St Pat’s in last chance saloon

ST PATRICK’S have just one opportunity to save their intermediate status after they went down to Ballinlough 3-6 to 1-10 in a relegation semi-final at Bective on Saturday.

The Stamullen men now face last year’s semi-finalists Castletown in the relegation decider, with the losers of that one dropping down to junior ranks.

After leading by six points early in the second half the east Meath side conceded three goals, leaving them facing the prospect of relegation for the second successive year.

Following a slow start St Patrick’s hit five successive scores and they eventually led 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.

They added a goal and a point to their tally in the third quarter before veteran Peadar Byrne started the Ballinlough revival with a goal on 45 minutes. Substitutes Conor Fleming and Ronan McGuinness added two further goals to help Ballinlough to a narrow win.

Castletown also let a comfortable lead slip as they went down to Drumbaragh in the other relegation semi-final in what was a high scoring affair at Moynalty, the Kells parish side winning 3-16 to 4-10.

Two goals from Riain Monaghan boosted Castletown to a 2-6 to 0-9 interval lead. Drumbaragh hit back strongly in the third quarter to go three clear. With 10 minutes remaining the teams were level and Castletown regained the lead in the closing stages from a Kevin Ross free.

However Drumbaragh struck with a late goal and that was enough to give them a hardearned victory.

Last year’s beaten final Trim will be favourites for intermediate honours when they take on Ballinabrackey in the decider on Saturday week.

The town outfit produced a really impressive display to overcome Kilmainham 4-18 to 1-9 in the first of the semi-finals on Saturday.

Eoin O’Connor set them on their way with a goal inside two minutes. O’Connor struck a second goal and Alan Douglas added another as Trim enjoyed a 3-7 to 1-4 interval lead.

Trim’s fourth goal arrived from Ciaran Joyce six minutes into the second half. Full forward Aaron Lynch top-scored for the winners with nine points while Mickey Newman contributed four points for Kilmainham.

The second semi was a rip-roaring affair with Ballinabrackey defeating St Michael’s 3-13 to 1-13. The Offaly border side led 2-10 to 1-10 at half-time and still had six points to spare at the final whistle.