Feis Cup Round 2
Seneschalstown 0-14 St. Colmcille’s 1-09
Travelling to Páirc Uí Rís for an away game the third time in a little over 18 months, Seneschalstown turned in a steely second half performance to overturn a five point half time deficit into a two point win on the east coast. The win was made all the better due to the fact Seneschalstown were down a vast number of bodies from last week’s narrow defeat to Gaeil Colmcille.
Feis Cup Round 2
Seneschalstown 0-14 St. Colmcille’s 1-09
Travelling to Páirc Uí Rís for an away game the third time in a little over 18 months, Seneschalstown turned in a steely second half performance to overturn a five point half time deficit into a two point win on the east coast. The win was made all the better due to the fact Seneschalstown were down a vast number of bodies from last week’s narrow defeat to Gaeil Colmcille.
There were five changes to the starting team, with a few of the wider squad also unavailable. Two of those changes were particularly notable, both Óran Lawlor and Darren O’Brien came straight into the team for their Senior debuts having not featured last weekend in the first round
After conceding a late goal to lose out in the opening round, Seneschalstown were on the back foot early on when the home side rattled the back of the net in the 5th minute after piercing open the visiting defence. Seneschalstown got themselves moving in the seventh minute when Cathal Finnegan was successful with a free after James Meade was fouled. Four minutes later, Finnegan was on target again from a close range free when Dylan Keating was pulled back when bearing down on the St. Colmcilles goal.
The seasiders were about to enjoy their best spell of the game, reeling off four points in six minutes to move five points to the good, and they were getting a lot of joy in the middle of the pitch at this point.
Seneschalstown stalled the St. Colmcille’s momentum somewhat when Alan Mulvany drilled over into the wind after some good build up play from Ross Howard near the corner. The hosts replied with another white flag but Dylan Keating was about to put his name in the Seneschalstown scorers column, finishing off a good move that was started by Cathal Finnegan claiming a kickout he had no right to win. One last Cilles point before the break maintained their five point cushion at half-time, who were full value for their lead up to that point.
Needing something and fast, Seneschalstown came out for the second half a different side. Now backed by the elements, James Meade got the ball rolling for the second half when he knocked over a free from 30 metres out. Cathal Finnegan did likewise four minutes later and slowly the momentum was starting to turn the way of the Yellow Furze men. Two minutes later, Finnegan was at it again. This time he landed one from way out and Seneschalstown had the gap down to two. After soaking up some Cilles pressure and defending well for a period, David Gordon launched a wind assisted kickout over half way which was excellently read by Finnegan. Finnegan took off, leaving defenders in his wake and he popped the ball between the posts off his right foot to leave the minimum between the sides.
St. Colmcille’s ended a 20 minute barren spell with a point to move two clear with ten minutes left on Liam Reddy’s watch, but Seneschalstown continued their counter offensive and were level inside 60 seconds. Straight from that St. Colmcille’s point, Johnny Gilsenan won the ball near the corner and took aim with a booming effort that found the range, before Seneschalstown won the kickout and engineered a bit of space for Cathal Finnegan to complete the move and draw the sides level for the first time all night with 51 minutes played.
The home side started to empty the bench and were able to call on none other than Graham Reilly, who put his name to a point which restored the Cilles advantage but Gilsenan replied instantly for Ciaran Marks men, sensibly choosing to fist over when maybe there was a goal chance on.
With two minutes left on the clock, the visitors hit the front for the first time. Scorer in-chief Finnegan pointing from 35 metres after doing a lot of the ground work himself. However, Seneschalstown couldn’t rest on their laurels just yet as James Conlon kicked a free for the hosts as the clock was about to tick over the 60 minute mark. After winning a turnover, Seneschalstown countered forward in injury-time and isolated Finnegan one on one against a defender inside the Cilles 45. Finnegan did well to claim the mark and split the posts and again the visitors nosed in front once more. This time they won possession and managed to play some keep ball before Dylan Keating and Ross Howard combined to set Alan Mulvany through on goal. Mulvany put his boot through the ball as the keeper closed in on him and it went over the bar, giving Seneschalstown some much needed breathing space.
There was barely time for the last kickout before full-time was called for and with that Seneschalstown had their first victory of 2023. A second half display full of character was required, and that is what supporters of the men in blue and yellow got as they gradually clawed their way back into the game. One final group game awaits the Yellow Furze men as they welcome Dunshaughlin to Fr. Tully Park next Friday night.
Seneschalstown: David Gordon, Conor McDonnell, Cillian Lawlor, Óran Lawlor, Rob Wogan, Niall McCabe, Darren O’Brien, Podge Finegan, Ronan Conneely, Ross Howard, James Meade (0-01, 1f), Alan Mulvany (0-02), Neill Darby, Cathal Finnegan (0-08, 5fs, 1m), Dylan Keating (0-01).
Subs: Johnny Gilsenan (0-02), Mark Fox, Tom McDonnell, Brian Maguire (blood sub)
