Dillon salvages a share of spoils for Syddan

Syddan St Michaels 2-16 2-16

AFTER leading by nine points in the early stages of the second half Syddan were forced to come from behind to salvage a draw in this high scoring IFC tie at Meath Hill on Saturday evening.

Substitute Brian Dillon kicked the equalising point from a free in the third added minute for Syddan who were down to 14 from the 39th minute following the dismissal of Paddy Farrelly.

The sending off proved a game changer as Syddan went 28 minutes without a score.

Syddan recovered from the concession of a goal in the opening minute, scored by Oran Meehan, to dominate the remainder of the half and deservedly lead 2-11 to 1-7 at the break.

Their opening goal arrived from full forward Gary Farrelly on 12 minutes and it left them leading 1-4 to 1-0. Padraig Dillon accounted for the second goal on the approach to half-time to give Syddan a comfortable lead at the break.

Points from Kevin Traynor and Ryan Summersby stretched the lead within two minutes of the restart. Syddan were ahead by seven when Farrelly was shown a straight red card.

Ciaran Lynch kick-started the St Michael’s revival with a point and then Meehan struck for his side’s second goal.

Points from Davy Lynch and Shane McCormack (two) had the sides’ level by the 52nd minute. St Michael’s were in the ascendancy at that stage and they went ahead when Ciaran Lynch pointed. The same player doubled the Carlanstown side’s advantage by the 58th minute.

The clock had ticked over the hour mark when Michael Fedigan converted a free for Syddan. Then in the final action substitute Dillon lofted over a free from long range to level. SYDDAN: Peter Sheehy; Mark Fedigan, Ronan Mooney, Kevin Garland; Ryan Summersby 0-1, Andrew Garland, Jack Reid; Sean Clare, Kevin Traynor 0-2; Michael Fedigan 0-5 (3f), Graham Garland 0-1, Paddy Farrelly 0-1; Cormac Rowe 0-1, Gary Farrelly 1-3 (2f), Padraic Dillon 1-1. Subs: Cormac Rafferty for G Farrelly, Stephen Tallon for K Garland, Brian Dillon 0-1f for A Garland.

ST MICHAEL’S: Darren O’Connell; Ciaran O’Reilly, Sam Briody, Daithi O’Reilly; Paddy Clarke, Christopher Drew 0-1, Ben Reilly; David Lynch 0-2, Matthew Halpin; Oran Meehan 2-1, Lee Morris, Ray Reilly 0-1; Shane McCormack 0-6 (5f), Shane McDonnell, Ciaran Lynch 0-5 (1f). Subs: Harry Dunne for C O’Reilly, Paddy Tobin for D O’Reilly, C Sheridan for R Reilly, C O’Reilly fore Morris.