Sheridan goals give Seneschalstown the glory

BROTHERS Brian and Joe Sheridan kicked Seneschalstown to their second Meath SFC title in three seasons at Páirc Tailteann last night.

All Star nominee Joe and fellow Meath forward Brian hit the vital goals in a decisive 60-second burst midway through the first half.

On a night of family fortunes, a third Sheridan brother, midfielder Damien, was named man of the match while Damien Sheridan Senior led them on the sideline.

The 2007 champions needed an 83rd-minute leveller to force this replay when the sides drew 1-13 to 1-13 last Sunday. But true to their manager’s claim, Seneschalstown delivered at the second attempt. They now face Portlaoise in Sunday’s Leinster SFC quarter-final.

Tones will rue a number of early wides with county star Cian Ward, despite hitting 1-6 overall, wasting a gilt-edged free and skewing a penalty over the bar.

Ward redeemed himself with 1-5 in the second half which helped reduce Tones’ arrears to three points on a number of occasions.

But they couldn’t get any closer than that and were hampered by the half-time dismissal of goalkeeper David Nolan for a lunge at Joe Sheridan a – he was red carded upon the resumption of play.

Tones did conjure up early scoring chances. But with Ward unable to take advantage, the sides remained level at 0-1 apiece.

Shane Clarke converted a 16th minute free that kick-started Seneschalstown’s scoring blitz which yielded 2-1 in just three minutes.

Joe drove in a sideline kick that younger brother Brian, rushing goalwards, met with a stunning fist to the net.

From the resulting kick-out Damien Sheridan Jnr claimed possession and picked out Joe who shook off two men and blasted to the net.

At half-time Tones trailed 0-3 to 2-4 and received another hammer blow when Nolan saw red.

Tones rallied through Ward’s 1-5 after the break, but Seneschalstown kept them at bay with timely scores from Brian Sheridan and Mark Carey.

SENESCHALSTOWN: D Lyons; P Carey, A Collins, G Sheridan; M Carey (0-1), J Cowley, S Sheridan; J Sheridan (1-2), D Sheridan; S Finnegan, C Macken, G Conlon (0-1); S Clarke (0-1; 1f), R Ruddy (0-1), B Sheridan (1-2).

Subs: T Ledwidge for Clarke (48), C Duffy for S Sheridan (54), B Clarke for Ruddy (68).

WOLFE TONES: D Nolan; R Brady, C McLoughlin, C Martin; B McGinn, E Harrington, G Beggy; S Sheppard, S Corrigan (0-1); D McGrath (0-1), N McLoughlin, M Coleman; A Fox, C Ward (1-6; 1p, 4f, 1 45), P Byrne.

Subs: S Power for McGrath (h/t), A McKeown for McLoughlin (35), A Callaghan for Byrne (43), J McKeown for Coleman (52).

Referee: J Curley (Moynalty).