Blues confirm top spot

NEWTOWN BLUES ST PATRICKS 0-16 1-8

NEWTOWN Blues ensured that they will finish top of the Division 1 table at the end of the season after picking up their ninth successive victory in defeating St Patricks at Newfoundwell on Friday night.

The home side had five points to spare in the end but they needed a strong final quarter to finally shake-off the challenge of the visitors who remain in the relegation battle on the back of this result.

Colm Judge and Ross Nally did most of the damage for the hosts in the first half, while substitute Jamie Kelly came to the fore in the second period as his side came strong in the end.

The Blues began brightly and were three points to the good before the Pats got off the mark and three points from Danny O’Connor along with an Evan White effort had the visitors ahead for the first time.

The Blues rallied and with Nally and Judge on target they went on to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break with Gavin Gregory adding two points for the Pats.

On 39 minutes Danny O’Connor scored the only goal of the game to put his side ahead but they were unable to push on from there as the Blues took command and with Kelly slotting over some good scores they ran out deserving winners.

NEWTOWN BLUES: Dean Martin; Paul Kellegher, Cormac Reynolds, Ronan Levins; Alan Connor, John Connolly, James Murray; Stephen Moonan, John Kermode 0-1; Conor Branigan, Thomas Costello, Paul Moore; Colm Judge 0-4, Ross Nally 0-6, Conor Moore. Subs: Brian Kermode for R Levins, Thomas Costello for J Connolly, Jamie Kelly 0-5 for J Murray, Lorcan McQuillan for S Moonan, Hugh McGinn 0-1 for T Costello.

ST PATRICKS: Sean Connor; Leonard Gray, Dessie Finnegan, Jason Woods; Ray Finnegan 0-1, Rory Duffy, Conor Grogan; Darren O’Hanlon, Thomas McCann; Evan White 0-1, Cathal Grogan, Aidan McCann; Gavin Gregory 0-2, Jack Murphy, Daniel O’Connor 1-4. Subs: Tadhg O’Connor and Ross Murphy.