Avondale are on song
at Dunbur Park recorded.
Corner-forward Jack Dunne showed his ability as he split the defence to land two points and after both sides missed a scoring chance each, another rally by St Patrick’s brought a point after good work by Matthew Traynor.
He used the long ball which full-forward Brian O’Sullivan gathered as he rounded his marker to edge his side further ahead with a well taken point, which saw the home side leading 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes played.
Paul Earls’ side continue to up the tempo but they failed to convert several scoring chances as they were off target on five occasions before a move that was started in their own defence, and after good work by Jack Dunne and Jamie Power which saw Jack Kelly score the opening goal as he blasted the ball past goalkeeper Kieran Penn, which gave the Wicklow town side a five-point cushion 1-3 to 0-1.
At this stage the winners set about reducing the deficit as they took the game to the opposition.
Midfielder Kieran O’Halloran set the ball rolling with a point, while Craig Byrne who was proving too hot to handle, which saw the full-forward slot over two points from play.
These scores inspired the home team to rally once more but the were guilty of missed chances which was to prove costly in the end.
St Patrick’s finished the half in fine style which saw a point each from Matthew Traynor and Jack Dunne to close the scoring in the opening half which saw the blue and whites leading on a score of 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.
The winners, turning over to play with the strong breeze in the second half, saw them record two wides
This brought a quick response from the home side following a move which saw wing-back Colin O’Toole fouled as he headed towards goal, which left Jack Kelly with an easy task as he slotted over a point.
Not for the first in the game Avondale dominated in vital sectors of the pitch but they failed to convert what possession they had into vital scores as they hit four wides in a row.
At this stage Avondale struck for two killer-blows in the space of four minutes. The first saw a move that started in the defence which resulted in Ross Ward scoring a goal.
From the kick-out the winners won possession which saw county player Conor Byrne split the home defence to crack home the second goal which stunned the St Patrick’s team, which resulted in a point each being scored by Reese Byrne and Jack Kelly to bring the sides level on a score of 2-5 to 1-8 at the end of the third quarter.
With both teams focused on the task that lay ahead which saw two points each being traded substitute Riain Sweetman Burke landed two points from play for the Wicklow town side while top scorer Conor Byrne replied with two points (one free) to bring the sides level once more at 2-7 to 1-10.
A St Patrick’s rally resulted in midfielder Reese Kelly being fouled which saw another county player Jack Kelly edge his side in front, which proved to be their last score.
A fired up Avondale side finished the stronger which saw them score 1-2 without reply.
Conor Byrneshowed his ability, which saw him score his side’s second goal and he also added a point from a free while full-forward Craig Byrne scored his fourth point to close the scoring, which left Avondale worthy winners.
They took every opportunity that was presented to them while St Patrick’s were guilty of some bad shooting which was to prove costly. AVONDALE SCORERS: Conor Byrne (2-3, 0-2 frees), Ross Ward (1-0), Craig Byrne (0-4), Kevin Halloran (0-1), Andy Doyle (0-1). ST PATRICK’S SCORERS: Jack Kelly (1-3, 0-3 frees), Jack Dunne (0-3), Riain Sweetman Burke (0-2), Reese Kelly (0-1), Brian O’Sullivan (0-1), Matthew Traynor (0-1). AVONDALE: Kieran Penn; Conor Penn, Luke Cullen, Stephen Lee; Saoise Kearon, Mikey O’Dea, Oisin McGraynor; Kevin O’Halloran, Andy Doyle; Tyrone Byrne, Conor Byrne, Ross Ward; Craig Byrne, Donal McGraynor. Sub. - Jack Manley for Mikey O’Dea. ST PATRICK’S: Dara O’Riordan; Rory Dowling, John Joe Power, Ross O’Toole; Mark Darragh, Hugh Humby, Colin O’Toole, Reese Kelly, Matthew Traynor; Jack Kelly, Sean Fitzpatrick, Owen McCauley; Jack Dunne, Brian O’Sullivan, Jamie Power. Subs used: Riain Sweetman Burke, Eli Graham, Ben Watson, Rossa Marrow, Ryan Murray. REFEREE: Pat Hickey (Arklow Geraldines-Ballymoney.