North Meath left it late to claim victory over local rivals Ratoath in fiercely-fought match that threatened to spill over at times.

It was North Meath’s first home game since lifting the Leinster league title last month, in the first round of a new cup competition.

While there was a sizeable gap between the two Meath teams in the league, this contest was expected to be much more competitive.

And it was the visitors who started much the better. A knock-on from the kick-off gave Ratoath an early scrum and a chance to put down a marker, which they duly did, shoving the North Meath scrum back a good metre or so.

Things then got even better for Ratoath when their dangerous number 7 found some space in the backline and was in under the posts for the opening score.

North Meath were playing like they were still half-asleep but then got a lucky break when a chip from Conor Grey seemed to be under control only for the Ratoath fullback to lose the ball on the line, allowing Cian Doogan to score and level the match.

The rest of the half yielded very little for either side. Despite the effort, some bad hands or ill-discipline extinguished any scoring chance. And then right at the end of the half, a needless penalty conceded by North Meath handed three points to Ratoath who led 10-7 at half-time.

The home team started the second half in a much-improved manner and when captain Cian Doogan made a break in midfield, a score looked on. But an intercept from the Ratoath left-winger threatened to turn the play on its head. Only a miraculous tap-tackle from North Meath’s Eoin Briody stopped a certain score.

Briody then came close to scoring only for Ratoath to scramble it clear. By now the home team were beginning to assert themselves. After a good five minutes camped in the Ratoath half, and a succession of tap penalties, North Meath were held up on the line, something that was vociferously celebrated by the visitors.

However, Ratoath could only hold out for so long. Following another tap penalty and a yellow card, player coach Simon Deevy touched down, sparking some spirited celebrations and a melee between the two teams which resulted in a red card for Ratoath.

Despite taking the lead for the first time, North Meath only had a two-point gap and the game remained in the balance until the excellent Eoin Briody capped a fine display with the final try which was converted by Oisin McDermott to make the final score 19-10 to North Meath.

The result, if not the performance, was a fitting send-off for North Meath prop Sean Gilsenan who is departing for Australia this week. Despite breaking his leg in his first ever senior match, Sean has gone on to be one of the most dependable and strongest front rowers in the North Meath and his absence today is probably one of the main reasons the North Meath scrum struggled at times.

As his team-mates have testified, Sean would put his body in front of anything for the team and will be missed. The club wishes him all the best down under.

Team: Oisin McDermott, Curtis Hunter, Senan McDermott, Cian Doogan, Jordan Herring, Conor Grey, Louis Finnegan, Graham Boland, Killian Flanagan, Sam Bashford, Denis Cannon, Eoghan Cosgrave, Simon Deevy, Ben Shine, Eoin Briody

Replacements: Henry Armstrong, Conor Rennicks, Ciaran Cullen, Paul Butler, Andrew Dowds, Joe Carry, Andrew Monaghan, John Lyon, Cailum Kiernan, Cian Murphy

Tries: Doogan, Deevy, Briody

Cons: Oisin McDermott (2)

• Pics courtesy of Aisling McDermott