Match Report
Senior Championship
Sat 3rd Jun Ballinlough 1-8 Seneschalstown 2-17
Seneschalstown got off the mark at the third attempt in Group B of the Commons Hardware SFC with their expected win over Ballinlough at Bohermeen on Saturday evening but their total of 20 wides will be a matter of some concern to the Yellow Furze side.
Match Report
Senior Championship
Sat 3rd Jun Ballinlough 1-8 Seneschalstown 2-17
Seneschalstown got off the mark at the third attempt in Group B of the Commons Hardware SFC with their expected win over Ballinlough at Bohermeen on Saturday evening but their total of 20 wides will be a matter of some concern to the Yellow Furze side.
Padraig Coyle’s charges came into this fixture on the back of narrow defeats to both Trim and Walterstown but on this occasion they were never seriously threatened by a game but limited Ballinlough side that had previously scored a shock win over Skryne before losing heavily to champions Dunboyne.
Seneschalstown played some neat football at times and were a class above their opponents but their wastefulness left the door slightly ajar for Ballinlough until the winners posted seven unanswered points in the final ten minutes.
Despite being red-carded last Sunday at Croke Park, Peader Byrne was eligible for this fixture and his presence ensured Ballinlough had some semblance of interest in this fixture until that final quarter fade out.
Teenager Brian Sheridan led the way for Seneschalstown with seven points (three frees) while eight of his team mates also got on the scoresheet, including two members of the half-back line, both midfielders and the pair of substitutes used. Conditions at Sean Newman Park were ideal as the slight haze ensured the sunlight didn’t impact on the goalkeepers or defenders.
Brian Clarke had Seneschalstown in front within 45 seconds of the off and after Joe Sheridan doubled their advantage Padraig Ryan pulled a point back for Ballinlough following good work by Peader Byrne, Vinny Ryan and midfielder Derek Muldoon.
The latter was the first of four players yellow carded by referee Donal Smyth, receiving the sanction two minutes in for a foul on Graham Geraghty.
Listed at corner-forward, the county star operated in a deep role and swept up an amount of ball. He also picked up a yellow card in the run up to half time for objecting to the award of a penalty to Ballinlough when Cian Mallon was grounded by Stephen Finnegan.
The Seneschalstown netminder was similarly sanctioned for conceding the penalty which was driven high and hard to the net by Muldoon, to leave it 2-7 to 1-5 to the team in blue and gold at the break.
Midfielder Robert Ruddy put his name to Seneschalstown’s first goal after 22 minutes while Joe Sheridan fisted their second six minutes later.
Within 15 seconds of the restart the margin was down to four points with Peader Byrne, operating at centre forward, placed his brother Seamus who sent over
When Ballinlough defender Karl O’Reilly found the range in the 48^th minute, only five points separted the sides, 1-8 to 2-10, but Seneschalstown kicked on to emphasise the gulf in class between the sides.
Seneschalstown : S. Finnegan; S. Sheridan, C. Quinn, J. Byrne; C. Clarke, M. Carey (0-1), A. McCann (0-1); D. Sheridan (0-1), R. Ruddy (1-0); J. Cowley (0-1), J. Sheridan (1-1), G. Conlon; G. Geraghty, B. Clarke (0-3), B. Sheridan (0-7, 3 frees). Subs : C. Macken (0-1) for Conlon (half-time), D. Byrne (0-1) for Ruddy (35 mins).
Ballinlough : B. Balfe; D. Reilly, J. Byrne, K. O’Reilly (0-1); J. O?Keeffe, K. Devine, V. Ryan; D. Muldoon (1-2, 1-0 penalty), S. Byrne (0-2); P. Ryan (0-1), Cian Mallon, B. Smith (0-1); Colm Mallon, P. Byrne (0-1), L. Maguire. Sub : C. Maguire for O’Keeffe (52 mins).
Referee : D. Smyth (O’Mahonys).
