Meath U-14 Division 2 Final
Clann Na Gael 6-11 Seneschalstown 2-13
Meath U-14 Division 2 Final
Clann Na Gael 6-11 Seneschalstown 2-13
Skryne was the venue on Tuesday evening when the young U-14 football players from Seneschalstown and Clann Na Gael renewed acquaintances in the Division 2 League Final. These players are building up quite the rivalry, having played in an U-12 Final with some having also met in a Cumann Na mBunscol Final in the Autumn of 2013. On both of these previous occasions it was the boys from Seneschalstown who prevailed but on Tuesday it was the turn of the Clann Na Gael youngsters to get their hands on the silverware when they prevailed by ten points following a very impressive display.
The Athboy/Rathcairn side were quickest off the mark when pointing with a minute gone but Seneschalstown didn’t take long to cancel this score out when wing forward Sean Commons pointed following good work from Alan Carey, Jamie Kirwan and Joseph Moore. Following this score Clann Na Gael hit a purple patch as they hit two goals and three points in a nine minute spell, the two goals coming from the boot of corner forward Matthew Smith. During this spell Seneschalstown were struggling to get their flowing moves together but any time they managed to get the ball to Ross Mullen the brilliant full forward was able to do damage and he nabbed a goal and a point to keep his side in touch.
With a quarter hour elapsed Joseph Moore took full use of the advantage rule when firing over from distance as referee Paul Mooney allowed play to continue after the strength of his jersey had been tested as he tried to burst past his marker. Moore soon added a free before Clann Na Gael added a further goal and a point, this time the goal coming from Darragh Canny. Simon Rooney is capable of causing damage when setting off on a rampaging run from his centre half back berth and when one of these runs was unceremoniously brought to a halt by a foul Sean Commons punished the misdemeanour as best he could by tapping over the resultant free. Clann Na Gael replied with a point from play before Seneschalstown finished the half on the front foot courtesy of points from Alan Carey and Sean Commons.
These late scores left the half time margin at five points, 3-06 to 1-07 and with Clann Na Gael deserving of being ahead but Seneschalstown, although struggling to get their game going were still looking dangerous when getting into attacking positions.
Looking for a quick start at the outset of the second half Seneschalstown didn’t take long to get it when with just fifty five seconds elapsed Sean Commons let fly with an exocet of a shot from fully thirty five metres and saw his effort rattle the roof of the net for a simply sensational goal. Commons next added a thirteen metre free after Ross Mullen was grounded following a push in the back before the hard working Cathal Hickey drew the sides level with a point. There was now a feeling that the next score would be crucial, were Seneschalstown to get it they may push on but were Clann na Gael to register they would have steadied the ship and look to push on as the game entered its final furlong.
And when the score did arrive it came from the boot of Sean Ivers who found the back of the Seneschalstown net to notch his sides fourth major of the game so far. Joseph Moore looked to settle his side with a point from play after good play from Alan Carey and Will Finnegan but disaster soon struck as Darragh Canny got his second goal and then this score was followed three minutes later with another point.
The youngers from Yellow Furze and Kentstown displayed their battling qualities when picking off two points in a row from Ross Mullen and Jamie Kirwan, Kirwan’s effort notable for the inspirational play in defence from Simon Rooney who chased down a seemingly lost cause to force a turnover before linking up with Cathal Hickey to launch a counter attack. However try as they did to peg their opponents back, Seneschalstown in having to commit bodies to attack were leaving themselves somewhat open at the back and Clann Na Gael soon pilfered another goal and a point, the green flag being raised by Cian O’Neill. In response to this setback Simon Rooney looked to hit back straight away but saw his powerful effort ricochet back off the crossbar as the captain looked to inspire his side to a comeback. Joseph Moore did manage to clip over another point but Clann Na Gael closed the game out with three points to eventually prevail by ten points.
This result will have been very disappointing for the Seneschalstown boys to take but each will acknowledge that there has always been little between the sides and while on previous occasions they may have got the lucky breaks to secure victories on this occasion Clann Na Gael performed that little bit better and on the night deserved their victory.
However with a trip to Féile just around the corner, with a journey to Bunclody coming up on Friday June 26th they will look to bounce back when representing their county and to this end the kind words spoken by Clann na Gael captain Darragh Swaine when wishing them all the best at Féile were greatly appreciated.
Seneschalstown Scorers: Sean Commons 1-04, Ross Mullen 1-01, Joseph Moore 0-04, Alan Carey 0-01, Cathal Hickey 0-01
Seneschalstown: John Cahalane, Ben Coffey, Padraig Finnegan, Cillian Lawlor, Josh Ryan, Simon Rooney, Kit Waddington, Cathal Hickey, Joseph Moore, Will Finnegan, Jamie Kirwan, Sean Commons, Alan Carey, Ross Mullen, Liam Maguire.
Seneschalstown Substitutions: Woodley Nicholson for B. Coffey, Daire Walsh for C. Lawlor, Aaron Traynor for A. Carey, Tiernan Keogh for J. Ryan.
