O'Mahonys earn recompense

In a blistering six minute spell immediately after half-time Navan O'Mahonys raised their standards above the parapet of mediocrity and clinched the A FL Div 1 title with a convincing victory over St Patrick's at Ashbourne on Saturday. The five-point margin of victory doesn't do justice to O'Mahonys superiority as St Patrick's goal came with the last kick of the ball when Niall Mooney rattled Mark Brennan's net to add a modicum of respectability to the differential. For the majority of this attritional encounter both sides were more intent on seeing who could hit harder and be more disruptive than who was the better football team. Several players from both sides were more intent of being overly aggressive and that contributed to a fractured contest that was illuminated by the excellence of Stephen Bray (pictured). The 2007 Allstar was the brightest light in a dull encounter. Almost everything he touched turned to gold and it was his excellence of execution and superb creativity that drove O'Mahonys to success. Not only did Bray contribute seven points to the cause, but he was also central to most of what O'Mahonys did well. It was his outstanding pass that set up Alan Forde for the decisive goal and his presence caused the St Patrick's defence to have an uneasy evening. When O'Mahonys did manage to break free from the grips of their opponents they had the better performers. Kevin Reilly returned from international duty in Australia to dominate defence and with Niall McKeigue, Shane Crosby and Ian Matthews also doing well the St Patrick's danger men struggled to get going. Cormac McGuinness and Barry Regan were lively at midfield, but it was the magnificence of Bray and the pace of Darragh Smyth and Alan Forde that caused St Patrick's the most problems. The majority of the contest was dire and it was clear from early on that both sides wanted to flex their muscles with several heavy tackles and dangerous hits dominating the opening stages. With so much concentration on a show of strength it was no surprise that it took 12 minutes for the opening score to arrive. After watching the Stamullen side kick five wides in the opening 11 minutes O'Mahonys got off the mark when Reilly set up Bray for the opener. Two minutes later Barry Regan took advantage of sloppy defending to double O'Mahonys advantage. Those scores showed St Patrick's the way and they got back on level terms when Barry Campbell showed his skills to loft over and then Mooney found a rare inch of space off Gary O'Brien to restore parity. Bray proved he was in a different class by restoring O'Mahonys lead and even after Niall Whearty levelled again for St Patrick's it was Bray who shoved O'Mahonys ahead again with another piece of individual genius. After the slow start St Patrick's ensured parity at the break when Brian Calvey pointed to make it 0-4 each. However, that was as good as it got for the Stamullen side. Bray edged O'Mahonys ahead again within 24 seconds of the restart and by the 34th minute the game was over as Bray picked out Forde and he held his feet well to fire a brilliant goal before McKeigue showed an eye for the net with a great finish to make it 2-5 to 0-4. That brief period of superb incisive football from O'Mahonys was enough to win the game and subsequently the contest dipped back below mediocrity. Smyth forced Eabhainn Connolly into a fine save and he then poked an untidy effort wide of the post from close range. However, those misses mattered little as Bray added two more points before Donal Landy scored St Patrick's first point of the second-half with just 12 minutes remaining to make it 0-5 to 2-7. Jake Regan and Bray (free) closed O'Mahonys account and despite registering late points from Andrew Reilly and Campbell (free) and an even later goal from Mooney St Patrick's had to settle for second best. Navan O'Mahonys - M Brennan; S MacGabhann, K Reilly, I Matthews; S Crosby, N McKeigue (1-0), G O'Brien; B Regan (0-1), C McGuinness; D Moran, A Forde (1-0), D Smyth; J Regan (0-1), S Bray (0-7 two frees), D Maguire. Subs - A Rogers for Moran 44 mins, S Gillespie for J Regan 51m, S O'Toole for Maguire 57m. St Patrick's - E Connolly; D Stafford, K Whearty, A Mooney; R Russell, D Hagan, R Kearns; B Calvey (0-1), C Calvey; N Mooney (1-1), B Campbell (0-2 one free), F Everard; D Landy (0-1), N Whearty (0-1 free), D Whyte. Subs - J P Ryan for N Whearty 40 mins, B Mooney for Kearns 48m, A Reilly (0-1) for A Mooney 48m. Referee - Joey Curley (Moynalty).