Wolfe Tones ensured qualification to the knockout stages of the SFC and in doing so all but eliminated the holders from the competition. Wolfe Tones 1-12 Seneschalstown 1-7 In torrential rain both sides struggled to get scores early on with only an O'Neill fisted point and a Seneschalstown free on the board after 11 minutes. Tones did twice cut through Seneschalstown defence but Ward and Sheppard both had their efforts saved by the alert keeper. Byrne pointed superbly on 12 minutes for Tones who then had Richie Brady to thank for a last gasp block on a Joe Sheridan goal bound effort in the 13th minute. Fox who was giving the Seneschalstown defence a torrid time added a point but by the 25th minute Seneschalstown were back on level terms at three points apiece. Ward then after missing three earlier efforts pointed from a 55 metre free and a high ball into the danger area from Tiernan was broken down by Sheppard to the inrushing Fox who fisted to the net in the 28th minute. Ward again from long range pointed to send Tones in five up at the break. Frees were traded early in the second half but on 35 minutes Tones lost possession and Joe Sheridan gathered a long delivery and fired low to the net to bring the holders right back into contention. Ward again pointed from distance and on 45 minutes Niall McLoughlin pointed under pressure to give Tones a 1-08 to 1-04 lead. Two points from the men in blue and gold inside three minutes again closed the gap but following good work from Ward and Byrne set up Tiernan for a superb point on 53 minutes. Ward and Byrne added points as Seneschalstown chased the goal they needed but never looked like getting and in the final minute Ward pointed another free from an almost impossible position to secure the win. Best for Tones were Brady, Fox, Tiernan and Ward. Wolfe Tones - David Nolan; Richie Brady, C. McLoughlin, Aodhan McKeown; Barry McGinn, Eoghan Harrington, Darren McGrath; Stephen Corrigan, Stephen Sheppard; Alan Fox (1-01), John Tiernan (0-01), Niall McLoughlin (0-01); Paul Byrne (0-02), David O'Neill (0-01), Cian Ward (0-06). Sub - Gordon Beggy for O'Neill Tweet

Most Read Stories