A better balanced Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar were crowned North Leinster junior ‘A’ football champions this afternoon following a 1-15 to 3-7 over St. Pat’s, Navan in Longwood.

The Westmeath side raced into an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead, despite playing against a stiff breeze, but two pointed frees by Barry Dardis helped Navan to settle and they went in front when Cathal Smith slotted home a penalty following a foul on Fiachra Ward, younger brother of Meath senior Cian.

When Barry Dardis added a second goal, Pat’s were 2-2 to 0-4 to the good, but Colaiste Mhuire replied with a goal of their own from Luke Peppard and further points to trail by 1-6 to 2-5 at half-time.

With Ballynacargy’s Jamie Loran helping himself to 0-5 and midfielder Sean Daly also chipping in with 0-3, Mullingar took control after the restart and led by 1-10 to 2-4 at the three-quarter stage.

They had extended their advantage to 1-14 to 2-7 before a late Nicky O’Brien goal for Navan – who started without senior star Liam Burke – left them hanging on for a two-point win.

Colaiste Mhuire now move ahead with all guns blazing facing into their toughest challenge yet in a formidable Colaiste Eoin side who will fight to death for the Leinster title that each side craves to win.

Colaiste Mhuire: L Racinskas; A Moore, B Slevin, A Wallace; E Siode, C Scally, K Daly; S Daly, D Lynch; M Browne, D Whelan, J Loran; E Corrigan, N O’Brien, L Peppard.

St. Pat’s: R Burlingham; R O Coilean, D Curran, D Rogers; M Gardner, O Fitzpatrick, J Heaney; D Regan, V Moore; D Dillon, B Dardis, C Smith; N O’Brien, F Ward, P Kennelly.

Referee: B O’Shea (Dublin).

Colaiste Mhuire’s Mark Browne gets in his shot as St Pats full back Dean Curran moves into block during the North Leinster Junior “A” Colleges final at Longwood.