St Patrick's hopes of avoiding the drop in the Gunne Carnaross Mart Division 1 received a setback on their visit to Seneschalstown last Friday evening.

The dismissal of Niall Mooney shortly after he had dispatched a penalty to the net to reduce the Seneschalstown lead to the minimum proved too much a blow for the Stamullen men.

Three opening half points from Brian Sheridan helped the Yellow Furze outfit to a 0-5 to 0-3 interval lead. Ciaran Macken and Bryan Clarke were also on target for the home side in the first half.

Within two minutes of the restart St Patrick's had drawn level but then Seneschalstown hit a purple patch with Shane Clarke (free), Joe Sheridan, Brian Sheridan (free) and Ciaran Macken all pointing by the 39th minute.

Mooney's penalty goal brought St Patrick's right back into contention but Seneschalstown regained control again following the wing forward's dismissal. They added another four points and there was no way back for the east Meath side after that.

James Byrne, Andrew Collins, Joe Cowley, Shane Clarke and Ciaran Macken were best for the winners while Ray Russell, Keith Whearty, Barry Campbell and Daithi Whyte did well for St Patrick's..

SENESCHALSTOWN - David Lyons, Wayne Smith, Andrew Collins, James Byrne, Colin Gleeson, Joe Cowley, Stephen Sheridan, Stephen Finnegan 0-2, Damien Sheridan, Shane Clarke 0-2, Ciaran Macken 0-2, Gary Conlon, Brian Sheridan 0-5, Joe Sheridan 0-1, Bryan Clarke 0-1. Sub: Paul Carey for Collins.

ST PATRICK'S - Brian Calvey, Jamie Woods, Keith Whearty, Andy Reilly, Mark Burns, Ray Russell, Andrew Mooney, Cormac Sullivan, Darren Hagan, Niall Mooney 1-2, Daithi Whyte 0-1, Mark Brandon 0-1, Barry Campbell 0-3, Cormac Murphy, Niall Whearty. Subs: Peter Sullivan for N Whearty, Alan Vickers for A Mooney.

Dunshaughlin 2-8

Summerhill 1-11

This share of the spoils did little for either sides chances of making the league decider at Dunshaughlin in mid-week.

Summerhill led by four points early in the second half but had too come from behind with two late points to force a draw.

Points from Michael Johnson, Martin Reilly and Niall Kelly had the home side ahead on three occasions in the opening quarter and they then took the lead again from wing back Fearghal Gogan. Reilly then stretched the lead with another point but Dunshaughlin were then stung by a Summerhill goal, Conor Gillespie shooting to the net on 21 minutes. The Hill then tagged on two further points to lead 1-5 to 0-5 at the break.

They added another one on the resumption before Dunshaughlin struck back following an incisive pass from Michael Johnson put Cathal O'Dwyer in the clear and the diminutive corner forward pointed from 30 yards.

Summerhill replied with another point, but Dunshaughlin were beginning to take a hold and winning the breaks at midfield. They found the net again on 36 minutes when Michael Johnson rose highest to punch to the net.

Niall Kelly then pointed to level proceedings at 1-7 each. The Hill then led on two different occasions as the game entered the final quarter but when O'Dwyer shot to the net it seemed to be enough for the Black and Amber men.

However Summerhill kept going until the final whistle and were rewarded with those two late points.

DUNSHAUGHLIN - Ronan Gogan, Tommy Johnson, Ken McTigue, Anthony Johnson, Fearghal Gogan 0-1, Michael Ahern, Denis Kealy, Niall Kelly 0-3, Caoimhin King, Trevor Dowd, Martin Reilly 0-2, Fearghal Delaney, Michael Johnson 1-1, Raymond Maloney, Cathal O'Dwyer 1-1. Subs: Ronald Yore for F Gogan, Richie Kealy for A Johnson.

SUMMERHILL - Tony McDonnell, Caolan Young, Gary Rispin, Adrian Kenny, Michael Gorman, Brian Ennis, Ciaran Malone, Maurice Kennedy 0-1, Martin McNally 0-1, Micheál Byrne 0-1, Conor Gillespie 1-0, Paul Larkin, Stephen Kennedy 0-6, Rory Donnelly 0-2, Damien Byrne. Subs: Bobby Lyons for D Byrne, Willie Ryan for Malone.

Trim 3-8

Rathkenny 1-9

After being the early pace setters in Division 2, Rath-kenny now find themselves in relegation bother following this fourth successive defeat .

The visitors scored the opening point through Ivan Lenehan, but that was the only time they led in the match and, boosted by a 17th-minute goal, the home side led 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Rathkenny enjoyed their best spell in the third quarter, during which they scored 1-2, with the goal on 43 minutes coming from Darren Barron. That left just two points between the sides, but two goals in quick succession put paid to any hopes Rathkenny had of ending their losing run.

RATHKENNY - J Martin, M Macken, D Curtis, M Reid, D Timmons, M Brien, T McKeever, B Meade 0-2 (2f), R Curtis, R Timmons, P Courtney 0-1, I Lenehan 0-1, O Elliott 0-1, D Barron 1-1, T Martin 0-3 (2fs). Sub: T Rowan for Lenehan.