Joe show ensures Cilles heartbreak
Sen’ch’town Colmcille’s 1-14 1-13
JOE SHERIDAN has broken many a heart throughout his career and St Colmcille’s were added to the list in this SFC tie at Stamullen on Sunday evening.
Joe stepped up to the mark in impressive style as he fired over a sensational winning point in the fifth minute of added time of this gripping encounter.
Both sides had earlier spurned chances to record what would be a precious victory before Sheridan gained possession out along the right wing, made tracks towards the Colmcille’s posts and split the posts with an effort worthy of winning any game.
The victory leaves Seneschalstown with a winner-take-all in their final group match against O’Mahony’s, who also have two wins from their four outings to date.
This latest setback for St Colmcille’s must have been a hard pill to swallow and they were somewhat unfortunate not to have at least forced a draw. However they had no answer to the aerial power of Sheridan who shot some exquisite points throughout and ended with a personal tally of six.
Not only that, he tormented the Cille’s defence throughout and also provided the final pass for his side’s opening score, a goal from Bryan Clarke after eight minutes.
That goal came in response to points from Graham Reilly and James Conlon. Full forward Conlon was on target with three points in that opening half, but with Clarke adding four points to his goal and Sheridan contributing three, Seneschalstown led 1-7 to 0-5 at the break.
Cille’s might have had a goal in that opening half as Graham Reilly was unfortunate to see a blistering shot rebound off the Seneschalstown crossbar with keeper David Lyons beaten on 18 minutes.
Two Reilly points closed the gap within two minutes of the re- start and Cille’s bright start to the second half continued as Conor O’Byrne got in on the scoring act before Reilly eventually found the net on 39 minutes to level the sides lat 1-8 each.
The game remained evenly poised from there to the final whistle, with the sides level again on five different occasions.
A converted free from James Conlon edged St Colmcille’s ahead at the three quarter-way stage and they regained the lead again when Cathal Hilliard pointed on 50 minutes.
Twice in the closing stages midfielder Conor O’Byrne shot equalising points in response to scores from Damien and Joe Sheridan.
That final score from O’Byrne arrived on 60 minutes and seemed sufficient to give his side a share of the spoils, but big Joe had other ideas. SENESCHALSTOWN: REFEREE: