Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 4:00pm

Historic first U14 title for St. Pat's

by Editorial Department

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St. Patrick's 2-22; Tempo 2-08;

St Patrick's Donagh celebrated after defeating Tempo in the Fermanagh U-14 Final at Aghadrumsee on Tuesday night

St. Pat's clinched their first ever U14 A Championship title on Tuesday night in Aughadrumsee with a strong finish taking them clear of a gutsy Tempo side.

A tight first half had left the sides level at the break and it remained close in the opening period of the second half but the Donagh side took control of matters in the final quarter and a string of fine points saw them pull away to get their hands on the cup.

St. Pat's made the brighter start to the game with the impressive Mattie McGrade, Kyle Kearney, Ronan Melarkey and Dara O'Reilly all notching first half points for the side.

Tempo though settled into the game after a sluggish start and with Conor Keenan, Lorcan McStravick, Declan McCarron and Stephen Fee lofting over points they came back into contention. Indeed two goals from Keenan in a five minute spell put Tempo into a three point lead as half time approached but St. Pat's struck a goal of their own in injury time at the end of the half through Melarkey to leave it level at half time, 2-05 to 1-08.

Points from Declan McCarron and Stephen Fee kept Tempo in touch at the start of the second half but they suffered a blow when they lost midfielder Jamie Connolly with bruised ribs and during the last quarter St. Pat's took a firm control of the encounter.

McGrade bagged the Donagh side's second goal on his way to a personal tally of 1-07 while corner forward Niall Martin clipped over three good points. Dara O'Reilly, Melarkey and Conor Maguire all went on to tag on points for St. Pat's in the second half as they powered their way to the title.

For St. Pat's, full back Enda Tierney was excellent while McGrade had a terrific game at midfield. Half forwards Thomas Cadden and Conor Maguire also impressed for the winners in what was an all round good team display.

Tempo had good performances on the night from Dara Trainor in goals, corner back Patrick Fee, Declan McCarron at midfield and Tiernan Bogue in the forward line.