Seneschalstown best in thriller

Seneschalstown appear to have developed a liking for extra-time in the Feis Cup as they retained the trophy in dramatic style at the expense of Dunboyne at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. They required extra-time to negotiate Dunshaughlin in the semi-final and again on Sunday they were happy to capitalise on a normal time reprieve when the sides finished at 2-11 apiece with Damien Sheridan"s injury-time point drawing the sides level. After eight of the first 10 minutes of extra-time it looked bleak for Seneschalstown"s chances. Dunboyne sent over unanswered points from Stephen Moran and Sean McGarrell (two each) and Gary Watters. There was only a minute remaining in the half when Mark Carey"s point got them on the scoreboard, but by the interval they had reduced the deficit to the minimum, 3-12 to 2-16, after Brian Clarke rifled a tremendous shot to the net. While the finish was good, the pass that created the opportunity was superb with Damien Sheridan lofting a long centre into the square from way out on the wing. After the sides traded early points in the second period of extra-time, Seneschalstown got in for a crucial fourth goal when Clarke raced clear from the 20-metre line and beat Dunboyne custodian Johnny O"Connor. Close to the end, Seneschalstown substitute Conor Ruddy was denied a certain goal when Dunboyne"s Stephen McKenna averetd the danger, but by that time it was only of cosmetic benefit. The game developed in two similar patterns as it built up slowly to an exciting conclusion with both teams enduring barren spells on the scorebaord. Dunboyne dictated the early exchanges on the scoreboard and were ahead by 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter. However, they only managed one point from play during that period when Aidan O"Connor split the posts in the 11th minute. That augmented three Moran efforts and a well-taken Gary Watters free, but they drew a blank for the remainder of the half. Stephen Sheridan opened Seneschalstown"s account in the seventh minute and the 2007 champions gradually whittled away the the deficit. Unanswered points from Brian Sheridan (three), Shane Clarke and Mark Carey eased Seneschalstown into the lead until another Stephen Moran free ended Dunboyne"s 18-minute barren spell and drew the sides level. Parity scarcely lasted a minute before Seneschalstown"s Colin Gleeson embarked on a solo raid and found Joe Sheridan on the edge of the Dunboyne square for a goal and a 1-6 to 0-6 interval advantage. Within 10 seconds of the resumption Clarke added a second Seneschalstown goal and followed with a point from a '45" and then they drew a blank for 20 minutes. Dunboyne got back into contention with goals from David Clarke and Moran. When substitute Paul Fagan sent over a minute into injury-time, it looked like the old trophy, which was first presented to Rathkenny in 1920, would be making the journey to Dunboyne for only the third time in its history. Then, Damien Sheridan intervened with a superb individual point from play which forced that extra-time. SCORERS Seneschalstown - B Clarke 3-3, one free, one '45"; B Sheridan 0-5, four frees; J Sheridan 1-1; S Clarke 0-2, two frees; M Carey 0-2; S Sheridan 0-1, free; D Sheridan 0-1. Dunboyne - S Moran 1-9, seven frees; D Clarke 1-0; S McGarrell 0-2; G Watters 0-2, one free; Denis Gallagher 0-2; S Hogan 0-1, A O"Connor 0-1; P Fagan 0-1. THE TEAMS Seneschalstown - David Geraghty; Wayne Smith, Andrew Collins, Stephen Sheridan; Mark Carey, Joe Cowley Colin Gleeson; Brian Sheridan, Damien Sheridan; Gary Conlon, Ciaran Macken, Shane Clarke; Stephen Finnegan, Joe Sheridan, Brian Clarke. Subs - Tommy Ledwidge for Finnegan 55 mins; Ian Carroll for Conlon 68m; Conor Ruddy for S Clarke 70m. Dunboyne - Johnny O"Connor; Jimmy Moffett, David Gallagher, Stephen McKenna; Paul Fagan, Stephen Hogan, Gary Watters; Craig Berrigan, Sean McGarrell; David Clarke, Aidan O"Connor, Eoin Dolan; Denis Gallagher, Conor O"Donohoe, Stephen Moran. Subs - Gerry Gallagher for Dolan 38 mins; Paul Watters for Hogan 76m; Mark Convey for Fagan 79m. REFEREE John Farrelly (Syddan)