By Shaun Casey

PATRICIAN High School, Carrickmacross are treading a familiar path this weekend as they enter the Paddy Drummond Cup competition, where they will take on Cashel Community School of Tipperary.

It’s the fifth time the Monaghan men have entered into the tournament having won the MacLarnon Cup on four previous occasions before this season. They’re hoping to get back to the Paddy Drummond Cup final now, just as they did three years ago.

That decider ended in defeat for Patrician, with Gorey Community School getting their hands on the cup in 2022. In fact, the Carrickmacross side are hoping to end a 28-year wait for an All-Ireland B title.

Dylan McEnaney’s side have already shown true resolve and character in their Ulster journey to suggest that they won’t be found wanting as they make the trip to Dublin City University Sportsgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

They needed a replay to eventually shake off Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore by the minimum of margins in the MacLarnon Cup final. They came from behind twice to claim the title for the fifth time in their history.

Even in the drawn game, Patrician were hit with an early goal from the Tyrone men and that saw them trail at the half-time break. But they bounced back after the turnaround and Conor Meehan’s late score earned them another crack.

It was an injury-time point from centre half-back Joseph McArdle that secured their silverware, and it was the first time that Patrician had actually got their noses ahead throughout the entire game.

Patrician do have some eye-catching talent among their ranks however with Corduff clubman Peter Connolly displaying ice in his veins in front of the posts the last day out, slotting over four points from dead ball efforts.

Tom Maguire was one of their standout players at midfield against the Dean and it was his second-half goal that proved crucial in the end. Maguire was named man of the match for his performance on the night.

Corner-back Meehan from Carrickmacross caused havoc when roaming forward at breakneck pace and was even among the scores. McArdle and Luke Poval were other defenders that got their names on the scoresheet in the Ulster showpiece.

Cashel Community School head into Saturday’s showdown off the back of a three-point win over Kerry’s Coláiste na Sceilge in the recent Corn Dhonnacha Uí Nuanáin final, with attacker Niall Hallissey landing the all-important goal.

It’s a big game for both clubs and Patrician will feel like they have the chance to, and the quality, to once again reach the final of the Paddy Drummond Cup. Now, they have to go out and perform and get the job done.