The 2010 minor campaign started on Saturday when the amalgamated St. Patrick’s team travelled to the Maiden City to take on Steelstown in the first round of the Carlin/Duffy cup. The match was switched to Celtic Park, giving the young men a taste of what playing at County level would be like.

Seamus O’Kane was in rich scoring form, scoring (1-2) in the first twenty minutes. Three points from play from Cathair Friel and a goal from Michael McGonigle ensuring a half time lead of (2-5) to (0-2). It wasn’t all plain sailing for St. Patrick’s in the first half. The Brian Og’s team missed two goal scoring opportunities and had a penalty save by Daniel Mullan, which would have sent the teams in level at half time.

In the second half Steelstown applied a little more pressure, out scoring St. Patrick’s six points to three in the first fifteen minutes. Scores from Ciaran Mullan, Ciaran Ferris and Ryan O’Reilly kept the difference to six points between the teams.

The highlight of the second half was Alex Moore’s remarkable goal, restoring a nine point advantage. He ran thirty yards, eventually hugging the end line and fired a low shot at an acute angle, beating the Steelstown goal keeper at his near post. Cathair Friel brought the proceedings to an end when he kicked his fourth point from forty yards out.

St. Patrick’s finished comfortable winners on a score line of (3-9) to (0-8).They now meet Ballerin or Dungiven in the next round. A little more practice together would help polish up on a rusty start of season performance. Well done and good luck for the season ahead.

Team: Daniel Mullan, Liam Miller, Daryl Mullan, Paul McVeigh; Ciaran Ferris (0-01), Cahir Mullan, Eion Ferris; Ryan O’Reilly (0-01), Cathair Friel (0-04), Conor O’Reilly; Michael McGonigle (1-00), Ciaran Mullan (0-01), Seamus O’Kane (1-02), Alex Moore (1-00).