Landy lands the winner for Pat’s

ST PATRICK’S ST PETER’S DUNBOYNE 0-16 1-12

UNDER-ESTIMATE St Patrick’s at your peril.

New championship favourites Dunboyne did exactly that and it proved costly as they went down to a shock defeat in Group B of the SFC at wet and windy Duleek on Saturday evening.

Conor O’Donoghue’s charges were installed as new favourites to lift the Keegan Cup recently following impressive victories against Duleek/Bellewstown, Ratoath and Summerhill, but they failed to live up to that billing in a match that was spoiled by driving rain and strong winds.

St Patrick’s, fighting for survival, hadn’t brought their league form with them into the championship, but the enigmatic east Meath men always seem to have at least one big performance in their repertoire. They produced it when it was most needed as they lifted themselves clear of the treat of relegation in what was a fully merited victory.

Shane Landy, who didn’t see action in the defeat to Ratoath, hit the winning score, a 40-metre effort from play four minutes from the finish. It was Landy’s fourth point of the hour, capping a fine individual display. It was also the first time his side led in the contest, though they were much more economical with their finishing on this occasion.

Considering their plight the Stamullen men showed commendable composure on the ball against their much vaunted opponents who failed to score in the final quarter.

The Dunboyne men enjoyed the advantage of the elements in the opening half and at one stage looked as if they were heading for another clear-cut win.

They led 1-3 to 0-1 after 12 minutes but eventually had to settle for a 1-7 to 0-6 interval advantage.

Stronger in the challenge, they turned over the ball on numerous occasions in the opening quarter as they cut through the St Patrick’s rearguard with ease at times. Their goal came from Michael Dunne who had the simple task of slapping to the net following a move involving Craig Lowndes, Donal Lenihan and Robert McCarthy.

Lenihan, McCarthy and Dunne had earlier pointed for the men in Black and Amber.

Landy opened St Patrick’s account and further points from Alan Vickers (free), Darren Hagan and Shane Dowling left it 1-4 to 0-4 by the 18th minute.

Despite squandering possession on a number of occasions and also dropping a few efforts short, St Patrick’s performed well in that opening half and two further points from Niall Whearty frees reduced the deficit to two. However two pointed frees from Lenihan left Dunboyne four clear at the break.

That lead increased to six points following quick-fire scores from Lenihan before Neil O’Flaherty replied with two pointed frees for the east Meath outfit.

Landy, with a long-range effort, and Dunboyne centre back Cathal Finn exchanges points before both sides went close to finding the net. A long delivery from Niall Mooney took a deflection, but Dunboyne keeper Johnny O’Connor produced a brilliant reflex save to turn the ball around the post for a ‘45 which was converted by Alan Vickers.

Moments later it was the St Pat’s goal that had a let-off when the influential Finn soloed through and was unfortunate to see a goalbound shot smash off the woodwork.

The deficit was down to the minimum after O’Flaherty and Niall Whearty found the range. Dunboyne regained a two-point lead on two different occasions after that, but Robert McCarthy’s 45th-minute point proved to be their last score.

St Patrick’s eventually drew level through Whearty on 52 minutes and they then squandered two chances before Landy lofted the winner from long range with his trusty left boot.