Seneschalstown’s First Co. Meath Senior Title
In the replayed Meath Senior Football Championship Final at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, on Sunday last Seneschalstown left nobody in the large attendance present in any doubt as to their claims to a historic first-ever premier title with a convincing 0-11 to 1-5 success over Navan O’Mahonys.
Do not let that final scoreline deveive you, for make no mistake about it, the losers can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to get away with only a three points defeat.
For long periods during the hour, which was more entertaining than in the drawn game, Navan were forced to play second fiddle to a vastly superior and much fitter Seneschalstown side.
In contrast to the first encounter in which the townsmen were the pacemakers for most of the way O’Mahonys never got their heads in fron on Sunday.
FIRST TIME
And so the Meath senior football crown goes to the Beauparc-Kentstown parish for the first time in history and Seneschalstown players, officials and supporters alike found it extremely difficult to contain their overflowing abundance of joy, happiness and personal satisfaction when team captain Mickey Collins receives the coveted Keegan Cup from County Board Chairman, Colm Cromwell, at 4.15p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
This was a success which was earned the hard way. After winning the intermediate title in 1967, Seneschalstown made the senior crown their goal. Up to this year they had their share of ups and downs.
Even this year after tottingf up an early sequence of five consecutive championship victories, luck again seemed to be running against them when hit by injuries they lost to Trim. However, to their credit, they managed to courageously pull themselves from the floor with a victory over O’Mahonys, to give the men in blue and gold a semi-final spot.
FITTING
Still hit by injuries, Seneschalstown beat Skryne at the penultimate stage to earn a first-ever senior final place. It is, indeed, fitting that on Sunday they were able to field their strongest side for this most momentous occasion in the club’s history.
This was not only a victory for Seneschalstown, it was also a victory for football, for throughout the season the new Meath champions have earned the admiration of friend and foe alike with their exciting brand of fast, open football. And Sunday last was no exception with Seneschalstown providing lots of entertainment as well as plenty of talking points for the big crowd. When football supporters gather together by winter firesides or in public bars many names will be mentioned in connection with this historic success.
Who were the heroes on Sunday? For sheer brilliance and consistency over the hour it is hard to overlook the claims of star right corner back, Tommy Finnegan, for the award of “man of the match”.
SUPERB
Finnegan was absolutely superb and was the saviour of his side on numerous occasions when danger threatened and the jitters seemed to strike his comrades.
What a year this has been for Tommy, who earlier in the year was fighting ti command a regular place on his club’s senior side and now finds himself on the county senior team!
For the past few months many people have been saying that Ollie Geraghty is the big man on the Seneschalstown team. True, he played a major role in the games up to the final and again on Sunday he was a star in his own right.
EFFECTIVE
Big Ollie was particularly effective in the forst half, winning quite an amount of possession in the vital midfield exchanges, setting up attacks for his front line as well as shooting four very valuable points himself.
In the winners attack Petey Cromwell’s speed had the opposition at panic stations at times while Billy Collins also had an excellent game. Sonny Carter’s ability to take points from placed balls was another vital asset, as he shot three minors from frees in addition to a beautiful point from play.
Paddy Duggan and Frank Heskin also did well in attack. Terry McDonagh worked his heart out all the way at midfield, giving Geraghty great support.
Back to defence and here a special word must go to inspiring captain Mickey Collins, who was brilliant, especially when the pressure was on near the end.
SOUND
Larry Kearns was sound at left full back while Sean Finnegan, in his new position of right half back, got through an amount of good work. On the other flank Mickey McCabe showed up well. Full back Seanie Bowens was good, while behind him goalkeeper Padraig Collins was sound.
THE PLAY
Seneschalstown was first on the attack and JoeBrien was wide before Billy Collins shot a good long range point after three minutes. Joe Brien put clean through by Sean Finnegan shot straight at Ronan Giles from less than ten yards.
In the fifth minute Sonny Carter had a point from a free to leave his side two minors clear. O’Mahonys first attack did not come until the ninth minute with Harry Ratty pointing after good work by Willie Sheils. Navan were level after 11 minutes, through an Alan Burns pointed free.
Seneschalstown began to take control and points from Ollie Geraghty, Sonny Carter (free) and Geraghty again left them ahead by 0-5 to 0-2 after 22 minutes. At this stage the eventual winners were opening up with fine combination play. In the 25th minute after a nice movement involving Paddy Duggan and Petey Cromwell.
ON TARGET
Three minutes later the same player was on target with a similar score. Then just before half time Christy Blake punched to the net after a Paul Murphy cross to leave the interval score:
Seneschalstown 0-7, O’Mahonys 1-2
Seneschalstown were quickly into their stride on the resumption, with billy Collins shooting an excellent point from 40 yards out on the left.
Frank Heskin and Sonny Carter had wides before Petey Cromwell raced through on a long solo run to shoot a great point in the 6th minute. One minute later, Harry Ratty raised a white flag with a great shot from out on the right. Alan Burns and Sonny Carter exchanged points from frees midway through the half.
BEAUTIFUL
In the 16th minute Sonny Carter shot a beautiful point from play after a great centre from Billy Collins. In the 22nd minute Alan Burns completed the scoreline with a point from a free, to leave the final score:
Seneschalstown …………. 0-11
O’Mahonys ………………… 1-5
In Fairness to both sides, it must be pointed out that there were a few incidents that he could have done without. One also felt that referee Mr. Aidan Gillick was inclined to be a little too lenient as far as certain outbursts of temper were concerned.
AS WELL
O’Mahonys did not at any stage of the game look like winning and although they did try their utmost for an equaliser towards the end it would have been nothing more than a travesty of justice had they secured equality. Still, Navan probably played as well as they were let.
Their best players were Donal O’Grady, Seamus Murphy and Eamon Giles until receiving a knock, in defence. Willie Sheils who played his heart out, especially when switched to centrefield; Dermot Dalton, Alan Burns and the evergreen Harry Ratty in attack.
Scorers: Seneschalstown – S.Carter 0-4, O. Geraghty 0-4, B. Collins 0-2, P. Cromwell 0-1. Navan O’Mahonys –A Burns 0-3, C. Blake 1-0, H. Ratty 0-2.
Seneschalstown: Padraig Collins, Tommy Finnegan, Seanie Bowens, Larry Kearns, Sean Finnegan, Mick Collins (capt.), Mickey McCabe, Terry McDonagh, Ollie Geraghty, Petey Cromwell, Paddy Duggan, Billy Collins, Joe Brien, Frank Heskin, Sonny Carter. Subs: Richie McGuirk for Brien. Willie Clarke for Carter.
Navan O’Mahonys: Ronan Giles, Fergus Duffy, Donal O’Grady, Peter Matthews, Seamus Murphy, Eamon Giles (captain), Pat Duffy, Joe Cassells, Christy Blake, Bobby Duffy, Dermot Dalton, Alan Burns, Harry Ratty, Willie Sheils, Paul Murphy. Sub: Louis Kinsella for E. Giles
FIGURES FOR THE FINAL:
Seneschalstown
Goals Points Wides Frees
Ist half 0 7 7 11
2nd half 0 4 7 8
Total 0 11 14 19
Navan O’Mahonys
Goals Points Wides Frees
Ist half 1 2 2 8
2nd half 0 3 5 11
Total 1 5 7 19
This report was written by Noel Coogan.
