Local neighbours drop out of the top flight

EAST Meath clubs St Patrick’s and St Colmcille’s both lost their Division 1 league status following their final round of games last week.

St Patrick’s fate had already been decided prior to their defeat by Wolfe Tones, 1-10 to 0-9, as the Stamullen men won just two of their 13 matches.

St Colmcille’s went down 1-15 to 0-7 in their final game, but even victory in that one wouldn’t have been enough to save them after Moynalvey defeated O’Mahony’s 3-13 to 0-12.

Moynalvey retained their Division 1 status following victory over the third-placed team in Division 2, Rathkenny, while Oldcastle and Syddan replace the relegated east Meath duo in Division 1 for 2019.

The Division 1 decider will in arrears, but Oldcastle eventually went 0-7 to 0-4 clear following points from Robert Farrelly and keeper McHugh.

A Padraic Dillon goal effort was blocked by McHugh, but Syddan finished the half in determined fashion, with Daire Rowe contributing three points (two frees) before Paddy Farrelly edged his side ahead in first-half added time.

It didn’t take long for Oldcastle be between Gaeil Colmcille and Skryne. The Tara men defeated Summerhill in a semi-final, 3-16 to 3-14, on Sunday morning.

Three clubs lost their Division 2 status. Castletown and Walterstown were both automatically relegated and they were joined by Blackhall Gaels at the weekend after Carnaross - third in Division 3 - caused an upset by winning 4-13 to 0-13. to regain the lead at the start of the second half and they hit five successive points to open up a 0-12 to 0-8 advantage.

McHugh equalised from a 45 after Ryan Summersby had earlier cleared off the Syddan goal-line, and Robert Farrelly was proving a handful at that stage as Oldcastle threatened to pull well clear.

Points from Brian Dillon and Sean Clare kept Syddan in touch,

Also up from Division 3 are Bective and Meath Hill who played out an exciting draw in the final on Saturday.

Cortown and Clann na nGael drop out of Division 3, but thirdfrom-bottom St Vincent’s held on following a 2-18 to 2-7 win over St Brigid’s. Promoted from Division 4 are champions Moynalty, who defeated Ballivor 2-9 to 0-14 in the final on Sunday. TUESDAY JULY 17

Football B League at 8.0

Div 4: Simonstown Gaels v Bective, P Mooney.

THURSDAY JULY 19

Dunganny: St Patrick’s v Na Fianna, JHC, 8.0.

SATURDAY JULY 21

Tullamore: Meath v Kildare, Leinster Minor Football Championship Final, 2.0, D Sheppard (Dublin).

Trim: Meath v Derry, U-21B Hurling semi-final, 5.0.