Wolfe Tones 1-13
Seneschalstown 0-11

Cian Ward scored ten points as Wolfe Tones proved too good for Seneschalstown in the second hoganstand.com SFC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday to book a decider date with Navan O'Mahonys.

Wolfe Tones were never headed as they secured a repeat of the 2006 final pairing that led to their first SFC success.

Unlike the opening game on the card, the lead never changed hands with Stephen Sheppard's sixth minute goal giving Paddy Martin's men a lead they would never cash in.

Wolfe Tones had moved seven points clear before Brian Sheridan got Seneschalstown off the mark. Dermot Smith's men got to within four points of the men in purple and yellow on two occasions, but no better.

A quartet of Brian Sheridan frees in a row left just four points in it heading into the final ten minutes. But that was as good as it got for Seneschalstown.

Substitute Paul Byrne completed the scoring for the 'Tones with the hour almost up while Seneschalstown's Mark Carey was sent off near the end.

Seneschalstown might have got in for a fourth minute goal. However Wolfe Tones' 'keeper David Nolan was equal to Joe Sheridan's flick from his brother Brian's delivery.

The 'Tones were more clinical moments later when Stephen Sheppard fired low to the net at the motorway end of with Mark Coleman providing the assist.

Cian Ward landed two frees as the opening quarter progressed with the tide flowing toward the old swimming pool end of the ground.

As a mist began to fall on the county ground, the Tones extended their lead to seven points, 1-4 to 0-0, through Cian Ward (free) and Niall McLoughlin with 16 minutes gone.

It could have got even better for the 'Tones but for a block by Seneschalstown full-back Andrew Collins on Cian Ward's effort.

Having waited nearly 19 minutes for their first score, Seneschalstown posted two in quick succession from Brian and Damien Sheridan.

Joe Sheridan got off the mark shortly after to leave just four points between the sides. It was Cian Ward's turn to land his fourth free of the half, this time from the 45-metre line but out on the left.

When Wolfe Tones' top scorer pointed from play it was 1-6 to 0-3. Points from Stephen Finnegan and Brian Sheridan (free) improved the complexion of the scoreboard for the Yellow Furze side.

Things got even better for Dermot Smith's charges when David Hosie pointed from play and just a goal separated the sides.

Cian Ward's second point from play was followed by a similar score from Darren McGrath with Fiachra Ward providing the assist. The 'Tones only first-half wide (Seneschalstown had two) was registered in the last action of the half when Cian Ward sent a 45 from out on the right to the left of the posts.

Cian Ward landed two frees within three minutes of the resumption from opposite sides of the pitch. Good work by Andrew Collins prevented the game's top scorer from finding his younger brother in front of the posts.

A fine save, low down with his legs, by David Nolan prevented Brian Sheridan from netting a goal that would have cut the gap to four points with 35 minutes gone.

The youngest of the three Sheridan brothers pointed a free before missing the target with another. As the rain got heavier Cian Ward added another placed ball to leave it 1-11 to 0-7. He brought his tally into double figures with the next score in the 42nd minute.

Wolfe Tones - D. Nolan; R. Brady, C. McLoughlin, D. Coleman; N. McLoughlin (0-1), E. Harrington, S. Glynn; S. Corrigan, A. Callaghan; A. Fox, S. Sheppard (1-0), M. Coleman; D. McGrath (0-1), C. Ward (0-10, 6fs), F. Ward. Subs - P. Byrne (0-1) for McGrath (43), A. McKeown for Glynn (52), C. Blayney for M. Coleman (58).

Seneschalstown - D. Lyons; J. Byrne, A. Collins, G. Sheridan; M. Carey, C. Noonan, N. Groome; D. Sheridan (0-1), R. Ruddy; A. Gleeson, J. Sheridan (0-1), S. Finnegan (0-1); D. Hosie (0-1), B. Sheridan (0-7, 6fs), C. Macken. Subs - P. Carey for Byrne (8), N. Lyons for Macken (24), D. Matthews for Collins (44), S. Clarke for Hosie (52), J. Conlon for Gleeson (54).

Referee - B. Darby (Ballinabrackey). Tweet

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