St.Patricks held a 7 point lead however a strong finish from O’Connells gave them a 1 point win in Castlebellingham on Friday evening.

St.Patricks dominated the first half with Conor Grogan opening the scoring after 2 minutes, Colin McCann followed up with a point. Colin McCann finished a great attack by hitting the back of the net on the 6th minute to give St.Patricks an early 5 point lead. Karl White added a further point before O’Connells got the opening point of the game when awarded a free on the 11th minute. Cian Doyle won a lot of the ball up front for O’Connells and they followed up their opening point with a further 1-01 to reduce the lead to a point. St.Patricks however continued to dominate in possession and wasted numerous opportunities to extend their lead further. Evan White, Paddy Keenan and Karl White did add further points before the break however another free from O’Connells left just 3 between the sides at the break.

St.Patricks were dealt a blow at half time with Daniel O’Connor being substituted through injury, however St.Patricks started the 2nd half strongly with Sean McGeough scoring a goal in the opening minute to increase St.Patricks lead to 6 points. O’Connells responded with a point but further points from Karl White and Aidan McCann extended the lead to 7. O’Connells temporarily reduced the lead back to 6 before a further point from Sean McGeough left 7 between the sides with 15 minutes left. O’Connell’s however finished the half strong with 2 goals in 5 minutes and added a point to bring the sides level. Cian Doyle caused the Pats defence problems throughout the game, with 10 minutes remaining he received a deserved red card, however Aidan McCann also was shown red for St.Patricks in the melee which followed. O’Connells added a further point from a free to lead for the first time with 8 minutes left, St.Patricks responded with a Karl White free, however O’Connells went back ahead and with St.Patricks awarded further frees in the last 2 minutes these were sent with O’Connells winning by a point.

St.Patricks: Barry Corcoran, Rory Duffy, Darren O’Hanlon, Ross Murphy, Conor Grogan 0-1, Dessie Finnegan, Kevin White, Daniel O’Connor, Paddy Keenan 0-1, Evan White 0-1, Karl White (0-4, 3f), Aidan McCann (0-1) RC, Ray Finnegan, Sean McGeough 1-01, Colin McCann 1-01.

Subs: Eamonn Breen for Daniel O’Connor, Cormac Barry for Ross Murphy