Slane's silverware again

Slane....................... 1-3-13 (22)

Syddan ...................2-1-9 (17)

For the second time in three years Slane claimed the silverware with victory over the holders in the Tailteann Cup final at Syddan on Sunday, writes Sean Wall.

When the sides’ clashed in the league a few weeks back Slane had nine points to spare at the finish but this proved a much more competitive affair with the outcome in doubt for the majority of the hour.

Slane did much of the heavy lifting throughout the opening half when playing into a strong wind which blew towards the clubhouse end. They conceded a goal and a point in the opening minutes but had fought back to lead on the approach to half-time.

Syddan struck for a second goal on the cusp of the break to lead 2-6 to 1-7 but considering the force of the elements that two point advantage wasn’t nearly enough to sustain them throughout the second half.

The eventual winners regained the lead within five minutes of the restart and Syddan were always playing catch up after that as Slane managed the game well to end deserving winners.

Twelve different players were on the mark for Slane while Syddan had just four contributors to the scoring and that proved significant. The hosts relied far too heavily on Daire Rowe and the corner forward finished with a tally of 1-8 including all of his side’s second half scores.

Eoghan Dillon had Syddan ahead within 30 seconds and Syddan then found the net after Cillian Rafferty spotted Mark Fedigan unmarked inside the Slane cover and the wing back finished low to the net. Daire Rowe then opened his account from the right wing on six minutes.

Slane’s response was swift and decisive and in a well work move James Grogan passed to Senan Duffy who finished to the net. Evan Murray then got forward to point after Eoin Feeley had broken up a Syddan attack. Quick-fire points from Peter Martyn and Matthew Tully had Slane ahead on 13 minutes.

That lead didn’t last long however as Cormac Dardis hit a two-pointer and Rowe added another point to leave it 1-5 to 1-3 at the quarter hour mark. Slane though were applying most of the pressure and were rewarded with points from Duffy, Tadhg Martyn and Ethan Harding as they regained the lead. A Rowe free had it back level before Harding again restored his side’s slim advantage.

On the half hour mark the alert Rowe pounced on a rebound off a post and at the second attempt drove low to the net to give his side the lead at the break.

Rowe then pointed a free at the start of the second half but within five minutes Slane had turned it around.

First veteran Alan Harding hit a two-pointer and wing back Matthew Kealy repeated the feat soon after. Senan Duffy, who was a constant thorn to the Syddan defence until he was forced off with an injury, stretched the lead with a point on 40 minutes.

A brace of Rowe points had it back level but Slane substitute Conor Forde made an almost immediate impact with the lead point for his side.

Slane eventually went four points clear following further scores from Jim Marry, Matthew Tully and another sub Francis Marry.

Another point from Rowe kept Syddan within striking distance but a magnificent two-pointer from substitute Forde gave his side some breathing space.

The teams’ swapped points after that but Slane were comfortable enough winners.

Slane : Braydon Colfer; Shane O’Sullivan, Kyle Tallon, Eoin Feeley; Matthew Kealy (0-2 one two-pointer), Tadhg Martyn (0-1), Evan Murray (0-1); Jim Marry (0-1), Peter Martyn 0-1; Sean Martyn, Ethan Harding (0-2), Matthew Tully (0-2); Senan Duffy (1-2), Alan Harding (0-2 one two-pointer), James Grogan. Subs – Conor Forde (0-3 one two-pointer) for O’Sullivan 42m, Francis Marry (0-1) for Duffy 45m, Oisin Mooney (0-1) for Grogan 47m.

Syddan : Myles Aver; Alex Timmons Sheehy, Cathal Duff, Zak Bourne; Mark Fedigan (1-0), Ryan Summersby, Graham Garland; Patrick Balfe, Sean Clare; Michael Fedigan, Eoghan Dillon (0-1), Cormac Dardis (0-2 one two-pointer); Daire Rowe (1-8 four frees), Cillian Rafferty, Cormac Rowe. Subs - Aaron McKenna for Timmons Sheehy 52m, Cathal Dardis for Cormac Dardis, Jodi Donoghue for Michael Fedigan both 58m.

Referee: Adrian Corcoran (Drumbaragh).