The Irish Times - Friday, November 6, 2009

Sheridans the stars once again for Seneschelstown

MEATH SFC FINAL: SENESCHALSTOWN 2-8 WOLFE TONES 1-8: claimed the county title for the second time in three years when just holding out 14-man Wolfe Tones in the replayed final at Páirc Tailteann last night.

A scoring burst in the second quarter with the three Sheridan brothers prominent laid the foundations for the latest success.

Seneschalstown made light of the absence of injured forward Brian Clarke to storm into a nine-point advantage, after two goals in quick succession. Tones could have been ahead early on but Cian Ward was off target with two frees, before driving a penalty, awarded for a foul on himself, over the bar.

Shane Clarke had edged Seneschalstown into a 0-2 to 0-1 lead from a free before Brian Sheridan punched in the first goal following a sideline kick from brother Joe.

Then, from the kick-out, Joe Sheridan received a delivery from another sibling, Damien, to fire an unstoppable shot past David Nolan. The scoreboard read 2-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Tones received another big blow on the restart when goalkeeper David Nolan was shown a straight red card by referee Joey Curley before the ball was thrown in for a heavy challenge on Joe Sheridan after the half-time whistle.

Tones got right back into contention with Ward firing in their goal on 52 minutes, but Seneschalstown held out and will now meet Portlaoise in the Leinster quarter-final this Sunday in Portlaoise.

SENESCHALSTOWN: D Lyons; P Carey, A Collins, G Sheridan; M Carey (0-1), J Cowley, S Sheridan; J Sheridan (1-2), D Sheridan; G Conlon (0-1), C Macken, S Finnegan; R Ruddy (0-1), B Sheridan (1-2), S Clarke (0-1, free). Subs: T Ledwidge for Clarke (48 mins), C Duffy for S Sheridan (53 mins), B Clarke foe Ruddy (57 mins).

WOLFE TONES: D Nolan; R Brady, C McLoughlin, C Martin; B McGinn, E Harrington, S Sheppard; S Corrigan (0-1), G Beggy; D McGrath (0-1), N McLoughlin, M Coleman; A Fox, C Ward (1-6, five frees, one 45), P Byrne. Subs: S Power for McGrath (half-time), A McKeown for C McLoughlin (35 mins), A Callaghan for Byrne (44 mins), J mcKeown for Coleman (53 mins)

Referee: J Curley (Moynalty).