St Patricks 5-08
Navan O'Mahonys 0-3

After last weeks disappointment of a defeat at the hands of Oldcastle in the league semi-final, St Patricks dusted themselves off to take part in the Shield Final against Navan O'Mahony's. The two teams had met only a month ago in an earlier round of the league and it was Pat's that took full points despite home advantage to O'Mahonys.

Slane's pitch in Monknewtown set the scene for the battle on a Sunday morning when the sun shone brightly but the wind blew hard, gusting at times. Not ideal conditions but would test the skill and tenacity of both teams.

Pat's got down to business with a goal within the first minute from centre half forward Annie Smith. Hazel Callaghan and Debbie Maughan at centre field took control of their domain and distributed the ball well to their forwards. Eight minutes in and Kissane added a point from a free. Annie Smith took another point and was controlling the half forward line and causing havoc for O'Mahony's. Fourteen minutes in and O'Mahonys registered their first score, a point from play but rallies into the Pat's defense were few and far between. Maughan and Kissane both took a goal each and with ten minutes left in the half, Pat's were ahead by ten points. O'Mahonys scored another point from play , their last of the half. The Pat's did not relent in their attack and continued to run on the O'Mahony's back line. Annie Smith having a stormer, rattled the next again for the Pat's. Kissane not to be outdone did likewise before the end of the half , giving the Pat's a comfortable lead at half time: St Patricks 5-3; O'Mahonys 0-2.

The windy conditions had not relented by the start of the second half and affected both teams in their efforts to score points. The Pat's sent three wide and O'Mahonys one wide in the first ten minutes of the half. Caroline Macken in goals produced vital saves in the 9th and 21st minute that could have easily altered the balance of power, ultimately denying O'Mahony's any chance of a reprisal. Kissane and Ciara Rothwell were more accurate in their next attempts and took a point each. These scores seem to settle the Pat's down, somewhat disjointed in their play since resumption of the second half. O'Mahonys were unable to breach the formidable Pat's back line of Sheridan, Andrews and Dinsmore. Laura Rowe, Ciara McQuillan and Katie Dowling worked well together in the half back line, gathering and clearing a lot of breaking ball. O'Mahonys to their credit continued to contest well and Pat's could not afford to relent lest the opposition would turn the game around. O'Mahonys took another point in the 21stminute but the Pat's finished in fine style with a point each from Smith, Kissane and Dowling .

Despite the scoreline this was no walkover for the Pat's side. Navan O'Mahonys did themselves proud but could surely not begrudge this team their victory after such an excellent campaign. Some great individual performances during this game but it is their team work that ultimately earned them their win. Congratulations to all the Pat's team.

St Patricks : Caroline Macken, Sarah Sheridan, Stephanie Andrews, Megan Dinsmore, Laura Rowe, Katie Dowling(0-1), Ciara McQuillan, Debbie Maughan(1-0), Hazel Callaghan, Eimear McCausland(0-1), Annie Smith(2-2), Chloe Kissane(2-3), Ciara Flynn, Fionnuala McCausland, Ciara Rothwell(0-1), Laura Arnold, Meaghan Dinsmore. Tweet

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