For the second evening running there was a surprise outcome in a hoganstand.com SFC fixture at Pairc Tailteann where St Patrick's beat Donaghmore-Ashbourne on Saturday.

Group B

St Patrick's ....................... 1-11
Donaghmore-Ashbourne ............... 1-8

A gutsy display in an exciting second-half saw St Pat's repel their east county rivals, to record a win over Donaghmore-Ashbourne in the group stages for the second year running.

Niall Mooney accuracy from frees, including one from over 50-metres to close St Pat's account in the 58th minute, was significant to the outcome.

St Pat's had substitute Keith Whearty red-carded at this stage but had enough in hand to withstand a late barrage from last year's beaten semi-finalists to get their Group B campaign off to a winning start.

Workrate was central this win by Mick Bohan's men, exemplified by Ronan Kearns who operated in a sweeping role despite wearing the number 15 shirt.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne won a recent A FL Division 1 meeting between the sides and were also victorious in last year's top-flight league decider.

That trend look set to continue as Leo Turley's men had the better of the early territorial and possessional exchanges in a dour opening half. They had points from Andrew Tormey and David Morgan to show for their dominance of the opening ten minutes.

Seconds after Niall Whearty was off target with a long range free, Donal Landy opened the Stamullen-men account. Before the opening quarter ended Niall Mooney levelled matters from a free.

St Pat's hit the front when Niall Whearty landed an 18th minute free for a foul on Andrew Mooney. Another Niall Mooney free left the Stamullen-men 0-4 to 0-2.

Sean Curran pushed forward but saw his goal attempt blocked by St Pat's 'keeper Robert Cluskey. The Ashbourne-men responded with points from Andrew Tormey and Ciaran Beirne to tie matters at 0-4-each by the 24th minute.

St Pat's contained last year's beaten semi-finalists and secured a minimum margin interval advantage, 0-5 to 0-4, with Niall Mooney's third pointed free of the half.

All four of Donaghmore-Ashbourne first-half points came from play while St Pat's could manage only one such score in the opening half, courtesy of Donal Landy's opening score for his side.

Seconds into the second period, St Pat's were further boosted. Niall Whearty's delivery was fumbled by Donaghmore-Ashbourne 'keeper Jack Hannigan and Shane Landy netted at the hospital end despite efforts of defender JP Casserly.

Six points separated the sides when Niall Whearty converted a 35th minute free. Ciaran Beirne's 43rd minute fisted goal left just three points in it.

St Pat's responded with points from Niall Mooney (free) before Donal Landy's perseverence was rewarded with a fine point and it was 1-9 to 1-5. The Stamullen-men were on their way to a memorable win which netminder Robert Cluskey contributed to with a fine save from Donaghmore-Ashbourne sub Tony Morgan, in stoppage time.

Scorers: St Patrick's - Niall Mooney 0-5 (fs), Shane Landy 1-0; Donal Landy, Niall Whearty (fs) 0-3 each.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andrew Tormey 0-4 (2fs); Ciaran Beirne 1-1; David Morgan, Tony Morgan, Bryan Menton 0-1 each.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Jack Hannigan; JP Casserly, Cormac McGill (C), Sean Curran; Ciaran Ellis, Eoin Reilly, Paul Gilligan; Rory O'Connor, Bryan Menton; Andrew Tormey, Shane Melia, John Broderick; Ciaran Beirne, Matthew Devine, David Morgan. Subs - E Callaghan for Devine (37), Tony Morgan for Rory O'Connor (46).

St Patrick's - Robert Cluskey; David Stafford, David McQuillan, Andy Reilly; Shane McGinty, Kieran Lynch, Shane Dowling; Niall Mooney, Cormac Sullivan; Niall Whearty, Alan Vickers, Andrew Mooney; Donal Landy, Shane Landy, Ronan Kearns. Subs - Keith Whearty for Reilly (52), JP Ryan for S Landy, Niall O'Flaherty for N Whearty (both 59).

Referee - David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels) Tweet

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