Podge McGowan scored a magnificent 1-5 from play as Pats were crowned North Leinster League Champions after a comfortable victory over St Mels of Longford, played in cool and windy conditions in Simonstown. By Brian Dowling

St Pat's Navan 6-13   St Mel's Longford 0-11

Pats found the Mel's net four times in the first half, and twice in the final quarter to set up what turned out to be a reasonably easy victory for the men in Black and Amber.

Needless to say, Mels put up a good fight for the majority of the first half, but, when Padraic Diamond punch in a Daire Lynch pull back in the 21st minute; it looked like a tough day was in store for the men from the midlands.

It was noticeable that McGowan was a danger from the first ball that went inside. With twenty seconds on the clock, he registered a point, after a great ball from midfielder Conor Nash to other corner forward Paddy Doherty, who flicked it to McGowan, who pointed.

Nash was involved in the next Pat's attack, with great interplay between him and midfield partner Brian McGrath, who pointed in the 3rd minute.

It didn't take Mel's too long to get themselves back into the match, with two quick frees from accurate centre forward Darragh Doherty.

The teams then exchanged points, with Lynch and brilliant full forward and captain Thomas O'Reilly knocking points over for Pats. While Nathan Steele pointed for Mel's after a brilliant hand passing move.

Then the game began to change. Pat's wing back Caolach Halligan, who had a brilliant game, caught a Mel's kick out. He then went tearing up the left side of the field, flicked it to Lynch who laid it onto the on running midfielder McGrath who finished brilliantly to the net.

Mel's then made a change, bringing Daniel Kirby in for Steele. Mel's wing back Peter Lynn then scored a brilliant point after another fabulous hand passing move. Doherty then pointed another free, but from then till half time, it was all Pats.

Firstly, full-forward Thomas O'Reilly smashed one into the top corner after great work McGowan. Wing forward Darren Kavanaghthen won the resulting kick out. He gave it onto Lynch who pulled it back and Diamond smashed it home with his fist.

The rest of the half was dominated by Pat's with Halligan scoring a magnificent long range point. McGowan and O'Reilly put Pat's further in front, before man of the match McGowan won a ball, played a 1-2 with Doherty and finished to the Mel's net. The last action of the half saw midfielder Joe Heaney knocking over another point for Mel's.

Pats then made three substitutions at half time bringing in James Finnerty, Kashif Ali and Seán Smyth, with centre back Cian O'Reilly, Niall Hickey and Lynch making way. Mel's introduced Clayton Finn to the action; with corner forward Cian Finnan making way.

Mel's started the second half the brighter team piling on the pressure on the Pat's goal, but goalkeeper Louis Timmons made sure nothing got by him and his full back's. Pat's then broke up the field and McGowan pointed again to stop the Mel's dominance.

Mel's did have a good goal chance soon after, with Heaney flashing a ball across goal that full forward Cathal Victory tried to flick in, but he unluckily missed and the ball trailed narrowly wide.

Pat's then registered three points in a row with McGowan notching two and O'Reilly scoring a beauty off his weaker foot. Peter Lynn, who was Mel's best player on the day, knocked over another for Mel's who were really playing for pride at this stage.

Joe Heaney then knocked over another Mel's point, before young man James Finnerty made his mark on the senior stage, scoring his first Pat's senior point.

The rest of the game saw Pat's close out the stronger side, with subs Charlie McGarry and Brian O'Connell finding the Mel's net. O'Connell got up above his man to pluck a ball from the sky to then turn and bury it to the net, a so called "Michael Murphy" goal. Mel's closed out the game with points from sub Clayton Finn and midfielder Heaney.

Pat's dominated most of the game in all aspects of it; they had more possession, won more kick outs and breaking ball, and obviously were more clinical. Mel's simply just couldn't come to terms with the Pat's play, but, they can be proud of their efforts.

At the end of the game there was a lovely sign of sportsmanship as the Pat's Ultras clapped the Mel's team off the pitch, a perfect example of the lovely community of the GAA.

This is great preparation for the Leinster Championship for both these side's, both of which having played competitive games throughout the round robin stage of the League. Both these sides got a bye into the second round, the draw of which takes place on Monday. Both these sides will be eager to find out who they will be facing.

Tom O'Donnell presented the North Leinster SF A Shield to Pats captain Thomas O'Reilly after the game.

St Pat's: Louis Timmons, Thomas McGuinnes, Eanna O'Kelly Lynch, Patrick Leahy, Niall Hickey, Cian O'Reilly, CaolachHalligan (0-1), Brian McGrath (1-1), Conor Nash, Darren Kavanagh, Daire Lynch (0-1), Padraic Diamond (1-0), Patrick Doherty, Thomas O'Reilly (1-4, 3 frees), Podge McGowan (1-5).Subs- Darren Forde, Seán Smyth, Charlie McGarry (1-0), EannaMooney, Eoghan Daly, Brian O'Connell (1-0), James Finnerty (0-1), Kashif Ali, Graham Brennan, David Fitzpatrick, Ciaran O'Hanlon.

St Mel's: Daniel Doherty, Stephen Farrell, Liam Barry, James Moran, Peter Lynn (0-2), Cillian Lynn, Ryan Moffett, Peter Hanley (Captain), Joe Heaney (0-3), Robbie O'Connell, Darragh Doherty (0-4, 3 frees), Nathan Steele (0-1), Cian Finnan, Cathal Victory, David McCarthy. Subs- Seán Noonan, Daniel Kirby, Hugo Carey, Clayton Finn (0-1 free).

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)

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