Feis Cup: Clarke's hat-trick sees Seneschalstown retain title

October 13, 2008

Seneschalstown captain Damien Sheridan raises the Feis Cup
Having looked a beaten docket approaching the interval in extra time, Seneschalstown conjured up an impressive finale to retain the Feis Cup with three points to spare over Dunboyne in Sunday's curtain-raiser at Pairc Tailteann. Seneschalstown 4-15 Dunboyne 2-18 after extra time Brian Clarke finished with 3-3 to his name including a brace of goals in the additional 20 minutes that ensured the Yellow Furze side had something to celebrate in a disappointing year by lifting the Feis Cup for the sixth time. With Stephen Moran leading the way in attack Dunboyne looked set for a third Feis Cup success when 2-16 to 2-11 to the good approaching half-time in extra time. Moran accounted for 1-9, half of his side's total, but Dunboyne shipped a heavy blow in stoppage time at the end of the first period of extra time when Clarke got in for his second goal and just a single point, 3-12 to 2-16 separated the sides heading into the final ten minutes of action. When the star of last year's SFC final replay got his third goal five minutes into the second period of extra time, incredibly Damien Sheridan's men had regained the upper hand, 4-13 to 2-17. A Sean McGarrell point pared the margin back to the minimum again but Seneschalstown closed the deal with points from Joe Sheridan and Brian Clarke (45). Declan Mahon men made the early running and were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after 11 minutes. Seneschalstown found their feet and went in at the break leading by 1-6 to 0-6 after Brian Clarke opened his goal account in first-half stoppage time. Within seconds of the restart Clarke repeated the feat before extending his side's advantage from a '45' to leave it 2-7 to 0-6. The introduction of Gerry Gallagher lifted Dunboyne and after 41 minutes David Clarke netted and the gap was down to three points. After Seneschalstown wasted opportunities to put some daylight between the sides, Dunboyne regained the lead, 2-8 to 2-7, with a Moran goal to set up an exciting finale. The lead changed hands on two further occasions before a Paul Fagan point looked to have secured the Feis Cup for Dunboyne. However, Seneschalstown skipper Damien Sheridan had the last say to tie the scores, at 2-11 each, after 60 minutes. Five points on the spin put Dunboyne in driving seat in the first period of extra time but they were unable to recover from the double-whammy either side of the break in the additional 20 minutes. Seneschalstown - D. Geraghty; W. Smith, A. Collins, S. Sheridan (0-1); M. Carey (0-2), J. Cowley, C. Gleeson; B. Sheridan (0-5, 4 frees), D. Sheridan (0-1); G. Conlon, C. Macken, S. Clarke (0-2, frees); S. Finnegan, J. Sheridan (1-1), B. Clarke (3-3, 0-2 45s, 0-1 free). Subs - T. Ledwidge for Finnegan (56 mins), I. Carroll for Conlon (69 mins), C. Ruddy for S. Clarke (70 mins). Dunboyne - J. O'Connor; J. Moffatt, D. Gallagher, S. McKenna; P. Fagan (0-1), S. Hogan, G. Watters (0-2, 1 free); C. Berrigan, S. McGarrell (0-3); D. Clarke (1-0), A. O'Connor (0-1), E. Dolan; Denis Gallagher (0-2), C. O'Donoghue, S. Moran (1-9, 0-8 frees). Subs - G. Gallagher for Dolan (39 mins), P. Watters for A. O'Connor (77 mins), M. Convey for Fagan (80 mins). Referee - J. Farrelly (Syddan).

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