Joan Connolly from sponsors Seamus Connolly Catering and Brian Carberry Meath Development Officer present the Corn na Boinne to St Patrick's captain John Curtis.

Late burst secures Corn na Boinne for St Pat's

A devastating burst in the closing stages during which they hit eight unanswered points in as many minutes secured a first Corn na Boinne success for St Patrick's against their east Meath neighbours Duleek-Bellewstown on a 0-14 to 0-8 score line at Masterson Park, Ardcath on Tuesday evening, writes Sean Wall.

It was a finish that Aintree hero the mighty Tiger Roll would have been proud of as the Stamullen men sprinted clear in the final straight to make up for the disappointment of losing the 2021 decider to Trim, the last time the final was played.

Duleek-Bellewstown had raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the 10th minute and scores were at a premium after that until St Patrick's hit that late scoring spree.

There was just a point between the teams at half-time, Joe Sheridan's side ahead 0-5 to 0-4, and Duleek-Bellewstown were two clear on a couple of occasions in the third quarter. Two points still separated them until young full forward Jamie Murphy reduced it to the minimum on 55 minutes.

Substitute Conall O Fuirsuige levelled it at 0-8 apiece less than a minute later and then Donal Landy pointed his side in front from a free that resulted in a black card for Duleek-Bellewstown sub Darren Heeney.

It was the first time St Patrick's had led and sensing victory they kicked on in emphatic style with points from Donal Landy (three), Murphy and Shane Landy in as many minutes to finish well clear at the final whistle.

It was Duleek-Bellewstown who had made the more promising start to proceedings with early points from John McDonnell (two) and Eoghan Heeney inside seven minutes.

Jamie Murphy had St Patrick's off the mark with a great effort from the left wing before Kevin McCann and Jamie Crosby (free) added to the Duleek-Bellewstown tally.

St Patrick's gradually clawed their way into contention and points from Donal Landy, Murphy and Niall Mooney in a four minute spell had it back to the minimum at the break.

On the stroke of half-time Ciaran Flynn hit a goal effort wide of the target and three minutes into the second half Duleek-Bellewstown went close to finding the net again, but this time St Patrick's 'keeper Darragh Sullivan came to his side's rescue to save from Eoghan Heeney.

St Patrick's also went close to netting in the early stages of the second half when the outstanding Murphy sent a teasing delivery towards Donal Landy who managed to get a touch but Cianan Byrne booted off the goal line.

The accuracy of Jamie Crosby kept Duleek-Bellewstown two clear while Donal Landy ensured that St Patrick's remained firmly in touch.

With five minutes of normal time remaining it look as if the Ronan Kearns/Daithi Whyte's managed side would need a goal to snatch victory but they finally found their mojo with a finish that simply blew their opponents away.

SCORERS

St Patrick's - Donal Landy 0-7 two frees; Jamie Murphy 0-4; Conall O Fuirsuige 0-1; Niall Mooney 0-1; Shane Landy 0-1 one free.

Duleek-Bellewstown - Jamie Crosby 0-4 two frees; John McDonnell 0-2 one free; Kevin McCann 0-1; Eoghan Heeney 0-1.

TEAMS

St Patrick's - Darragh Sullivan; Adam Byrne, David McQuillan, Liam Brennan; David Stafford, Darren Hagan, Shane Dowling; Dylan McCreedy, John Curtis; Shane Landy, Neil O'Flaherty, Duguid McDonagh; Donal Landy, Jamie Murphy, Niall Mooney. Subs - Conall O Fuirsuige for McDonagh, Kieran Lynch for Mooney, Barry Mooney for McCreedy all half-time, Michael McNulty for Stafford 51 mins, Sean Hackett for S Landy 62m.

Duleek-Bellewstown - Ryan Lynch; Sam O'Leary, Kevin McCann, Colm Regan; Chris Woods, Brian Fitzpatrick, Cianan Byrne; Jamie Flaherty, Cian Ryan; Oisin Miland, James McWeeney, Jamie Crosby; John McDonnell, Ciaran Flynn, Eoghan Heeney. Subs - Padraig Howard for Fitzpatrick 39 mins, Darren Heeney for E Heeney 41m, Kyle Callaghan for Woods 51m, Joe Harford for Flynn 53m.

Referee - Keith Sheerin (Drumconrath)