St. Patrick's win south Under 21 C football final

Played on a cold, dry but windy day in monroe this was an open free flowing fast game with both teams serving up some excellent football. Fr.Sheehy’s had the better of the opening exchanges playing fast open football but were missing many scoreable opportunities. The St.Pats backs soon got the measure of their opponents and the tide began to turn. Two goals from Tony O’Brien and points from Nicky Kearney and Brendan Gleeson had St.Pats leading 2-4 to 1-2 by the end of the opening quarter. St.Pats were now dominating the game and when Brenden Gleeson scored a superb goal St.Pats led by nine points 3-6 to 1-3. However Fr.Sheehy’s fought back well in the final minutes of the first half narrowing the margin to two points by half time 3-6 to 2-7. With Fr.Sheehy’s gaining wind advantage a close second half was on the cards. However within a minute of the restart St.Pats had the ball in the back of the Fr.Sheehys net. St.Pats forwards were now running riot throught the Fr.sheehy’s back line clocking up excelent scores. Two cracking goals from Mark Slattery seemed to put the game out of reach of Fr.Sheehy’s as St.Pats were now twelve points ahead. However Fr.Sheehy’s never gave up the battle and when Damien Barry was sent to the line for a second yellow card offence it seemed they may still have a chance. Despite the pressure, St.Pats defended well and closed out the game with a final score of St.Pats  5-13   Fr.Sheehy’s  2-12. This was an impressive display by St.Patrick’s who were well prepared for the game by there coaches Davy Hogan and Eamon Hall. Missing their captain Gavin Strappe St.Pats had a strong defence where Eamon Needham, Willie O’Brian and Robbie Meagher stood out but it was up front that they had too many aces for Fr.Sheehy’s. Tony O’Brien, Nicky Kearney and Mark Mullally all took excellent scores but it was the speed of Mark Slattery and Brenden Gleeson that proved too much for the Fr.Sheehy’s defence to handle. So well done to the lads and we look forward to the junior championship with optimism.