JM Food Services Football League Division 2 Semi-Final
Seneschalstown 2-08 Curraha 0-08
At the outset of this year’s JM Food Services Football League Division 2 campaign, the primary objective for Seneschalstown was gaining promotion to Division 1. Come approximately midday on Sunday, Seneschalstown were able to tick that box as they stormed to a six point victory in the second half. While there were many impressive performances throughout, the headlines will undoubtedly go to one man – Cathal Hickey.
Having landed home from a holiday abroad in the early hours of Sunday morning, the Meath man made a telling impact once sprung from the bench after the resumption, plundering 2-02 for himself and having a hand in most of the other scores that came Seneschalstown’s way thereafter.
Despite winning the Round 3 League clash between the sides back in April by seven points, Seneschalstown were expecting a big showing from Curraha who enjoyed a really positive League themselves, particularly in the middle part of the campaign as they went toe to toe with Sunday’s hosts for top spot throughout.
That in itself probably lead to the cagey, tight nature of the first half. While there weren’t a clatter of scores put on the scoreboard, it absolutely did not lack in hard hitting endeavour from both sides, greatly aided by referee Cormac Reilly who contributed handsome to the game.
The big crowd that turned up hadn’t long to wait for their opening score. Seneschalstown won the throw in through Danny Waters and he was fouled as he tried to get away from the shackles of his marker to deliver the ball. Eoin Finnegan, who also returned early from his holidays (and went back afterwards) stepped up to settle the home side with a free from 45 metres out.
Curraha levelled after four minutes when James McEntee converted a 45’. Seneschalstown had Simon Rooney to thank for a stunning block on the goal line where he came from nowhere to take the ball off the toe of an unsuspecting Curraha player after keeper James Meade had been rounded. Footage of the block on Meath GAA’s social media pages is certainly well worth the watch.
Seneschalstown retook the lead in the ninth minute. Brian Maguire won a mark from a Curraha kickout and before his five seconds were up he was fouled. He spotted Alan Mulvany moving inside and the corner forward expertly swivelled and shot in almost one movement from about 25 metres and the ball went sailing between the sticks.
A Jack O’Connor free levelled matters once again in the 14th minute but the half would only have one more score.
Seneschalstown worked possession well on the right hand side of the pitch with Robbie Finnegan and keeper James Meade involved deep in the Curraha half before Cathal Hickey, briefly on as a blood sub, was tugged back. Like earlier, Eoin Finnegan clipped over the free and Seneschalstown carried that slender advantage with them to the dressing rooms at the break, 0-03 to 0-02.
When Seneschalstown returned from the dressing room at the start of the second half, they were a different side. Like in the first half, Eoin Finnegan was first to score when he turned and kicked over off his left after Joey Moore set him up. About a minute later, Seneschalstown were three to the good.
Robbie Finnegan took a shot from the right hand side which dropped short and was parried away by the Curraha keeper. Alan Mulvany picked up the loose ball and popped off to Dylan Keating who pointed from a tight angle under the scoreboard.
Enter Cathal Hickey, this time for good in the 38th minute.
A Conor Moriarty point left two between the sides once again but there was a match defining phase of play in the 44th minute.
When a long ball into the Seneschalstown defence broke to a Curraha player, it looked like the ball would end up in the Seneschalstown net. However James Meade robbed it and broke out of defence. He picked out Alan Mulvany with a long kick pass who in turn popped the ball into Hickey. Hickey played a one two with Donie Commons as he bore down on goal and with little space the substitute slotted the ball beyond the keeper and into the net.
The same player almost had a second goal seconds after, this time he was thwarted by the Curraha netminder and the ball went out for a 45’. Not finished showing everyone what he could do, Hickey nailed the 45’ and Seneschalstown now lead by six entering the final quarter.
Curraha to their credit kept in the fight, and responded with the next the next two points both from play but Seneschalstown made their winning push with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Alan Mulvany and Eoin Finnegan were involved in a tidy move which saw Hickey come through and slot the ball into the net for Seneschalstown’s second goal. Another point for the visitors followed, before another dangerous run by Hickey caused a defender to foul him from which Finnegan knocked over the resultant free with three minutes left on the clock.
Seneschalstown’s last point was sandwiched between two for Curraha. It came from the boot of that man Hickey, he worked a quick free with Robbie Finnegan for the former to chip over and wrap up victory.
Seneschalstown now have a Division 2 League Final to prepare for on Wednesday night, their first since winning the trophy in 2019 and have Division 1 football to look forward to next year. Surely it will last longer than their last sojourn in the top tier in 2020, which amounted to a solitary game before the season was halted and then the Leagues were subsequently restructured.
Throw-in for the Division 2 Final on Wednesday night in Ashbourne is at 7:15.
Seneschalstown: James Meade, Cormac Carolan, Simon Rooney, Séimí Byrne, Ronan Conneely, Brian Maguire, Mark Fox, Danny Waters, Donie Commons, Robbie Finnegan, Joey Moore, Darren O’Brien, Dylan Keating (0-01), Eoin Finnegan (0-04, 3fs), Alan Mulvany (0-01).
Subs Used: Cathal Hickey (2-02, 1 ‘45’), Neil Darby, David Fox, Sean Carey
