KELLS NO MATCH IN SENIOR LEAGUE FINAL
Seneschalstown Back To Best Form
Seneschalstown carved a special niche for themselves in Meath G.A.A. history at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, on Sunday, when they added the 1972 senior football league to the senior and under-21 championships already safely tucked away. All the power, talent and skill, missing for some months, came surging back as they whipped Colmcille Gaels (Kells) by 3-11 to 0-4.
KELLS NO MATCH IN SENIOR LEAGUE FINAL
Seneschalstown Back To Best Form
Seneschalstown carved a special niche for themselves in Meath G.A.A. history at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, on Sunday, when they added the 1972 senior football league to the senior and under-21 championships already safely tucked away. All the power, talent and skill, missing for some months, came surging back as they whipped Colmcille Gaels (Kells) by 3-11 to 0-4.
This was Seneschalstown at their best as they tore Kells to pieces with an immaculate exhibition of the finer crafts of the game. Admittedly, two of their three first half goals could have been prevented but there was no doubting their absolute supremacy.
It was only when Kells were reduced to fourteen men – Gerry Lynch received marching orders a minute before half time after a series of misdemeanors – that Seneschalstown lost some of their bite but by that stage there was no doubt where the league title was heading.
The Gaels were somewhat unfortunate in having to face the breeze in the first half as it allowed Seneschalstown the opportunity of really putting their talents together. By the time Kells had the use of the elements the match was as good as over, despite the sterling attempts of Kells’ Frank Ward and Joe Murphy to get their team back in the hunt.
M. CARTER RETURNS
It was in the opening thirty minutes that Seneschalstown really turned on the power. They welcomed back to senior ranks Maurice Carter, who three or four years ago looked like becoming an outstanding player, and he showed that despite his long lay-off he had lost none of his skills. It was Carter – and his superb linking up with full forward Ollie Geraghty – who put Seneschalstown on the road to victory, with the two players accounting for 3-7 of their team’s total. The winners led by 3-8 to 0-2 at the interval.
Seneschalstown’s first half performance was one of the best they have put on for a long time. There was confidence in everything they did and their attack seemed to boast a new skill. Carter and Geraghty combined magnificently, while Terry McDonagh seemed to relish his return to midfield. In defence Mick Collins waged a great first half battle with Joe Murphy and Seanie Bowens, Tom Finnegan and Mickey McCabe were utterly dependable. Toss Clarke at right half-back, had one of his finest games to date for Seneschalstown and his fielding was superb.
But for Frank Ward and Joe Murphy, in addition to Sean Rennicks, the Gaels might well have suffered an even heavier reverse. This trio battled on for the entire hour and their efforts deserved a much greater reward. John Griffin played solidly throughout but apart from Brian Reilly, Mickey Donegan, Tony Grey and P.McQuaid the Kells men seemed to lack the determination and drive of their opponents.
Scorers:
Seneschalstown – O. Geraghty (2-4), M. Carter (1-3), B. Crinion (0-2), P.Duggan and S. Carter (0-1) each.
Colmcille Gaels – B. Quinlan, B. Reilly, T. Grey and B. Morris (0-1 each).
Seneschalstown: P. Collins, S. Bowens, T. Finnegan, S. Finnegan, T. Clarke, M. Collins, M. McCabe, F. Heskin, T. McDonagh, P. Cromwell, B. Crinion, P. Duggan, M. Carter, O. Geraghty, S. Carter. Sub: J. Clarke for Duggan.
Colmcille Gaels: G. McManus, P. McQuaid, V. Cahill, G. Lynch, M. Donegan, F. Ward, J. Griffin, S. Rennicks, J. Arkins, T. Hickey, J. Murphy, B. Reilly, B. Morris, T. Grey, B. Quinlan. Sub: J. Olohan for Quinlan.
Referee: Mr. Liam Brady (Bohermeen)
NEW TROPHY
A new trophy – the Thomas Mooney Perpetual Cup – was presented to the captain of the victorious team, Ollie Geraghty, by Mr. Raymond Mooney, secretary of Skryne G.F.C. and son of the late Mr. Thomas Mooney, after whom the cup is named. The trophy was presented to the Skryne club by Mr. Cyril O’Brien, the former Skryne and Meath star, and brother of Paddy O’Brien, perhaps the greatest full-back ever.
