Leinster Colleges SFC A quarter-finals/ St PAtrick's, Navan 1-5; Marist College 0-7: Colm O'Rourke had to endure a tense finale but eventually saw his St Pat's charges book their place in the semi-finals after this narrow victory at Tubberclair yesterday.
Pat's, for whom O'Rourke's son Shane lined out at midfield, led only 0-3 to 0-2 at half-time after having wind advantage.
But a brilliantly taken goal by impressive full forward Cian Ward set the Navan side up for a 1-4 to 0-2 lead ten minutes into the second half.
A resilient Marist battled back to within a point with six minutes left. And the midlanders certainly had enough chances to take the match into extra time.
The Athlone boys were left cursing three missed opportunities late on as Pat's - inspired by outstanding full back Kevin Reilly - held on grimly.
ST PATRICK'S, NAVAN: D Clare; C McGuinness, K Reilly, N McMahon; C Byrne, C Kenny, W Donegan; B Meade, S O'Rourke; S O'Toole, H Finnegan, D Corcoran (0-1); K Mulvaney (0-2), C Ward (1-2, 0-1f), P Smith. Subs: S Conaty for Byrne (43 mins), C O'Dwyer for Mulvaney (53 mins).
MARIST COLLEGE, ATHLONE: K Gaynor; A Burns, P Larkin, J Harte; N Walker, M Gavin, D Bannon; J Farrell, N Grehan (0-1); E Buckley, C Cosgrove (0-3, 0-2f), B Kelly; R Blaine, P Kelly (0-1f), K Hogan (0-2, 0-1f).
Referee: E Murtagh (Longford).
