Playing the better football in the first half they out-scored the Coleraine team but found themselves trailing by two points going in at half time on a score line of 0-7 to 2-3.

In the second half St. Patrick’s dominated from start to finish, Daryl Mullan as captain led by example, Conor O’Reilly scored (2-4), but overall it was the team performance that helped win this match.

In the closing minutes of the game Coleraine scored three consecutive points to reduce the gap to a single score, putting pressure on St. Patrick’s. In the additional two minutes of added time played by referee Gerard Mullan, Michael O’Kane kicked two consecutive points for St. Patrick’s to easy any worries and finishing the match on a score line of 2-9 to 2-14.

Niall Farren (0-3), Ciaran Mullan (0-03), Conor O’Reilly (2-05), Daryl Mullan (0-01), Michael O’Kane (0-02)

The Match

On five minutes St. Patrick’s opened the scoring with Niall Farren, kicking his first of three points from play. Two minutes later Ciaran Mullan registered his first point of the game after being set up by Michael O’Kane.

Coleraine reduced the gap to one by kicking a speculative ball into the box ( which was not dealt with) and it bounced over the bar. Three minutes later the Coleraine team took the lead when another high ball into the goal area dipped over Conor McIntyres head and into the back of the net.

Ciaran Mullan kicked his second point to reduce the gap to one point with twelve minutes played. Six minutes later he kicked his final point of the game from a close range free kick, drawing the teams level.

Niall Farren scored his second point of the game kicking from an acute angle to re-establish the lead. Coleraine two minutes later scored their second goal of the match, when yet another high ball into the box was not dealt with. It was caught by the full forward, who swivelled on his left foot and kicked a powerful right footed shot to the back of the net.

Niall Farren once again reduced the gap to one point, but two successive Coleraine points put three points between the teams with only five minutes of the first half remaining. To conclude the first half proceeding Niall Farren turned provider when he setup Conor O’Reilly for his first point of the game and one that would inspire him for the second half.

Half Time: Coleraine 2-03 St. Patrick’s 0-07

Within eight minutes of the restart St. Ptrick’s had turned a two point deficit into a two point lead courtesy of Conor O’Reilly and Daryl Mullan. Playing with a slight wind the St. Patrick’s lads pinned Coleraine in their own half. Conor O’Reilly kicked three points in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th minutes of the half, one from a free kick. Harry Foster found himself one on one with the keeper only to have his shot saved and forced out for a 45, this was duly converted by a very impressive Daryl Mullan.

Five minutes later Conor O’Reilly kicked his fifth point of the game to increase the gap to three points. With fifteen minutes still to play this game had a few twists yet to unfold.

Harry Foster was booked for persistent fouling …….

Coleraine scored two successive points to reduce the gap to one point 2-05 to 0-12, setting up a grand slam finish.

Up stepped Daryl Mullan and Conor O’Reilly to take this game by the horns and put it to bed once and for all. Daryl ran forty yards out of his own defence into the Coleraine box and at the very last minute he popped the ball over the Coleraine defenders head to the waiting O’Reilly who in turn found the back of the net with a blistering shot.

Game over you would think, not so ……..

With five minutes remaining Coleraine scored another point, once again putting three points between the teams. From Thomas O’Kane’s kick out Daryl Mullan fielded a magnificent ball straight into the Coleraine box only for the keeper to palm it down to the on coming Conor O’Reilly who side footed it into the back of the net for his second goal of the match.

With six points between the teams the visiting supporters began to relax, but there was one last twist to this game. With a never say die attitude the Coleraine team scored three successive points in the closing minutes, halving St. Patrick’s lead and creating a nail biting finish for all in attendance.

In added time Michael O’Kane kicked the assurance point for St. Patrick’s and from the resulting kick out St. Patrick’s played Michael in again for his second and final point of the game.

Well done St. Patrick’s, what a thoroughly entertaining match. Good luck in the next round.