Kepak Junior C Championship Quarter-Final
Seneschalstown 1-15 Na Fianna 3-8.
(HT Seneschalstown 1-8 Na Fianna 1-5)
A collective sigh of relief at the final whistle as Seneschalstown secured a semi-final spot against Wolfe Tones with a late free from Anna Donnelly against Na Fianna in Fr Tully Park.
Halfway through the 2nd half the home team led by 9 points but Na Fianna came roaring back to score 2-3 without reply to gain parity heading into the final minutes of the game. Indeed, Na Fianna did have a chance to go in front but a half block on the kick allowed the Seneschalstown defense to recover the ball and attack down the pavilion side ending up with a foul on Anna Donnely who then composed herself and calmly slotted the resultant kick between the posts.
Early first half exchanges were tight, and it was Lucy Lynch who opened the scoring in the 5th minute. Na Fianna equalized from a free almost immediately. Seneschalstowns goal arrived in the 7th minute when a long-range point attempt from Ava Jane Ryan deceived the visitors keep and ended up in the net. Na Fianna tagged on two more frees but points from Lana Wardick and Anna Donnelly extended the home side’s lead by the end of the first quarter. Na Fianna struck their 1st goal in the 16th minute from a rebound after Seneschalstown keeper Caitilin Gallagher had made an excellent point blank save. The home team tagged on 5 more points on the run into half time from Ryan, Anna and Sarah Jane Donnelly to lead by 3 at the break on a scoreline of 1-8 to 1-5.
Seneschalstown had to make a few changes at the break due to knocks with both corners back Niamh Mulvany and Grace Finnegan being replaced by Rebecca Burke and Leah Ryan. Straight from the throw in Seneschalstown extended the lead with a point from Sarah Jane Donnelly. From that moment until the midway point of the half, Seneschalstown were well on top with some excellent team play and Anna Donnelly kicked 5 points from play and frees to push the home side into a comfortable lead. The visitors netted their 2nd goal just after the midpoint of the half and with 3 minutes remaining drew level with their 3rd goal. The last few minutes were nail biting for both set of supporters until Donnelly settled the issue in injury time with that late free.
Seneschalstown now go on to play Wolfe Tones in the semi-final with the Tones having home advantage next Sunday at 1:00pm in Kilberry.
Seneschalstown: Caitlin Gallagher, Niamh Mulvany, Aoife Lenehan, Grace Finnegan, Robyn Harten, Moya Watters, Keelin Rooney, Chloe Williams, Darcey Kilfeather, Anna Donnelly (0-8), Eve Wardick Clarke, Sarah Jane Donnelly (0-3), Ava Jane Ryan (1-2), Lana Wardick (0-1), Lucy Lynch (0-1).
Subs Used: Leah Ryan Rebecca Burke, Megan Connolly, Saidhbh Monaghan, Aoife Dungan.
