Saints stun Syddan to seal semi-final spot

Ultan's brew up a storm in Moynalty

St Ultan’s 3-2-9 (22)

Syddan 2-0-13 (19)

The constant rain did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance at this cracking JFC encounter in Moynalty where St Ultan’s got the better of Syddan and booked their spot in the knock-out stages.

Despite the tough conditions, this clash was highly entertaining and remained in the balance throughout.

Syddan seized momentum early on and a fisted point from Cillian Rafferty was followed by a nice Daire Rowe score, set up by a wonderful ball from Graham Garland.

A cracking two-pointer from Tom Brennan restored parity. The sides traded scores as opposing half-backs Cathal Duff and Charlie O’Brien added their names to the scoresheet. Rowe edged Syddan back in front at the end of the first-quarter before a super kick-out from Keith Hennessy ran all the way through to Adam Rogers who set up Brennan and he levelled the sides again.

A nice move saw Michael Fedigan link up well with Rafferty and Rowe before he polished off the score himself which handed the advantage back to Syddan. Christy Grimes’ side solidified that advantage when Eoghan Dillon assisted Daire Rowe as he navigated his way past his marker and neatly finished the ball to the bottom left corner of the St Ultan’s net.

Syddan failed to score for the remainder of the half as points in quick succession from Conor Finnegan and Tommy Buchanan brought St Ultan’s back to within two points of the lead. There were goal chances at either end, one after the other for Cillian Yore and Michael Fedigan.

St Ultan’s finished out the half well with a goal courtesy of O’Brien followed by a lovely move that resulted in a two-pointer for Finnegan and at the break Darren Fay’s side led 1-9 to 1-6.

Syddan responded well after the restart and scored five points on the spin to regain a two-point advantage. Daire Rowe and Ben Blackmore both contributed a brace of points while Mark Fedigan also got in on the action with a nice score from a wide angle.

Syddan’s momentum was halted when Buchanan found the back of the net for his side's second green flag while Brennan handed the eventual winners a two-point lead at the end of the third quarter.

Mark Fedigan and Cormac Dardis did well in the build-up for Rowe’s second goal as Syddan seized back the lead. However, it was short-lived as a late addition to the starting 15, Luke Griffin, scored St Ultan’s crucial third goal. St Ultan’s made sure of the victory with late points from Finnegan and Rogers.

St Ultan’s: Keith Hennessy; Andrew Harford, Declan Ball, Martin Dolan; Charlie O’Brien (1-1), Luke Griffin (1-0), Cillian Yore; Lee Hennessy, Jonny Foster; Tom Brennan (0-5 one two-pointer), Sean Herward, Tommy Buchanan (1-1); Conor Finnegan (0-5 two frees, one two-pointer), Adam Rogers (0-1), Darren Mallon. Subs: Geroid Rennicks for Mallon half-time, Luke Cahill for Ball (43m), Declan Ball for Dolan, Alex Casserly for Griffen both 53m, Ruairi Buchanan for Foster 60m.

Syddan: Myles Aver; Aaron McKenna, Ronan Mooney, Dara Dillon; Mark Fedigan (0-1), Cathal Duff (0-1), Graham Garland; Sean Clare, Paddy Balfe; Michael Fedigan (0-1), Eoghan Dillon (0-1), Cillian Rafferty (0-1); Ben Blakemore (0-3), Daire Rowe (2-5 one free), Cormac Rowe (0-1). Subs: Ryan Summersby for Garland, Cormac Dardis for Michael Fedigan both 38m, Kevin Traynor for Dillon 56m.

Referee: Paddy Clarke (Kilmainhamwood).