Published Monday, 18 March 2013
St Patrick’s Stephen O'Hara celebrates scoring. (© Presseye)
St Paul's, who were competing in their first final, trailed by four points at half time but they enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the final quarter.
They sent over a stoppage time point to reduce the margin to the minimum after twice narrowly missing out on goals.
But St Pat's held on for the win which came as rich consolation for last year's defeat in the final.
Conor Carville and Stephen O'Hara had put the south Derry side into the ascendancy as they led 2-1 to 0-3 at the break.
But five points from free taker Ciaron O'Hanlon put St Paul's right back in the game.
St Pat's were indebted to goalkeeper Ciaran McCloy who pulled off a blinding save from Paddy Nugent.
Then Eoghan Burns'effort was deflected over the bar for a point as the comeback continued.
A score from Caolan McCullough was followed by O'Hanlon's free but St Pat's secured possession and the win.