Kevin Nimmo's hat-trick of goals was central to the outcome as St Patrick's College Drumcondra outscored Meath in this Kehoe Cup semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

St Patrick's, Drumcondra 5-16
Meath 1-16

When Nimmo completed his haul in the 51st minute, the score was 4-12 to 1-10 and St Pat's were through to a final tilt at another third-level college GMIT (Galway Mayo IT).

Time was almost up when former Kilkenny minor captain Canice Maher capitalized on slackness in the Meath rearguard to complete his side goal tally.

Essentially that was the difference between the sides. St Pat's took their goal chances, Meath were less successful in that regard.

Nimmo's tally was matched by Niall Arthur the Clareman put nine points to his name from placed balls and play.

Nicky Horan scored eight points for Meath. Had the Kilmessan stalwart's 46th minute effort found the net instead of going over the bar, the holders would have been six points off the pace at that time.

Five of his second-half scores came from frees while a goal attempt from a close range placed ball was parried by St Pat's 'keeper Stephen Murphy.

Five points ahead the break, 3-7 to 1-8, St Pat's went 11 points clear by the end of the third quarter, 4-12 to 1-10.

A Noel Kirby point from play was the highlight of Meath efforts to improve the complexion of the scoreboard in the latter stages.

A Horan free got the scoring going. It was soon followed by Nimmo's opening goal, from close range.

By the 11th minute the Drumcondra-based students were four points in front. Then Meath enjoyed their best spell, scoring 1-4 on the bounce to move a goal clear.

The pick of the scores was Peter Durnin's 19th minute goal with the Kiltale clubman finishing a fine move to the net at the town end.

Meath's 1-5 to 1-2 lead was quickly cancelled out by a Tom Breen goal that tied the scores for the second time in the half.

A mini-scoring burst in the run-up to half-time, that included Nimmo's second goal, left the students in front by 3-7 to 1-8 at the break. They remained there until the end.

Meath - S. McGann; C. Reilly, E. Fitzgerald, W. Mahedy; E. Keogh, P. Fagan, S. Morris; S. Clynch (0-3, 1f), C. Fitzsimons; E. Marsh, D. Healy (0-1), K. Keoghan (0-1); P. Durnin (1-1), N. Horan (0-8, 6 fs), D. Raleigh (0-1). Subs - S. Heavey for Fagan (ht), N, Kirby (0-1) for Keoghan (44), M. Cole for Marsh, J. Kelly for Raleigh (both 56), S. Donoghue for Healy (63)

St Patrick's - S. Murphy; D. Glynn, D. Weafer, D. Byrne; N. Maguire, M. Quilty, N. Ring; I. Duggan, P. Kehoe (0-1); L. French, T. Breen (1-3), P. Murphy; K. Nimmo (3-0), C. Maher (1-1), N. Arthur (0-9, 4 fs, 1 65). Subs - L. Ryan (0-2) for Maguire (30), D. Wright for Murphy (ht), P. Concannon for Quilty (67).

Referee - J. Keenan (Wicklow) Tweet

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