Seneschalstown 2-08 Wolfe Tones 1-08

Seneschalstown will face Portlaoise in the AIB Leinster Club Championship quarter-final at O’Moore Park on Sunday next.

Damien Sheridan’s charges emerged 2-08 to 1-08 winners over Wolfe Tones following last nights Meath Senior Football Final replay.

Cóilín Duffy spoke to midfielder and Meath Senior star Joe Sheridan after his sides three-point win on Thursday night in Navan

8,000 spectators watched on as Seneschalstown captured their second Meath SFC title in three years, thanks to a three-point replay victory over 14-man Wolfe Tones last night.

In bizarre scenes before the throw-in for the second half referee Joey Curley immediately headed for the Wolfe Tones goalmouth showing their goalkeeper David Nolan a straight red card.

Earlier as the teams entered the dressing rooms at the interval one of the Seneschalstown players had been dumped to the ground following an altercation.

It was a game which saw a Wolfe Tones side who were chasing only their second title; dominate possession in the opening stages.

However the Gaeltacht side failed to take their scoring chances with five wides in the opening quarter, with the sides tied at 0-01 apiece at this stage.

Meath Senior star Brian Sheridan opened Seneschalstown’s account in the fifth minute, but Cian Ward’s 14th minute penalty effort blazed over the crossbar.

It was a ninety-second goalscoring spree which paved the way for a Seneschalstown victory with brothers Brian and Joe Sheridan netting quick-fire goals.

Joe was involved in both three-pointers, firstly in picking out his brother Brian from a sideline kick, and then in pushing Seneschalstown into a seven-point lead following a second goal..

Points from Joe Sheridan and Gary Conlon pushed Seneschalstown into a 2-04 to 0-01 lead by the 22nd minute.

However Wolfe Tones rallied before the interval as scores from Darren McGrath and Shane Corrigan cut the deficit at the break.

The third quarter saw both teams trade point-for-point with Cian Ward taking both of Wolfe Tones scores, with Brian Sheridan and Robert Ruddy on target for Seneschalstown.

However Wolfe Tones cut the deficit to a goal by the 52nd minute thanks to the sustained efforts of Ward who added 1-01 to his sides tally, with his goal arriving eight minutes from time.

This game was on a knife-edge in the closing stages as both sides hunger for the title reached fever pitch.

Scores were traded on two occasions in the final seven minutes with Wolfe Tones piling on most of the pressure.

However Seneschalstown held out for a much deserved win with Ciaran Macken lifting the cup after the game.

Scorers for Seneschalstown: B Sheridan 1-03; J Sheridan 1-02; S Clarke (1f), G Conlon, R Ruddy 0-01 each.

Scorers for Wolfe Tones: C Ward (4f, 1 45, 0-1pen) 1-06; D McGrath, S Corrigan 0-01 each

SENESCHALSTOWN: D Lyons; P Carey, A Collins, G Sheridan; M Carey, J Crowley, S Stephen; J Sheridan, D Sheridan; S Finnegan, C Macken, G Conlon; S Clarke, R Ruddy, B Sheridan. Subs: T Ledwidge for S Clarke (47); C Duffy for S Sheridan (53); B Clarke for Ruddy (57)

WOLFE TONES: D Nolan; R Brady, C McLoughlin, C Martin; B McGinn, E Harrington, G Beggy; S Sheppard, S Corrigan; D McGrath, N McLoughlin, M Coleman; A Fox, C Ward, P Byrne. Subs: S Power for McGrath (HT); A McKeown for C McLoughlin (34); A Callaghan for Byrne (42); J McKeown for Coleman (52)

REFEREE: Joey Curley