November Team of the Month – St Patrick’s Athletic U17’s

By Stephen Leonard

‘THE Echo November Team of the Month’ Award has gone the way of St Patrick’s Athletic Under 17 team after they raised the SSE Airtricity League prize.

The Inchicore side battled their way back from a goal down to beat UCD in a thrilling decider in Belfield last month.

John Martin tucked the ball away from close range to haul the Inchicore side back on to level terms before Mark Kelly produced a great turn and strike to effectively clinch them the prize which was raised by Captain Paul Cleary.

The team went very close to also lifting the Mark Farren Memorial Cup, but were beaten 2-0 by Bohemians in the final.

They were down a goal after just five minutes when forward Robbie Dunne let fly from 18 yards out after carving open space for the shot.

Goalkeeper Paul Martin made crucial saves to keep the Inchicore side in the reckoning, but with 18 minutes remaining, an impressive Aaron Lynch beat his man on the left side and crossed the ball in to Steve Nolan who tapped it home from close range.

Yet, while disappointed at seeing his side fall just short here, St Pat’s manager Jamie Moore will be well pleased with his team’s impressive run on all fronts this year.