Stamullen school pipped at post

ST PATRICK’S NS of Stamullen were narrowly beaten in their first-ever appearance at the Cumann na mBunscoil Finals in Pairc Tailteainn on Thursday last.

Playing with a very strong breeze behind them in the first half, St Patrick’s opened the scoring with two points from midfielder Susanna Schultzmann inside the first six minutes, but St Stephen’s were level again four minutes later.

A goal from Katie Daly for St Patrick’s after 13 minutes was answered by two goals from the Navan side and, with the strong wind carrying most of the balls into the Stamullen forwards out over the endline, it was the cusp of half-time before a point from Nicole Dungan cut St Stephen’s advantage to two at the turnaround.

Playing with the wind in the second half, St Stephen’s were in charge from the restart and despite some great saves from Riannon O’Neill in the Stamullen goals, the Navan side were soon seven points up courtesy of a goal and two points.

Stamullen worked hard against the breeze and even a sudden rainstorm couldn’t dampen their enthusiasm. Becky Harney hit the back of the Navan net with 10 minutes to go and when Sophie Rose split the posts for St Patrick’s and Harney scored her second goal of the day, the sides were level at 3-4 apiece with just three minutes to go.

St Stephen’s, though, finished the stronger of the two sides to break the heats of their Stamullen opponents.