burke. When the ball was cleared, Johnny Greville hit a huge point from all of 80 yards to reduce the margin to the minimum. It really was end-to-end stuff now and Ringtown looked as if they would hold on but then John Shaw was just about to strike for the equaliser when he spotted Paul Greville on the 21 and when Greville struck there was only going to be one result as the ball flew into the top corner of the net to put the champions back in charge. Despite a late Ringtown rally they just couldn?t get level and the champions slid home two points to the good and Ringtown were shell-shocked.Ringtown possibly deserved something out of the game but they missed a plethora of chances and will hark back to the many frees they missed from very scorable areas, as well as notable chances from play. Tom Macken and Murtagh apart, the Ringtown attack misfired badly as did the midfield pairing of Bateman and Kilcoyne. At the back, Tossie Brady rolled back the years and was certainly their best defender, while Eanna Doolin at centre back was outstanding as well, but they need a finisher if they are to progress. They will look at this as a chance lost and know they have only themselves to blame.For Raharney, it was just a case of job done. Brian Smyth was possibly their best performer although Donie Carey at corner back ran him close. Smyth?s loss in the second half seemed to unsettle them and few others stood up when they were needed most. Brian Connaughton was solid at centre back as was Johnny Greville but, with the exception of John Shaw, the forwards were ineffectual and they will need to sharpen up if they are to retain the title. But they now seem sure to progress and will get better, while Ringtown need to lift themselves for one final challenge.Scorers:-Raharney: John Shaw 0-5 (0-3 from frees), Paul Greville 1-0, Brian Connaughton 0-2 (both from frees), Brian Smyth 0-2, Francis Boyle 0-1, Johnny Greville 0-1Ringtown: Colin Murtagh 2-1, Tom Macken 0-2, Niall Kilcoyne, Vincent Bateman and Darren Kilcoyne 0-1 apieceRaharney: Andrew Doyle, Peter Mullen, Paul Greville, Donie Carey, Johnny Greville, Brian Connaughton, Anthony Doyle, Brian Smyth, Conor Jordan, Shane Leavy, Francis Boyle, Alan Giles, Christopher Flanagan, John Shaw, Niall Flanagan. Subs: Dan Riggs (for Smyth, 32 mins), Pauric Connaughton (for Giles, 45 mins), Mark Conroy (for Niall Flanagan, 45 mins).Ringtown: Pat Burke, J.P.Creggy, Tossie Brady, Frankie Boyhan, Keith Melia, Eanna Doolin, Shane Brophy, Niall Kilcoyne, Vincent Bateman, Martin Burke, Willie Murphy, Darren Kilcoyne, Derek Cheevers, Tom Macken, Colin Murtagh. Subs: Christy Fanning (for Martin Burke, 39 mins), Geoffrey Nea (for Murphy, 44 mins).Referee: Robbie Cornally, St. Oliver Plunketts.