Seneschalstown take scenic route to silverware

They took the scenic route but Seneschalstown finally saw off the challenge of a battling Ballinabrackey side 3-14 to 2-12  in the A FL Div 2 final at Trim this evening - but only after extra-time. 

This highly entertaining encounter ebbed and flowed throughout with Seneschalstown looking like they had done enough to win the game at the end of normal time when they led, 1-10 to 0-10, however with the last play Ballinabrackey worked a goal with Sean Coffey finishing to the net from close range.  

It was onto extra-time and it was then that the Yellow Furze side who are managed by Joe Cowley and former Armagh player Oisin McConville who found the extra gear to go on and win. Near the end of normal time Seneschalstown's Andrew Collins picke up a second yellow and made the long, lonely walk to the sideline. 

The sides were level 0-5 apiece at the break in normal time and with Chris O'Connor firing over two points in quick succession the 'Bracks edged ahead. However with their high-tempo game Seneschalstown hauled themselves back in front with the help of a Niall Hickey goal after he got to the end of a Joe Sheridan cross on 49 minutes. 

With O'Connor providing a powerhouse performance Ballinabrackey kept in touch but they looked like they were going to lose out at the end of normal time until Coffey struck with his goal after a Damien Carroll '45' ended up in the Seneschalstown goalmouth. 

In extra-time Dylan Keating netted a superb goal for Seneschalstown however Carroll punched the ball to the net for Ballinabrackey immediately afterwards. At the break in extra-time the sides were still level, 2-11 apiece. 

Seneschalstown then surged ahead partly through the efforts of Keating who clipped over a point and added a neatly taken goal in the exciting closing stages to clinch the victory - and the silverware for Seneschalstown. 

SCORERS

Seneschalstown - Dylan Keating 2-3; Niall Hickey 1-0; Brian Sheridan 0-3, one free; Cathal Finnegan 0-3 frees; Alan Mulvany 0-2; Joe Sheridan 0-2; Cathal Hickey 0-1. 

Ballinabrackey - Chris O'Connor 0-6 four frees; Sean Coffey 1-0; Damien Carroll 1-0; Dean McNamee 0-3 one free; Danny Quinn 0-2; Stephen Donoghue 0-1. 

See match report in the next issue of the Meath Chronicle.