by Brian Dowling

Marist Athlone 4-8
St Pats Navan 1-8

Two goals either side of half time ensured Marist Athlone were going into the quarter finals of the Leinster Senior Football Championship, with a well deserved win over the mighty St Pat's of Navan played in cool conditions in St Brigid's GAA, Kiltoom on Monday afternoon. 

The goals were the main difference between the sides, with goals from Aaron Roarke, Jack McDonnell, Conor Gleeson and substitute Cathal Mannion set up a deserved victory for the Athlone side.

With eight minutes gone, Roarke caught a long ball from McDonnell and found the back of the Pat's net. Then three minutes later, Conor Quinn won a Pat's kickout, fed it to McDonnell who then fisted it into Roarke. The big man passed it across goal and it was punched in by Conor Gleeson. This put Pat's under serious pressure very early on.

Brian McGrath

The opening exchanges were tough and playing conditions were not ideal, as the pitch was quite heavy. Athlone opened the scoring in the 5th minute, with a brilliant ball into Roarke by midfielder Ross Couper. The big man raised the white flag. Athlone dominated the opening twenty minutes of the game, with Roarke scoring 1-1, Jack McDonnell scored a brilliant forty five yard free, Gleeson punched in a goal as well as a beautiful long range point, and wing forward Luke Carty also raised the white flag. Pat's then began to wake up a little, Daire Lynch had a goal effort blocked after a lovely hand passing moved. Lynch then fed the ball to on coming wing back Caolach Halligan moments later, who pointed - a score Pat's were in desperate need of.

Pat's then played their best football of the half in the closing ten minutes, registering five points to Athlone's none. Thomas O'Reilly pointed a free directly after Halligan's point. The Navan school were then lucky not to concede a few minutes later as keeper Louis Timmons hit a short free intended for wing back Darren Kavanagh. Marist forward Glesson intercepted and shot but his effort struck the upright. Pat's went on the attack, which ended in O'Reilly pointing another free. Good pressure in the Pat's forward line resulting in a free in for too many steps which O'Reilly converted again. The closing minutes of the half saw Marist forward Luke Carty tackle Halligan from behind and around the neck. A yellow was given, the Pat's ultras anyway didn't agree.

The Pats Ultras made the long trip

St Patrick's closed out the half with another O'Reilly free to reduce the deficit to five. 2-04 to 0-05 the half time score and Pat's needed to find a spark to get going early in the second half. What actually happened wasn't on the agenda. Both teams evenly shared possession at the start of the second half but it took ten minutes for a score to be registered. Marist went on the attack in search of a goal but the shot was blocked by Halligan. The ball fell to Marist full back Emmet Nally who shot from a tight angle off the ground. To his delight, the ball went over the bar.

Pat's then introduced young man James Finnerty into the action with Padraic Diamond making way. Marist introduced Cathal Mannion with Ross Cooper withdrawn from the action. The score of the game unfolded shortly afterwards. A brilliant counter attacking move by the Marist resulted in Jack McDonnell playing a one-two with Roarke and fisting the ball to the Pat's net to put them nine points in front, and make the Pat's mountain a little bit harder to climb.

O'Reilly pointed another free for Pat's who needed to find a goal quickly. The Ultras tried their best to motivate the team; they even sang Spandau Ballet putting a lot of emphasis on the line "Always believe in" to try and get them going.

Podge McGowan kicked a point

The team did respond minutes later when O'Reilly was fouled in front of goal but good advantage by referee Chris Dwyer allowed James Finnerty to poke home to the Marist net and a chance of getting something out of the game, was looking possible. Brian McGrath caught the resulting kick out, went on a tearing run up the field and hit a long ball into corner forward Paddy Doherty, who pointed and the deficit was now four points. All chances of a comeback though were wiped out moments later when a long ball was sent into the Pat's square and broke kindly to Marist sub Cathal Mannion who buried to the net to send Marist into the quarter finals.

The remaining minutes saw Marist full back Nally point again, McDonnell notched one and so did wing forward Conor Quinn. Podge McGowan scored a consolation point for Pat's, who at this stage were well and truly beaten.

The game ended with Marist's full forward Aaron Roarke receiving his second yellow card and being sent off. This was to be the last piece of action, as referee Chris Dwyer blew the final whistle.

Aston Villa bound James Finnerty got the goal

This was a tough day for playing football for either side with the pitch being in a heavy condition which is very tough on player's legs. Marist can be very proud of their efforts as they're game plan worked. The goals were the difference on the scoreboard but on the pitch, Marist dominated the game.

Pat's didn't play badly but they just weren't at the races and certainly not playing the same standard of football as they did when they won the League Final just two weeks before Christmas.

This is a disappointing end to the year for this talented group of players, who were really fancied to do well in the Championship this year.  It's disappointing for a very good side to be beaten like this but that's football for you, and some days are just better than others.

They do have the North Leinster League Title to show for their efforts, maybe not the trophy everybody wanted but it's better than nothing.

Manager Colm O'Rourke spoke to the media after the game: "We were 10 points behind early on and we lost by nine. It was a mountain to climb after the first 15 minutes. Lads responded well and tried hard but it was always going to be extremely difficult".

Corner back Thomas McGuinness

St Pat's:  Louis Timmons, Thomas McGuinness, Eanna O'Kelly Lynch, Patrick Leahy, Caolach Halligan (0-1), Cian O'Reilly, Darren Kavanagh, Charlie McGarry, Conor Nash, Padraic Diamond, Daire Lynch, Brian McGrath, Podge McGowan (0-1), Thomas O'Reilly (0-5, 5 frees), Paddy Doherty (0-1).
Subs- James Finnerty (1-0), Eanna Mooney, Niall Hickey, Brian O'Connell, Kashif Ali.

Marist: Conor Devaney, Martin Nolan, Emmett Nally (0-2), Alan Daly, Michael McGloin, Eoin McCormack, Corey Reid, Ross Couper, Daniel Reid, Conor Quinn (0-1), Jack McDonnell (1-2, 1 free), Luke Carty (0-1), Conor Gleeson (1-1), Aaron Roarke (1-1), Brian Stack.
Subs- Cathal Mannion (1-0)

Referee: Chris Dwyer (Offaly)

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