Yellow Furze labour to low-key win

SENESCHALSTOWN BALLINLOUGH 0-10 0-9

WITH unbeaten Seneschalstown already assured of top spot in Group A and Ballinlough destined for the relegation play-off, this final-round SFC tie was something of a dress rehearsal for the challenges ahead, under the bright lights of Castletown.

Seneschalstown will go into a quarter-final against either Donaghmore/Ashbourne or Dunshaughlin with an unblemished record following this fifth win on the trot.

As expected this was something of a low-key affair, with virtually nothing at stake, and it generated very little atmosphere or indeed revenue for the county board.

Seneschalstown started as if they wanted to put the game to bed early on, and by the eighth minute they had forged into a three-point lead following a brace of points from Bryan Clarke and a Brian Sheridan effort.

This early momentum stalled somewhat thereafter and was followed by a 14-minute scoreless spell during which time Ballinlough moved into a one-point lead. Kevin Devine showed that his radar was finely tuned in that period as he landed four frees in a row for the ‘Lough.

Brian Sheridan shot an equaliser as he converted a free following a foul on Joe Sheridan, before another pointed free from Devine nudged Ballinlough ahead once more on 24 minutes.

Adam Gleeson equalised a minute later when Brian Sheridan partially blocked down a Ballinlough kickout and Gleeson reacted quickest to the loose ball, exchanged a one-two with Jonathan Gilsenan and drove over. Seneschalstown went close to finding the net, but Bryan Clarke saw his goal effort strike the keeper’s legs and over the bar.

There was still time for one more score before the break as Ballinlough full forward Tommy McCullen became only his side’s second scorer and their first from play when he pointed in added time to leave the sides tied at 0-6 apiece.

Just like in the opening period, Seneschalstown were first to register a score in the second half when Johnny Gilsenan popped over a point.

Ballinlough’s response was impressive as they kicked the next two points courtesy of a brace of Devine frees.

A Bryan Clarke point drew Seneschalstown level once more, but Ballinlough responded well when their centre back Lorcan Maguire drove over a ‘45.

A long-range point from Joe Sheridan regained parity and the only other score of the final quarter, a point from Clarke, proved to be the match-winner.