Although St Patrick's were the form team going into the knockout stages of the Commons Hardware Meath SFC, and they finished the group phase with the best score difference (plus 43 points), they bowed out when losing to Wolfe Tones at the quarter-final stage. It was the third time in four campaigns for the Stamullen side to reach the last eight of the Keegan Cup competition. In 2003 they went close to taking another step forward as eventual outright winners Blackhall Gaels needed a late point to force a draw with them before defeating them by eight points in the replay. In 2005 they topped their group before again having their hopes ended by the eventual winners as Dunboyne put them out in a quarter-final clash. Martin Barry was at the helm again in 2006 when after showing less than impressive form in the earlier rounds, they began to hit the high spots from round five on when keeping the umpires very busy by scoring a total of 9-47 in three games. So impressive was their form at that time that some neutrals were suggesting that they could go all the way. The long road to Pairc Tailteann in September began at Ratoath on a Saturday evening in April when Pat's looked to be in a strong position when leading Navan O'Mahonys by seven points five minutes into the second half before the town team recovered to win by 1-11 to 1-9. Daithi Whyte, who served both managing Barrys in 2006, having been given the opportunity to prove his worth by county boss Eamonn, caused the O'Mahonys defence a few problems and after sending over the first point, the number 15 had a hand in most of his side's scores. Those included Niall Mooney's goal early in the second half after the Stamullen side led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. Although Barry Campbell sent over four points for them, Pat's did not stay the distance and they were edged out on the run to the winning post. But they managed to get the trip at Bellewstown eight days later when shading the issue in the east Meath derby tie, claiming a narrow 2-9 to 1-11 victory over Duleek. Pat's made better use of their scoring opportunities than their neighbours and had the ball in the net within 90 seconds of the start. Ronan Kearns was another player from the club to be tried by Eamonn Barry and he was involved in a move down the left flank with Niall Mooney before Niall Whearty finished to the net. All-Ireland minor winning captain of 13 years earlier, Peter Sullivan, joined the action midway through the first half and immediately made an impact with a point from a sideline kick followed by a goal. The Stamullen side led by 2-5 to 1-2 at the break before Duleek battled back to get on level terms. Two points from Barry Campbell and one by Daithi Whyte proved crucial as Pat's regained control and their display suggested that they could made a bold bid for a place in the last eight. However, their showing in a dreadfully dull third round tussle with Summerhill at Dunshaughlin which ended level on 0-6 each suggested otherwise. So poor was the fare that one report said a draw was a fair result because neither side deserved to win. After Daithi Whyte kicked over an early point, he had a quiet outing and Barry Campbell converted four frees. The boring exchanges were livened up in the second half when a number of players became involved in exchanges of unpleasantries and referee Jim Smith sent off Cormac Sullivan and opponent Willie Milner. As in the first round, St Patrick's let a handsome lead slip in the fourth round clash with Blackhall Gaels at Walterstown. After being ahead by 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval, Pat's were six points to the good ten minutes after the restart before the 2005 beaten finalists recovered to dig out a 2-11 to 2-8 win. Niall Mooney struck for the first Pat's goal just before the break and the second was netted by Daithi Whyte from a penalty after Niall Whearty was taken down. It was disappointing for Martin Barry's side to lose their way in the final furlongs but a short winning streak was round the corner. Cormac Sullivan missed that game because of suspension but the former Meath netminder was back for the fifth round outing against Simonstown Gaels at Skryne and netted two goals as well as sending over two points in the impressive 2-14 to 0-9 victory. Both goals came in the second half after Pat's led by 0-7 to 0-5 at the break and Barry Campbell was in fine shooting form, sending over eight points, six of them from frees. The other well-known Pat's Cormac, Murphy, was sent off in that game and missed the rest of the campaign. Martin Barry took a leaf out of Kerry manager Jack O'Connor's book by using Cormac Sullivan in a Kieran Donaghy-type role at full forward in the closing stages of the SFC.. He could have played in the attack himself in the farcical outing against Kilmainhamwood who were chopped asunder in a 5-20 to 1-6 mauling at Seneschalstown. Most of the damage was inflicted in the second half after the scores were 1-8 to 0-4 at the break. Barry Campbell finished up as the main marksman with 1-9, Daithi Whyte got 2-4 and Cormac Sullivan and Niall Mooney 1-2 each. The win was enough to ensure the passage of the Stamullen side through to the last eight again. Although comfortably through to the knockout phase, they were anxious to stay on the winning trail and a 2-13 to 0-9 win over former kingpins Dunshaughlin at Walterstown. Campbell continued his fine point-taking form by sending over eight and Sullivan and Whyte netted the goals. However, matters turned sour for Campbell two weeks later as Jimmy Henry showed him a straight red card in the quarter-final against Wolfe Tones who shot down the high-flyers on a 2-6 to 0-7 scoreline. After a few big scoring returns, Pat's were back to a low total like against Summerhill. The second of the quarter-finals was not as dull as the Dunshaughlin encounter in July and Martin Barry had cause for optimism as he saw Daithi Whyte, Barry Campbell and Whyte again raise white flags as their side went into a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage. The sides were level at 0-5 each at the break but in a stormy second period Pat's conceded goals early and late. They did not get a sniff of a goal themselves until Sullivan had an attempt saved in the last seconds. It ended 2-6 to 0-7 and soon afterwards Barry announced that was stepping down. Although Barry Campbell finished up with a total of 1-42 to be the fourth top scorer in the SFC, it was only a small consolation for him after being sent off in his side's quarter-final and then the defeat after they were on a roll which some people thought might take them all the way. They scored a staggering 14-79 in eight games, the highest return of all the 16 starters but as Campbell said: "The way it ended for us was disappointing, for the third year in the last four we failed to get past the quarter-final stage and for the third time we were beaten by the eventual winners. "We didn't play as well as we are capable of against Wolfe Tones, who seemed to have put a lot of thought into curbing Cormac Sullivan in their preparation for the game and when the long ball into the full forward didn't work, we didn't seem to have a plan B. However, other things didn't work for us on the day. "Blackhall Gaels and Navan O'Mahonys finished above us in the group. We also lost to both of them and we held good leads in both of those games. Maybe that should give us some encouragement as we look ahead to next year," he added. Campbell said they held a players' meeting shortly after being knocked out and all the members of the senior squad gave the commitment to make themselves available for 2007. Older lads like Cormac Murphy, Niall Russell, Ciaran Duffy and Niall Flynn are not ready to hang up the boots just yet. "There is a gang of us in the 25 to 28 age bracket while Cormac Sullivan is 29. Darren Hagan, aged 19, was in his first year with us after transferring from O'Dwyers in Balbriggan and is a brilliant prospect. We could do with two or two more good players as we could be in trouble if hit by injury or suspension," remarked Barry. After Wolfe Tones became the sixth first time winners of the Meath SFC in 12 championships, St Patrick's will be hoping that they can get further than the last eight in 2007. Who knows but their turn for outright glory might not be far away. Tweet

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