OLV 4 (D.Kavanagh, D.Byrne, D.Dunne, A.Stanley) St Pats/Phoenix 2

OLV were victorious over St Pats/Phoenix at Marko on Sunday morning and have kept the pressure on St Maelrauns in the race for the Division 2 title.  OLV started very slowly and it was St Pats who were applying most of the pressure on OLV who, just couldn't seem to find any fluidity in the early parts of the game.

St Pats took the lead after a softly lobbed ball was flapped at by keeper Dave Kelly who couldn't keep the ball from reaching the back of the net.  It was St Pats who deserved to be in front at that stage and although it was a soft goal to give away, it had been coming 0-1.  OLV responded shortly after and it was through full back Dave Kavanagh, who's superbly struck shot from outside the box left the St Pats keeper rooted to the spot 1-1.

OLV were still not firing on all cylinders and were under constant threat from their opponents.  Deco Byrne bagged another goal in the latter stages of the first half to send OLV in front after his mazy dribble cut through the St Pats rearguard and then his craftily placed ball left the keeper looking somewhat dishevelled, 2-1 OLV. St Pats weren't finished and still were the dominant force in the game heading towards the half, then having gained a corner late on in the half, the ball was sent over to the far post and headed home by a towering St Pats player 2-2.

As the second half got under way St Pats were made to work much harder across the pitch and OLV gained the upper hand as their opponents had to defend much deeper to try thwart the new threat.  OLV were now creating space and had their opponents at looking a little ragged.  The next opportunity however, came to St Pats and only the legs of the OLV keeper helped keep the score on a par.

It wasn't long though before OLV stamped their dominance on the game and by now, the chances were all falling to the home side.  Derek Dunne shattered the St Pats spirit midway through the second half, with another beautiful goal as he convincingly beat the St Pats keeper with a lovely strike, 3-2 OLV.  St Pats were beginning to look very tired in the heat of the midday sun as OLV stroked the ball around with more conviction than their counterparts.

Anto Stanley put the game to bed when his venomous strike from the edge of the area left the St Pats keeper with no chance, 4-2.  This helps OLV keep the pressure on St Maelrauns with only three games to play before the title is decided.