St. Pat’s manager Ogie Cadden says that they achieved two of their three goals for the season as they wrapped up their campaign on a winning note with a seven point victory over Tempo in the Division Two Final replay in Aghadrumsee on Sunday.
The Donagh side were to make no mistake the second time around as they raced into a big half time lead and although Tempo fought back towards the end, St. Pat’s had done enough to ensure that they had some silverware to show for their efforts in 2017.
The defeat to Lisnaskea in the Intermediate Championship semi-final was disappointing for St. Pat’s but other than that things have gone well for them in 2017.
“There were three things that we would have looked at this year and they were the Intermediate Championship, promotion and the Division Two title,” he said. 
“The Intermediate Championship was disappointing but we ended up with two out of three by gaining promotion and winning the league so it has been a good year for us.”
Cadden also felt that it was important to end the season with a cup in their hands and was why they were determined to finish the season with a win.
“We emphasised that countless times to the boys. There was no point in us having 70 or 80 training sessions and then not try and push on and get that bit of silverware when you have the chance. It gives us something to show for the year,” said the St. Pat’s manager.
There were difficult times for St. Pat’s in 2017 with the loss of young player Ronan Melarkey who died in a road accident in August and this was another reason that it was important for St. Pat’s to go on and win the title.
“We lost young Ronan Melarkey earlier this year so it was nice to win this in his memory,” stated Ogie.
And Cadden felt that over the two games his side were good value for their victory.
“I think that over the two games we deserved the win, I felt we were the better team and we’re delighted to have got the win on Sunday,” he said.
It is now on to Division One next year and while the first target for St. Pat’s will be to ensure that they stay in the division, Cadden also stresses that he believes that on their day St. Pat’s are capable of holding their own with any team in the division.
“We don’t want to be a yo-yo club, we first of all want to go up and make sure that we stay in the division, but I think we are stronger now, those young lads are all that bit older.
“As far as I’m concerned, St. Pat’s will contest with anybody in Division One. 
“Look, we were aware of how good the likes of Derrygonnelly and Rolsea are and the good players that they have but I wouldn’t be one bit afraid of them at the same time. On our day, if we can maintain our performance for 60 minutes then we will go along with any of them,” he added.