St Patricks got their minor league
campaign off to a winning start
with a narrow two point victory
over local rivals Leitrim in Ballyvarley.
The Ballela/Ballyvarley combination
could have wished for an easier
game to get their season underway
but in a fast-flowing, tough-tackling
encounter they managed to get the
narrow verdict in this clash of
minor hurling specialists.
The game began at a thrilling pace
with Jamie Murray’s brace
of points being quickly cancelled
out by the Leitrim attack. Paul
O’Neill then gave the home
side the lead before a fast moving
Leitrim attack scythed through the
Red rearguard for two crushing goals
to open up a telling gap. However
St Patricks gradually gained midfield
control through Paul O’Neill
and his four converted frees and
a point from Niall Burns eventually
drew the sides level deep into the
second quarter. Almost on queue
Leitrim responded again with a swift
attack down the right wing and once
more they applied the lethal finish
with another stunning goal to edge
in front again. St Pats responded
with typical determination and two
points from Noel Burns and another
from Jamie Murray left it all square
at the interval with it all to play
for in the second half.
Half time: St Patricks 0-11 Leitrim
3-2
Leitrim came storming out after
the break and threatened to blow
St Patricks away. Two quick points
followed by another devastating
goal left St Patricks floundering
but a few quick switches and a power-packed
display from midfielder Paul O’Neill
pulled the home side back into contention.
First he soloed through for a point
and then moments later pushed forward
with the attack, where he collected
from a long range free before bursting
through to send the ball to the
back of the Leitrim net. A Leitrim
point punctuated his efforts but
then he was back on the scoring
trail again with surging runs up-field
that produced two great points from
play and two converted frees. St
Patricks had come from five points
down to take a two point lead and
when Tony Hegarty showed great skill
to double on an overhead ball and
send it to the net it looked as
though the home side had finally
wrapped up the points. But once
more the pendulum swung in this
exciting encounter and a late goal
and a point from Leitrim produced
a nail-biting finish and there were
sighs of relief all round when full-forward
Niall McAleenan collected a high
ball and struck over the insurance
point to give St Pats their narrow
victory.
A good team performance from St
Patricks on their first outing and
performances showed an all round
improvement as the game progressed.
Ryan Haughey, Kieran Maguire, Sean
O’Hare, James McDermott, Niall
Burns, Paul O’Neill, Ronan
McConville, Thomas McKernan and
Jamie Murray were consistently strong
in a great game of hurling.
Final Score: St Patricks 2-17 Leitrim
5-6
Team: Michael McAllister; Ryan
Haughey, Kieran Maguire, James Kennedy;
Sean O’Hare, James McDermott,
Niall Burns(0-3); Paul O’Neill(1-10),
Ronan McConville;
Patrick Mackin, Conor McClorey,
Thomas McKernan; Jamie Murray(0-3),
Niall McAleenan(0-1), Tony Hegarty(1-0).
Subs: Conor Strain, Michael Downey
