Seneschalstown almost run out of gas in SFC thriller

Seneschalstown survived a final quarter SFC fade-out this evening at Pairc Tailteann where they negotiated Na Fianna by 2-13 to 1-11.

Seneschalstown were ahead by 2-12 to 0-6 with 19 minutes remaining, but were running on empty and praying for the final whistle as they almost faltered on the run to the winning post.

They bombed out of the traps and only 12 seconds were on the clock when Alan Mulvaney raced through the Na Fianna defence to set Seneschalstown on their way to victory with a fine point.

A minute later Bryan Clarke claimed the first of his two goals before and the points flowed from Cathal Finnegan (four), Dylan Keating, Clarke, Brian Sheridan and Colm Carr.

Na Fianna expended lots of energy, but were thwarted by the high-energy Seneschalstown tackling.

Na Fianna managed a brace of pointed Daniel Queeney frees with one from play and Oisin McCloskey also sent over from play.

Na Fianna trailed by 0-4 to 2-9 at the interval and fell further adrift before launching a late rally as Seneschalstown did just about enough to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the second-half to emerge with a hard-earned victory.

Four second-half points, the last in added time, saw Seneschalstown hanging on as Na Fianna closed the gap.

Substitute Jonathan Gilsenan, who made a big impact, Alan Mulvaney, Cathal Finnegan and Joseph Moore sent over the crucial points for a faltering Seneschalstown side.

Three Jamie Queeney points, one each by Ethan Devine, Conor Downey, Dan Queeney and Jack McNally eased the Baconston / Enfield men into contention.

Devine found the net with a speculative effort off the post that added to the late excitement, but Na Fianna just didn't have it in them to seize the opportunity that was there for most of the final quarter and six minutes of added time.

Seneschalstown had to survive that added time with 14 men after Cathal Hickey picked up a black card.

SCORERS

Seneschalstown - Bryan Clarke 2-1, Cathal Finnegan 0-5 three frees, Alan Mulvaney 0-2, Brian Sheridan 0-1, Dylan Keating 0-1, Colm Carr 0-1, Joseph Moore 0-1, Jonathan Gilsenan 0-1.

Na Fianna - Ethan Devine 1-1, Dan Queeney 0-4 two frees, Jamie Queeney 0-3 two frees, Oisin McCloskey 0-1, Jack McNally 0-1, Conor Downey 0-1.

TEAMS

Seneschalstown - Davy Lyons; Woodley Nicholson, John Smith, Niall Hickey; Adam Carey, Colm Carr, Ronan Conneeley; Brian Sheridan, Cathal Hickey; Alan Mulvaney, Joseph Moore, Dylan Keating; Cathal Finnegan, Bryan Clarke, Padraig Finnegan. Subs - Jonathan Gilsenan for P Finnegan 33 mins, Brian Maguire for Smith 45m, Stephen Finnegan for Moore 56m, Simon Rooney for Mulvaney 58m.

Black card - C Hickey 60 mins.

Na Fianna - Shane Geraghty; John Baldwin, Michael Farley, Luke Kelly; Oisin McCloskey, Dean Hendrick, Jake McCredin; Vincent Ward, Dan Queeney; Owen McDonnell, Sean Martin, Ethan Devine; Conor Downey, Jamie Queeney, Shane Walsh. Subs - Jack McNally for Martin 11 mins, Michael Collins for Ward 36m, Sean Rafferty for Farley 38m, Evan Hendrick for D Hendrick 59.

Referee - Keith Sheerin (Drumconrath).

PHOTO

The hard-working and diligent stewards on duty at Pairc Tailteann today for the IFC and SFC games.