Gritty St Pat’s overcome six-point deficit to come out tops in thriller

St Patrick’s Navan 2-9 Knockbeg College Carlow 0-13 (AET)

Leading by six points at half-time and maintaining a three points advantage entering the closing stages Knockbeg seemed destined to triumph but a goalkeeping error cost them dearly and they lost out in extra time.

Credit St. Pat’s though for the manner in which they stormed back to register a victory after an enthralling contest.

Knockbeg, with brilliant midfielder Donie Kingston kicking magnificently, led by 0-7 to 0-1 at the interval.

However, the tide turned after the break with St. Pat’s emerging as the dominant force and with full forward Brian Sheridan and Darragh Smyth on the left wing turning in splendid performances the Navan lads came within range with a series of good points.

They were trailing by 0-8 to 0-5 when Smyth’s long range deceived goalkeeper Stephen Miller and ended up in the net for a most fortuituous equaliser.

Knockbeg rallied however, and seemed to be in pole position again following a brace of points from Conor Delaney and Ambrose Doran. But never-say-die St. Pat’s came back to send the game into additional time with late scores from Brian Sheridan and Joe Mulhare.

Then in the first period of extra time St. Pat’s made their move for victory when substitute forward John Rogers punched home the all-important goal. Knockbeg never gave up the chase but were denied on two occasions by goalkeeper Barry Carolan.

Scorers for St. Patrick’s: D. Smyth 1-0; J. Rogers 1-0; B. Sheridan 0-4 (0-3 from frees); K. Lynch, D. Maguire, P. O’Rourke, C. O’Sullivan and S. Moran 0-1 each.

Scorers for Knockbeg College: D. Kingston 0-5 (0-4 from frees); A, Doran 0-4; C. Delaney 0-2; K. Delaney and J. McLoughlin 0-1 each.

ST. PATRICK’S: B. Carolan; B. McGrane, K. Lynch, G. Sheridan; D. Morgan, D. Maguire, R. Barry; P. O’Rourke, C. O’Sullivan; R. Shields S. Moran, D. Smyth; J. Regan, B. Sheridan, J. Owens.

Subs: D. Kelly for Shields; J. Rogers for Regan.

KNOCKBEG COLLEGE: S. Miller; C. Beale, J. Mulhare, C. Smith; A, Higgins, K. Murphy, C. Coughlan; S. Ramsbottom, D. Kingston; K. Delaney, B. O’Neill, S. Attridge; J. McLoughlin, A, Doran, C. Delaney.

Subs: C. Campion for O’Neill; A. Shore for Attridge.

Referee: E. Murtagh (Longford).