Match of the Week: Croi Ro hold out against plucky Pat’s

CROI Ro Naofa have one hand, if not two, on the Under 16 Football League Division Eight Trophy following their thrilling 2-10 to 2-7 victory over fellow title contenders, St Patrick’s in Killinarden Park on Saturday.

If head-to-head results are to stand, then the Tallaght side will be lifting the prize as they sit level on points with Pat’s who played their final game of the campaign at the weekend while Croi have one fixture remaining against Geraldine P Morans.

It was an early second-half surge by the homeside that proved crucial in this title decider as they pushed their narrow one point advantage at the break out to a six-point lead.

It was a remarkable period for Croi Ro who had looked in serious danger of letting slip their precarious hold on this tie following the dismissal of Bobby Seaton late in the first half.

Seaton had found the back of the net earlier in the game and his sending off was a big loss for the Tallaght outfit, but Pat’s were just not afforded the opportunity to capitalise.

Croi Ro Naofa secured a crucial win in their pursuit of top spot

Adam Quinn, who had proven a real thorn in the side of the visitors with his accuracy from the dead ball, again delivered after the break while Josh Bracken also struck over.

And when Jack Keogh won a kick-out and raced back in to unload an attempt that dropped into the net, Croi Ro had certainly established a tight hold on this all-important fixture.

St Patrick’s fought tooth and nail to stay in the hunt for the title

To their credit, Pat’s continued to chip away at the deficit over the remaining minutes, but the hosts managed to somehow keep them at arm’s-length thanks in no small measure to Jamie Doyle at full back and goalkeeper Callan Caulfield who pulled off a great stop with his legs late on.

It was Croi who had opened proceedings early on when Quinn struck over, although Cian Devitt kept the visitors in touch with a point before a Daragh Garrigan long-looping effort found the back of the net to see them overtake into a two-point advantage.

Ciaran O’Farrell of St Pat’s

Yet it was not long before Croi Ro were back in front, Seaton firing home a goal and Quinn continuing to keep the scoreboard ticking over for his side.

And following their early second half onslaught, it looked like the homeside might storm over the finish line, particularly with Jack Browne working tirelessly throughout.

Cian Devitt of St Patrick’s keeps a close watch on Croi Ro’s Aaron McDermott as he goes for the ball

Yet Pat’s, who like Croi, had shipped only one league defeat coming into this match, were never going to throw in the towel and worked hard in their attempt to whittle away the gap between them and their opponents.

Seamus Whelan, Cian Devitt and Garrigan all struck over the bar before a Joe Kinsella goal reduced their arrears to just two points.

Croi Ro’s Darragh Byrne and Michael Donohue of St Patrick’s

Quinn served up another point for the homeside although Garrigan thought he had levelled the match when he again found the net from a free kick, but that was ruled to have been taken too quickly and Croi Ro maintained their precious lead.

CROI RO NAOFA : C
Caulfield, B Seaton, A McDermot, J Browne, A Quinn, J Keogh, A Coyle, C Murtagh, J Doyle, C Kelly, J Bracken, D Byrne, E Kavanagh.

ST PATRICK’S : A
Young, J Nolan, J Kinsella, C O’Farrell, S Massey, C Deegan, S Fullam, S Whelan, S Deegan, D Garrrigan, C Devitt, B Kiernan, D Hand, A Treacy, M Donohue, A Villena, C Hickey, L Murpy, E Maculey, J Barr Lynch, C McHugh, J O’Dwyer.