“Last-Gasp Pats Break Dreadnots Hearts in Senior Championship Epic”

Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship – Group 2, Round 2

St Patricks 1-13 Dreadnots 1-12

Venue: Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Referee: Steven Devlin (St Josephs)

St Patricks rolled back the years in Darver on Monday night, producing a stirring late comeback to edge past the Dreadnots by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling Anchor Tours Senior Championship Group 2 clash. In a game that swung one way and then the other, the Lordship men found themselves staring defeat in the face with just minutes remaining, but a late surge, spearheaded by Jack Murphy and capped off by Martin McEneaney’s crucial late “two-pointer,” dragged them back into contention. Murphy then held his nerve deep into stoppage time to slot over the match-winning free, sealing a dramatic 1-13 to 1-12 victory.

For the Dreadnots, the defeat will sting. They have qualification secured, but their inability to close the game out when ahead in the final stages left the door open for a Pat’s revival that proved fatal. Despite a brave display, they ultimately left empty-handed after gifting the initiative away at the worst possible time.

First Half

The game began at a frantic pace. Within the opening minute Leon Fox had the Clogherhead side in front, but Pat’s responded instantly through Aidan McCann, who was sharp throughout the contest. By the fifth minute Jack Murphy had his side ahead with his first score of the evening, a sign of what was to come.

The Dreadnots then enjoyed a purple patch, with Craig Shevlin clipping over from a 45 and adding a free shortly after. At the other end, Pat’s found inspiration through McCann and Padraig Duffy, the latter finishing superbly after excellent link play. By the midway point, the sides were trading scores in a tense, tight affair.

A late burst from Pat’s looked to have tilted the balance before the break. McCann struck another fine point after a sweeping counterattack, before Murphy added his second of the half to leave the men in green and red 1-5 to 0-6 in front at half-time.

Second Half

The second half exploded into life when Sam Reilly pounced with a brilliantly taken goal for the Dreadnots on 38 minutes. The move was sparked by a thing of beauty from Donnacha Skinnader, whose perfectly timed pass split the defence and left Reilly one-on-one. The forward made no mistake, rifling low to the net and lifting both his teammates and the travelling support. With Paraic Smith and Leon Fox adding further points, the Clogherhead men appeared to be in control

Pat’s, however, refused to wilt. McEneaney’s dead-ball accuracy kept them in touch, while Conor Grogan and Murphy chipped in with vital scores. Still, the Dreadnots kept their noses in front through Smith, Jay Hughes, and Donnacha Skinnader, who were all influential.

With ten minutes to play, the Dreadnots led by three and seemed destined to see it out. But football has a way of punishing wastefulness. A turnover at the back gifted St Pats possession and, in the chaos that followed, McEneaney was presented with a three-up breach free, which he coolly dispatched for a momentum-shifting two points. Suddenly, the game was level again with just minutes remaining.

The Finale

In a nerve-shredding finish, both sides had chances, but it was Pat’s who held their nerve. Deep into injury time, Murphy, who had covered every blade of grass all evening, won and converted a free to edge his side in front. The final whistle came moments later, sparking jubilation among the Lordship faithful, who know their team are never beaten until the very end.

Key Performers

For St Patricks, Jack Murphy was outstanding, tireless in work rate and deadly accurate in front of goal. He was ably supported by Aidan McCann’s sharp scoring and Martin McEneaney’s leadership and composure at crucial moments.

For the Dreadnots, Leon Fox and Paraic Smith carried the scoring burden, while Sam Reilly’s goal looked like being the decisive moment until Pat’s late turnaround.

Teams & Scorers

St Patricks:
Martin McEneaney (0-4, 2x2f), Sean Holland, Kevin Toner, Brian Commins, Darren O’Hanlon, Barry Dunne, Darren Connor, Padraig Duffy (0-1), Thomas McCann, Jack Murphy (0-5, 3f), Joe Connor, Aidan McCann (1-2), Michael O’Shaughnessy, Eoin O’Connor, Conor Grogan (0-1).
Subs: Ciaran Murphy for Sean Holland (33), Leonard Grey for Padraic Duffy (34), Sean Fearon for Brian Commins (43), Rory Duffy for Thomas McCann (57).

Dreadnots:
Dylan Cassidy, Aaron Scullion, Dermot Campbell, Padraig Rath, Donnacha Skinnader (0-1), Anthony Williams, Conor Faulkner, Ciaran Cunningham, Leon Fox (0-3), Ciaran Finegan, Paraic Smith (0-3, 2f), Conor Clarke, Sam Reilly (1-1), Craig Shevlin (0-3, 2f, 1 ‘45), Calum Shevlin.
Subs: Darragh Shevlin for Calum Shevlin (HT), Jay Hughes (0-1) for Craig Shevlin (HT), Owen Murphy for Sam Reilly (47), Barry Faulkner for Ciaran Cunningham (56), Alex Aspell for Conor Clarke (59).

Player of the Match: Jack Murphy (St Patricks)

Murphy epitomised everything about St Patrick’s never-say-die spirit. He chased every ball, carried tirelessly from deep, and delivered crucial scores when his side needed them most – none more so than the injury-time free that sealed a memorable win.