St Patrick's CS, Navan, gave their supporters plenty of entertainment in 2010 and while they didn't manage to stamp their mark on the All-Ireland series they did clinch another Leinster Colleges' SFC title after a hugely eventful campaign.

They opened the provincial title race last December with a 5-16 to 2-3 win over Naas CBS when Shane Gillespie scored 3-4. The new year brought further progress when they defeated Good Counsel, New Ross, by 2-11 to 1-11 at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, where they led by 2-3 to 0-5 at the interval after Gillespie and Fiachra McEntee had scored the goals.
Revenge was gained for the previous year's defeat when they beat Moate CS by 2-11 to 0-9 in a quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann. A Fiachra Ross goal helped them to lead by 1-7 to 0-5 at half-time, but Moate came back well in the second period and cut the deficit to 0-9 to 1-9. However, a fortuitous goal from Shane Barry's sideline kick helped the Navan lads push clear, while they were also thankful to Ciaran Flynn for a second half penalty save.
The semi-final against St Mary's, Edenderry, at Mullingar was a tremendous game which finished level (2-11 each) after extra-time. The Offaly school got the last three points of normal time to gain parity (1-10 each) and they looked likely to win during the additional 20 minutes until Darragh Maguire equalised with a dramatic late goal.
There was no denying St Patrick's supremacy in the replay which they won by 2-13 to 0-10, again at Mullingar. They led by 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval, but St Mary's had drawn level by the three-quarter stage. However, goals from Ross and McEntee enabled Colm O'Rourke's team to win comprehensively.
Another last gasp goal also did the trick in the Leinster final against Colaiste Eoin, Stillorgan, at Parnell Park when St Patrick's shaded the verdict by 1-12 to 2-8. This was another memorable contest in which the Dublin team battled back courageously and the Navan lads fought heroically to win the day.
Conor Sheridan and Barry were impressive at midfield for St Patrick's in the first half and four superb points from Ross and others by McEntee, Alan Forde, Darragh Maguire and Paddy Fox helped them lead by 0-8 to 0-2 at the break after playing with the aid of the breeze.
Colaiste Eoin took over and Colin Wickham came to St Patrick's rescue when he turned away a shot from Marc Schutte. But they did get goals from Alex O Maoilmhiaigh and Schutte, four minutes from the end, which enabled them to edge ahead. However, the real drama was only beginning.
A well-worked move resulted in a penalty for the Navan team, but Sheridan's kick was parried by 'keeper Daniel O Caoimh. It rebounded back to Sheridan who netted at the second attempt to leave his side two points ahead. As the tension intensified Maitas Mac Donncha blasted over at the other end when he should have goaled and St Patrick's had earned a dramatic victory against a team which was left to rue missed opportunities in the closing stages.
The St Patrick's CS team was - C Flynn; C Wickham, C McConnell, C Finnegan; N Groome, D Maguire (0-1), C Noonan; 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).
Paul Galvin's St Brendan's, Killarney, ended St Patrick's All-Ireland dream when they won the semi-final by 3-7 to 0-10 at Nenagh where they led by 2-5 to 0-2 at the break. A third goal on the restart pushed them further clear, but the Navan lads never stopped battling and helped by five points from Shane Gillespie they had cut the deficit to four with eight minutes remaining.
However, St Brendan's got the last two points and were worthy winners.
There was disappointment for St Patrick's in the North Leinster JFC final when they lost to Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar, by 3-7 to 1-15 at Longwood.
Colaiste Mhuire started best and scored the first four points against the wind, but Barry Dardis settled the Navan side with two pointed frees and when Cathal Smith netted from a penalty they were in front. Dardis added a second goal to open up a 2-2 to 0-4 lead, but the Mullingar team hit back when Luke Peppard found the net and they trailed by only 1-6 to 2-5 at the change of ends.
Colaiste Mhuire took command after the restart and opened up a 1-10 to 2-4 advantage by the end of the third quarter. They pushed further clear and a third St Patrick's goal from Nicky O'Brien late in the game just wasn't enough to revive their fortunes. It had been a brave effort against a talented team, but they were two points behind at the final whistle.
The St Patrick's CS team was - R Burlingham; R O Coileain, D Curran, D Rogers; M Gardiner, O Fitzpatrick, J Heaney; D Regan, V Moore; D Dillon, B Dardis, C Smith; N O'Brien, F Ward, P Kennelly. Tweet

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