Cooley storm back to deny Pats
ST PATRICKS 1-12 COOLEY KICKHAMS 2-9
COOLEY Kickhams staged a remarkable comeback from eight points down to snatch a draw against neighbours St Patricks in Lordship on Saturday night.
The home side appeared to be in cruise control entering the final quarter but goals from Michael Rafferty gave his side hope before he landed the equaliser six minutes from time.
For three quarters of this encounter, it was the Pats who were firmly in control and when Patrick Lynch pointed on 47 minutes his side were 1-12 to 0-7 in front.
Cooley were given a lifeline when Rafferty pounced to pull a goal back on 48 minutes. Four minutes later it was very much game-on when he added another.
Cooley were a transformed side at that stage and scores from Brian White and Rafferty drew them level.
In the closing stages it was Cooley who looked the more likely to snatch victory but in the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils.
The tension at the end was a far cry from the comfort enjoyed by the Pats in the opening half. Points from Paddy Keenan, Conor Grogan, Jason Woods and Thomas McCann had them in control before Kevin Toner fired in the first goal of the game just before the quarter-hour, helping his side to a 1-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.
ST PATRICKS: Rory Duffy; Cormac Barry, Dessie Finnegan, Darren O’Hanlon; Kevin White, Eoghan Lafferty, Ross Murphy; Paddy Keenan 0-4(1f), Thomas McCann 0-1; Cathal Grogan, Aidan McCann, Daniel Rice; Jason Woods 0-2, Kevin Toner 1-0, Conor Grogan 0-4. Subs: Sean McGeough for D Finnegan, Patrick Lynch 0-1 for T McCann BC.
COOLEY KIKCHAMS: Neil Gallagher; James Loughran, Conor Kenny, Patrick Hanlon; Gerry Malone 0-1, Alan Page, Declan McGuinness; Peter Thornton, Conor Rafferty 0-1; Keith White, Aoghain McGuinness, Michael Rafferty 2-1; Thomas McGuinness, Brian White 0-6, Gareth McShane. Subs: Michael Carron, Jake Mc Shane.