Tailteann Cup final: Dramatic finale secures silverware for St Ultan's

August 17, 2019

Jason Bennett St. Ultans with Eric Callaghan St. Vincents during the Tailteann Cup final at Pairc Tailteann

Sub Conor Smyth's stoppage time goal snatched the Tailteann Cup for St Ultan's from St Vincent's grasp at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening. To view photos from this game click here 

St Ultan's ............ 1-9
St Vincent's ......... 0-10


Smyth finished a Gearoid Rennicks's tree to the net at the old swimming pool end in the fifth minute of added time to settle matters

St Vincent's looked set to triumph having put in a huge third quarter to hit the front for the first time through a Nigel Hand free in the 35th minute.

Ominously for the Ardcath men they managed just three points over the rest of the game. However, the elements weren't as strong as they were in the opening half. 

Nigel Hand's accuracy from placed balls kept the Ronan Kearns-side in front, but they never managed to move more than two points clear. 

Mark Allen's 59th minute free left St Ultan's just a point in arrears in final of the competition for junior football teams 

When David Tallon turned Darren Mallon's goal attempt out for a 45 that brought no benefit to the chasing side, it looked as it the cup was Ardcath bound. 
rain-bearing clouds close by 

In the first-half St Ultan's were backed by a strong win blowing towards the town goal.

It took St Ultan's less than 30 seconds to open the scoring with Mark Allen sending over from the open terrace side. 

Gearoid Rennicks added two points for 'Ultan's (one free) either side of Richard O'Sullivan's opener for last year's JFC runners-up. 

The first goal chance for St Ultan's arrived in the 13th minute when Tadhg Ratty's close range effort was turned out for a 45 by St Vincent's 'keeper Evan Connor. 

The resultant 45 proved fruitless for the Bohermeen-parish side

A second Rennicks' free followed a similar score from Allen move St Ultan's four clear by the 24th minute left the wind-assisted side 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. 

As St Ultan's wide count mounted - it reached six by half-time - St Vincent's pulled two points back before the break. First , wing-back Conor Harford scored before Thomas Field pointed in the third minute of added time.

With wind advantage to come, St Vincent's appeared to be in a good position at half-time when trailing 0-3 to 0-6.

The Ardcath side posted three points within five minute of the second-half to tie the scores for the first tie the scores for the first time through Patrick McGill.

Then St Vincent's hit the front for the first time, in the 35th minute, when Nigel Hand pointed a free

Before the start a minute's silence was observed in memory of former Meath and St Vincent's player Mick Dunican who died during the week. 

St Ultan's - Keith Hennessy; Robbie Dolan (0-1), Luke O'Reilly, Jason Bennett; Declan Ball, Declan Galligan, Martin Dolan; Paul Murray, Cian McBride; Tadgh Ratty, Kevin Galligan (0-1), Emmett Costello; Mark Allen (0-3, 2f), Ronan Breslin, Gearoid Rennicks (0-4, 3fs). Subs -  Darren Mallon for Costello (ht), Conor Smyth (1-0) for Galligan (44), Garry Gorman for Ratty (54).

St Vincent's - Evan Connor; Ciaran Brangan, David Tallon (JC), Ryan Hand; Barry O'Sullivan (JC), Niall Tallon, Conor Harford (0-1); Robert Tallon, Eric Callaghan (0-1); Eoghan Corry, Thomas Field (0-1), Leo Corry; Patrick McGill (0-1), Nigel Hand (0-5, 4fs), Richard O'Sullivan (0-1). Subs - Jack Byrne for L Corry (47), Patrick Arnold for R O'Sullivan (51)Robert Lynch for E Callaghan (56), 

Referee - Pat Clarke (Seneschalstown)


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