Match Report
Senior Championship Semi-Final
Sun 12th Sept 2010 Seneschalstown 0-10 Rathkenny 0-8
They don’t like to do things the easy way in Seneschalstown and that was evident at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday as the defending champions made hard work of disposing of Rathkenny in this dull and uninspiring SFC semi-final.
Match Report
Senior Championship Semi-Final
Sun 12th Sept 2010 Seneschalstown 0-10 Rathkenny 0-8
They don’t like to do things the easy way in Seneschalstown and that was evident at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday as the defending champions made hard work of disposing of Rathkenny in this dull and uninspiring SFC semi-final.
Seneschalstown’s last two SFC titles in 2007 and 2009 were achieved with replay victories over Navan O’Mahonys and Wolfe Tones respectively. On Sunday they had to draw on every last ounce of experience to ensure they negotiated a tenacious Rathkenny challenge. The rise of Rathkenny from relegation candidates to title contenders in less than 12 months is the stuff of dreams and they almost sprung another surprise before eventually running out of steam and ideas. Seneschalstown had already lost twice, which included a group defeat by, until Sunday, unbeaten Rathkenny.
For almost three quarters of Sunday’s semi-final Rathkenny looked on course for a first SFC final appearance since 1923. They got their noses in front after 90 seconds and it wasn’t until 11 minutes from time that they eventually fell behind. Their failure to score in the final 21 minutes extinguished any chance of victory. They don’t play the best football, but Rathkenny are very effective. They worked ferociously and at a pace and tempo that Seneschalstown struggled to match. Hunger, passion and drive ensured Rathkenny were always in contention, but that X factor was missing.
Rathkenny did have some exceptional performances with Donal Keoghan in particular excelling throughout. As a tight marking corner-back he defended well, but it was when he rampaged forward that he caused Seneschalstown problems. David Donegan also put in a similar shift and with Brian Meade also inspirational, Rathkenny deserved more for their effort. However, Seneschalstown dug deep. The evidence was provided by a number of players who fell to cramp late on. Seneschalstown had to work harder than they have done in years to secure this win, but it was merited because they were a marginally classier outfit.
The quality of football was very poor. There were too few flowing moves with much of the play punctuated by fouls and delaying tactics. All that served to deliver a fractured semi-final that will do little to boost Seneschalstown’s belief ahead of the decider against Skryne. Seneschalstown persisted with the long ball into Joe Sheridan, but it failed to reap the rewards they expected. It was only when the Meath player traded places with Robert Ruddy that the champions started to enjoy some better fortune.
Ruddy’s lay-off to Brian Sheridan brought Seneschalstown level with 13 minutes remaining and he made a nuisance of himself around the square. Joe Sheridan made a decent impact at midfield and also helped out a stretched defence. That Seneschalstown defence was seriously tested in the early stages as Rathkenny raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead inside six minutes through Richie Timmons, Meade and Ivan Lenehan. Joe Sheridan fisted over from a tight angle to settle Seneschalstown, but Rathkenny should have pulled further clear when Colm Gore saw his low drive strike the butt of the post.
Joe Sheridan closed the gap to the minimum after 17 minutes, but again Rathkenny pushed forward and doubled their advantage with John Donegan lofting over. After Brian Sheridan missed a 20-metre free it was left to Joe Sheridan and Cormac Quinn to add points and ensure the sides were level for the first time, 0-4 each, at the break.
Meade edged Rathkenny ahead two minutes after the resumption, but when Damien Sheridan’s long free bounced over the crossbar the sides were tied again. Rathkenny looked to be heading for the winners enclosure when Timmons (two frees) and John Donegan inspired them to a 0-8 to 0-5 lead, but they failed to score again. Bryan Clarke started the Seneschalstown recovery from a ’45’ and they restored parity with points from Clarke and Brian Sheridan.
With 11 minutes remaining Brian Sheridan gave them the lead for the first time. James Conlon ran 60 metres before kicking a wonder point to seal the win for Seneschalstown, but Rathkenny refused to give up and pushed their more fancied opponents all the way before eventually running out of steam.
Rathkenny – J Martin; D Keoghan, J Macken, R Gore; D Donegan, T McKeever, M Macken; R Curtis, J Donegan (0-2); D McBride, B Meade (0-2, one free), D Curtis; C Gore, I Lenehan (0-1), R Timmons (0-3, frees). Subs – O Elliott for C Gore 48 mins, B Lenehan for Timmons 55m, T Rowan for McBride 57m.
Seneschalstown – D Lyons; J Byrne, P Carey, G Sheridan; G Conlon, J Cowley, S Sheridan; R Ruddy, C Quinn (0-1); D Sheridan (0-1, free), C Macken, S Finnegan; B Clarke (0-2, one ’45’), B Sheridan (0-2, one free), J Sheridan (0-3). Subs – A Gleeson for Finnegan 41 mins, J Conlon (0-1) for Macken 48m, S Clarke for Quinn 57m.
Referee – Joey Curley (Moynalty).
