St Patrick's seal JHC crown

St Patrick's returned to the IHC ranks after a convincing win over Kildalkey

St Patrick’s 1-15

Kildalkey 0-11

Despite the fact that they had a stint in the IHC ranks since, St Patrick’s secured their first JHC title since 2013 with a victory over Kildalkey in Ratoath on Saturday and will compete in the IHC B in 2027.

It was a fair performance from the Stamullen-based outfit who made the most of a strong breeze in the first-half and closed out the contest well in the second. Late addition to the starting 15, Daniel Lenehan contributed some massive scores, including an early goal that set Peter Coyne’s side on the path to victory.

Sam Geraghty also contributed handsomely to the scoreboard. Geraghty’s energetic performance was particularly eye-catching as he dominated proceedings in the middle third and linked up play well for St Patrick’s.

Kildakey had some good spells in the contest and Podger Geoghegan knocked over a few lovely scores. In truth though, the result never really seemed in doubt and for the majority of the contest the Thomas Kane Cup looked destined for Stamullen.

The eventual winners led by nine points at the end of the third quarter and from there the contest somewhat petered out as both sides' discipline started to decline. Yellow cards were aplenty and Kildalkey were reduced to 14 men late on when Aaron Byas was given his marching orders.

The writing was on the wall early on as St Patrick’s rattled off 1-3 in the first five minutes. 1-2 of that tally came from the hurl Daniel Lenehan. Declan Lenehan set him for his goal in the second minute after Ger O’Donoghue opened the scoring for St Patrick’s. Alex Curran and Geraghty also provided assists for Daniel Lenehan who seemed to have the freedom of Sean Eiffe Park early on.

Noel Kirby got Kildalkey off the mark before Declan Lenehan was awarded a point after some uncertainty from the umpire. Ryan Byas was introduced to the action for Kildalkey after just 11 minutes. He traded scores with O’Donoghue but at the end of the first quarter, St Patrick’s led 1-5 to 0-2.

A Kirby free in the 21st minute was all that Kildakey could muster for the remainder of the half and that free was immediately cancelled out by Alex Hutcheson. Two points from Geraghty followed, the second of which was a super long-range score from just inside his own half. On the cusp of the half-time whistle, Neil O’Flaherty increased St Patrick’s advantage and at the break they led 1-9 to 0-3.

Soon after the interval, Geraghty set up Hutcheson for a nice score before Kildalkey responded with a point from their half-time substitute Francis Doran. O’Donoghue had a half-goal chance blocked by Kildalkey keeper Aaron Traynor and Daniel Lenehan was unlucky not to convert the resulting ‘65’ as his effort came back off the post.

A few minutes later Daniel Lenehan did extend St Patrick’s lead further before O’Flaherty, Ger Smith and Aaron Callaghan were all involved in a lovely passage of play that was polished off by Geraghty. After 37 minutes, St Patrick's held a considerable advantage of 1-12 to 0-4.

Two points from Geoghegan and Sean Heavey got Kildakey back on track before Heavey picked out Derek Doran with a sideline cut and the latter split the posts. At the end of the third quarter, a Daniel Lenehan free extended the gap back out to nine points.

Geoghegan produced a lovely spin and shoot move to pull one back for Kildalkey and followed that nice score up with another point which reduced the gap back to seven with seven minutes left. However, a brace of scores from Daniel Lenehan in the 53rd and 54th minute put to bed any slender hopes that were left lingering for Kildalkey.

Tempers flared in the closing stages as the frequency in which referee Brendan Byrne was forced to reach for his pocket increased. Kildalkey were reduced to 14 men when Aaron Byas was shown a red card by the Kilmainham official. Two late Patrick Casey frees were nothing more than consolation scores as the final whistle confirmed St Patrick’s as JHC champions for 2026.

St Patrick’s: Brian Calvey; Oisín Callaghan, Conor Power, Ralph Boland; Vincent O’Donoghue, Tadgh Lenehan, Alex Curran; Sam Geraghty (0-4), Gerald O’Donoghue (0-2); Aaron Callaghan, Neil O’Flaherty (0-1), Daniel Lenehan (1-5 two frees); Declan Lenehan (0-1), Ger Smith, Alex Hutcheson (0-2). Subs: Matthew Lenehan for Callaghan, Tom Elliott for Smith both 45m.

Kildalkey: Aaron Traynor; Daniel Quinn, Enda Fitzgerald, Martin Doran; Ross Thompson, Sean Heavey (0-1), Ciaran Browne; Lee Coldrick, Padraig Geoghegan (0-3); Aaron Byas, Patrick Casey (0-2 frees), James Cully; Steven Murray, Noel Kirby (0-2 one free), Derek Doran (0-1). Subs: Ryan Byas (0-1) for Coldrick 11m, Francis Doran (0-1) for Kirby half-time, Eoghan Monaghan for Cully 45m, Joey Feenane for Browne 55m, Daire Lahart for D Doran 60m.

Referee: Brendan Byrne (Kilmainham).