Five-star Pats heap woe on Rathkenny

St Patrick’s Rathkenny 5-11 0-12

AFTER trailing by a point at the break, St Patrick’s went on a second-half goal-scoring spree as they overcame Rathkenny at Stamullen on Saturday evening.

Rathkenny were understrength and this latest defeat leaves them rooted at the foot of Division 1.

Despite the absence of Donal Keogan, James Macken and Caolach Halligan, Rathkenny had the edge in the exchanges throughout the opening half and deservedly led 0-9 to 0-8 at the break.

Jack Gore, Sean Mongey, Keith Timmons, Ivan Lenehan and Brian Meade were all on target for the north Meath side in that first half.

The hosts upped their performance significantly after the break and two goals in a three-minute spell in the third quarter put them firmly in control. Midfielder Shane Dowling hit the opening goal on 35 minutes and then Neil O’Flaherty found the net shortly after.

Rathkenny did have an opportunity to get back into contention when six points in arrears, but Jack Gore’s 43rd-minute penalty kick was saved by Robert Cluskey.

There was no way back for the visitors after Shane Landy found the net for his side’s third goal early in the final quarter. Darren Hagan and substitute Niall Whearty added to the goal tally before the finish.

St Patrick’s also failed to convert a penalty in the closing stages, with Neil O’Flaherty having his effort saved by Rathkenny keeper Colin Curtis. Rathkenny’s only point from play in the half came from Jack Thompson, with their remaining scores courtesy of Jack Gore frees.