Colleges' GAA: Meath minor footballer Cian Ward landed a total of 2-4 as Colm O'Rourke's St Patrick's side captured the North Leinster League title in Navan yesterday.
St Joseph's, managed by former Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey, had led at the break but still had to rely on the goalkeeping talents of Stephen Gallagher to keep the Meath schoolboys out in the first half.
Leading 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval, David Glennon added a point for St Joseph's before St Patrick's were awarded their second penalty of the game on 33 minutes. Ward converted and their third goal came 10 minutes later when Kevin Mulvaney netted.
St Joseph's came back into the game with Glennon sending over consecutive frees and they were handed further hope when Brian Cassidy landed a fine score to put just a point between the two sides. Substitute Shane O'Rourke, son of Colm, then pointed to ease the pressure for St Patrick's.
Although Michael McAdden, the St Joseph's wing back, added his second point of the game, St Patrick's finished off with efforts from Henry Finnegan and Ward.
ST PATRICK'S, NAVAN: M Gaffney; C McGuinness, K Reilly, C Byrne; N McMahon, P Murray, D Corcoran; K Kenny, B Meade (0-2); S O'Toole, H Finnegan (0-1), P Smith; K Mulvaney (1-0), C Ward (2-4, two penalties, one 45, three frees), C O'Dwyer. Subs: S O'Rourke (0-1) for O'Dwyer (half-time), B O'Donovan for C Byrne half-time, D Claire for Gaffney (55 mins).
ST JOSEPH'S, ROCHFORTBRIDGE: S Gallagher; H De Burca, S Hannon, M McAdden (0-2); R Foley, T Gonoud, D Price; G Hoey, B Cassidy; G Hickey (0-3, one free), D Glennon (1-5, one pen, two frees); B Smith, D Mooney (0-1), B Mealliff; A Divine. Subs: K Reid for D Price (45 mins), K Mooney for Mealliff (50 mins).
Referee: S McCormack (Meath).
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