Pat’s power to victory

at Dunbur Park much to admire in the winners stick work and general play, which saw them play some delightful hurling as they outfoxed their opponents.

The winners opened the scoring after two minutes which saw Andy O’Brien point a free after Keith Byrne was penalised for over playing the ball. Avondale responded with a point from a free by Raymond Nolan to bring the sides level.

At this stage St Patrick’s showed they were up for the occasion which saw them launch two attacks in a row which resulted in Chris Kavanagh and George O’Brien scoring a point each and were also denied a goal following a brilliant saw by Tom Finn which brought a response as midfielder Eamon Kearns surged up field to score a point from play, which left the score 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes.

The winners received a tonic when Andy O’Brien won possession and rounded his marker to score the opening goal which saw the home side up the tempo which resulted in Stephen Morris, Jack Moutgormay, Andy O’Brien and James O’Brien adding a point each, all from play which saw the winners leading by 1-7 to 0-2 after twenty minutes.

A rare Avondale attack resulted in Dean Gahan being fouled which Raymond Nolan pointed as the play swung from end to end which saw both sided missing two scoring chances each, also Tom Finn and Eoin O’Mahoney were very much to fore with excellent saves.

The winners went on to score three points in row through Andy O’Brien from a free, Chris Kavanagh and George O’Brien, while the Rathdrum men replied with a point each from Niall Heffernan and Eamon Kearns to reduce the deficit which saw score line 1-10 to 0-5.

St Patrick’s finished the remainder of the half which saw them add a further 1-3. James Byrne, son of Billy Byrne former Wexford legend, helped himself to the goal while Andy O’Brien, Jack Montgormay and James O’Brien completed the winners’ scoring in the first half, while Avondale only reply was a point from midfielder Brian Hanlon which left the half time scoring 2-13 to 0-6.

The second half started off much the same as the first with both sides exchanging a point each. Andy O’Brien increased the lead with a point from a free while Eamon Kearns scored his third point for the Dales but their forwards let the side down as them squandered three scoring chances, many due to the winners tight marking defence in which every player played his part.

St Patrick’s also had some bad wides, which saw top scorer George O’Brien off the target twice which left the winners leading on a score of 2-14 to 0-8.

Not for the first time in the game the winners showed they meant business which saw them hit another golden spell as they went on to dominate in most sectors of the park which resulted in George O’Brien, who was causing havoc in the Avondale defence from early on which saw the corner-forward in Michael Jacob style score two goals in the space of four minutes and for good measure added a point while a hard working midfielder Stephen Morris who has made a welcome return to the Pat’s team also added a point from play.

Eamon Kearns replied with a point from play for the Avondale, which saw the winners with a commanding lead of 4-16 to 0-9 with eight minutes remaining.

Avondale’s best spell came in the latter half of the game which saw them record four points in a ro, two from Craig Byrne (one free), while Niall Heffernan and Raymond Nolan added single points to reduce the deficit.

The remainder of match saw Gerry Connors, who had moved from his familiar berth in the backs to score two points from play, and it was only fitting that top scorer George O’Brien should close the scoring with a point deep into injury time which left St Patrick’s worthy winners in an impressive performance but Michael Neary will not be getting carried with this result as he knows too well that much stiffer opposition lie ahead in the months ahead. Both teams deserve credit for their sportsmanship they displayed while referee Ciaran Manley stamped his authority on the game

The final will be contested between St Patricks and Glenealy in what should be something to look forward to in the weeks ahead.

St. Patrick’s scorers: George O’Brien (2-4), Andy O’Brien (1-5, 0-3 frees), Jack McGormay (1-2), Chris Kavanagh (0-2), Stephen Morris (0-2), James O’Brien (0-2), Gerry Connors (0-2).

Avondale scorers: Eamon Kearns (0-5, 0-2 frees), Raymond Nolan (0-3, 0-1 free), Craig Byrne (0-2 frees), Niall Heffernan (0-2), Brian Hanlon (0-1).

St Patrick’s: Eoin O’Mahoney, Andy O’Brien, John Connors, Sean Callaghan, Michael Connors, Gerry Connors, Chris Kavanagh, Stephen Morris, Terry Healy, Christy Moorehouse, James O’Brien, Jack McGormley, Andy O’Brien, James Byrne, George O’Brien. Subs used: Thomas Keogh, Jimmy O’Brien, Andrew Conway, George O’Connor.

Avondale: Tom Finn, Mikie O’Toole, Shane Byrne, Eddie O’Shaughnessy, Dermot Phelan, Eugene Dunne, Eoin Heffernan, Eamon Kearns, Brian Hanlon, Keith Byrne, Paul Gahan, Craig Byrne, Raymond Nolan, Dean Gahan, Niall Heffernan. Sub: Anthony O’Toole for Paul Gahan (injured).

Referee: Ciaran Manley (Glenealy).