ST PATRICKS One performance above all others in this year’s Senior Football Championship demonstrated what St Patrick’s are capable of. It came in the fourth round of group matches when they defeated Donaghmore /Ashbourne by seven points and booked their place in the knockout stages.
Adam Mulvaney holds aloft the U17 Division 4 Shield at Donore as the celebrations begin
T
hat was the same Donaghmore/Ashbourne who went agonisingly close to reaching the final a matter of weeks later and who dashed their hopes of silverware when defeating the Stamullen men in the All-County A League Division 1 decider towards the end of October. That group win was one of four that St Patrick’s recorded en route to the quarter-finals of the championship, but the last eight hurdle proved beyond them when they were harshly reduced to 14 men after only four minutes and Wolfe Tones defeated them by five points. Mick Bohan replaced Ciaran O’Hare as coach this year and St Patrick’s were drawn in group A of the SFC along with Nobber, Duleek/Bellewstown, champions Summerhill, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Moynalvey and they faced a tough opener against the holders at Pairc Tailteann.
REAL CONSISTENCY FROM PAT’S Goalkeeper Eabhan Connolly made a fine save from Barry Dardis midway through the first half, but the Meath minor did get his goal which helped Summerhill to lead by 1-8 to 0-2 at the break. St Patrick’s had six wides in that period and their hopes of a comeback ended when Adrian Kenny got the ‘Hill’s second goal. Niall Whearty got a consolation goal for
Pat’s. The strong wind made conditions difficult in the second round against Duleek/Bellewstown at Ashbourne where St Patrick’s led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the interval en route to a 0-6 to 0-4 victory. A Connolly save from Padraig Howard was crucial on a day when Niall Mooney notched four points (two frees) and Donal Landy got the
On duty for the Division 1 FL Final against Donaghmore Ashbourne in Simonstown, front l/r: Ronan Kearns, Barry Campbell, Niall Whearty, J.P. Ryan, Neil O'Flaherty, David Stafford, Daithi Whyte, Donal Landy, Shane McGinty, Niall Mooney, Tommie Reilly. Back: Keith Whearty, Barry Mooney, Andrew Mooney, David McQuillan, Shane Dowling, Shane Landy, Darren Hagan, Brian Calvey, Martin McKenna, Cormac Sullivan, Ray Russell
Log onto www.dlynchpics.com to view more club photos
754