St Patrick's, Navan 1-12
Colaiste Eoin, Stillorgan 2-8

Conor Sheridan's late goal earned St Patrick's Classical School Navan victory over Colaiste Eoin, Stillorgan in the Leinster Colleges SFC final by the narrowest margin at Parnell Park, Dublin on Sunday.

The Simonstown clubman struck the crucial score after his 60th minute penalty kick was parried by Colaiste Eoin 'keeper Daniel O Caoimh.

Two minutes of stoppage time yielded a point for Colaiste Eoin substitute Maitias MacDonncha as the Navan lads held on for a ninth outright win in this competition and first since 2007.

The outcome was hard on the Stillorgan school side who found themselves seven points in arrears after 37 minutes.

At this point the introduction of MacDonncha and Alex O Maoilmhiaigh changed the course of the game and almost clinched a first success in this grade since 1998 for the Irish language school and second in all.

The pair contributed 1-3 between them as the south Dublin school battled back into contention with Arran O Murchu and Jude MacSuibhne also prominent.

Within three minutes of his arrival, O Maoilmhiaigh netted for wind-assisted Colaiste Eoin and the deficit was down to three points, 1-4 to 0-10.

St Pat's - who led by 0-8 to 0-1 after 22 minutes - were on the back foot and might have been in further bother but Marc Schutte's goal attempt struck the butt of an upright.

When the ball was recycled MacDonncha posted his second point and the Moatlands school's lead was down to the minimum.

The scores were tied for the only time when Donal Sutcliffe landed a 40-metre free at the Donnycarney Church end.

Points from the O'Mahonys' pair Alan Forde and Shane Gillespie left Colm O'Rourke's and Paul Byrne's charges with a 0-12 to 1-7 by the 56th minute.

Then Schutte pounced on uncertainly in the St Pat's defence and Colaiste Eoin were in front for the first time.

After Colaiste Eoin passed up a couple of chances to extend their lead, a foul on Fiachra Ross led to the penalty award.

Syddan club member Ross was the main man in the early exchanges posting St Pat's first four scores as his side raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead nine minutes in.

St Pat's went on to lead by 0-8 to 0-2 at half-time. When Gillespie became the fifth forward on the Meath school side to register it was 0-10 to 0-3 by the 36th minute.

Cue, the spirited recovery that just came up short for Colaiste Eoin.

St Patrick's - C. Flynn; C. Wickham, C. McConnell, C. Noonan; N. Groome, D. Maguire (0-1), C. Finnegan; C. Sheridan (1-0), S. Barry; C. Fitzsimons, A. Forde (0-2), P. Fox (0-1); F. Ross (0-4), S. Gillespie (0-2), F. McEntee (0-2). Sub - L. Burke for Fitzsimons (ht).

Colaiste Eoin - D. O Caoimh; S. O Seasnain, E O Loinsigh, D. O hAodha; G. O Fogartaigh, A. O Murchu (0-1), J. MacCionnaith; J. MacSuibhne, D. Sutcliffe (0-2, 1 45, 1 f); M. Schutte (1-0), P. O Dalaigh, C. MacGearailt; B. O Murchu (0-1 f), S. MacCraithe, P. O Fogartaigh (0-1). Subs - C. MacBineid for O hAodha (8), M. O Duibhir for O Dalaigh (ht), A. O Maoilmhiaigh (1-0) for P. O Fogartaigh, Matias MacDonncha (0-3) for MacGearailt (both 37), O Dalaigh for O Murchu (55).

Referee - D. Fahy (Longford). Tweet

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