SFC quarter-final: 14-man champions show their class with comeback
September 18, 2022
Wolfe Tones Cian Ward with Oisin Reilly Gaeil Colmcille during the Meath SFC quarter final at Pairc Tailteann
A man down for two-thirds of the match Wolfe Tones conjured up a spirited rally to overcome Gaeil Colmcille in the second SFC quater-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.
Wolfe Tones ........... 0-11
Gaeil Colmcille ........ 0-9
In arrears by 0-2 to 0-5 at half-time, the Keegan Cup holders outscored the Kells-side by 0-9 to 0-4 thereafter to claim a hard-earned but deserved win.
A shot at Summerhill is the reward for Michael McDermott's men who enhanced their standing with this performance.
It was all the more impressive because they lost Alan Callaghan to a 21st minute red card when they were a point in arrears.
Gaeil Colmcille led by four points twice in the third quarter. Gradually the champions eroded the deficit, trimming the deficit to the minimum through Saran O Fionnagain's 46th minute point.
The more composed Wolfe Tones took control in the final quarter as two Caolan Ward frees made it 0-11 to 0-8 with 57 minutes gone.
The champions had the momentum and Gaeil Colmcille never looked stemming that tide. From the 39th minute to the 60th Wolfe Tones posted seven points without reply.
Against that Gaeil Colmcille seemed unable to control the game, even when playing with the wind.
The dismissal of Wolfe Tones midfielder Alan Callaghan was the most notable feature of a cagey first-half. The 'Tones midfielder was sent off in the 21st minute after appearing to strike Gaeil Colmcille an opponent
Having conceeded the opening point to Saran O Fionnagain, Gaeil Colmcille responded positively, moving 0-3 to 0-1 clear by the 13th minute. The second of their trio of scores was from a free, from out on the right, converted by goalkeeper Barry Farrelly.
Brian Hanlon and Conal Courtney were Gaeil Colmcille's other scorers in the opening quarter. Wolfe Tones second and final score of the first-half came from a Cian Ward mark. The final point of the first-half was a peach, landed by centre-half-back Jonny Quigley.
Scorers: Wolfe Tones - Cian Ward 0-3 (one mark, one free); Saran O Fionnagain 0-3 (one mark); Stephen Sheppard 0-2; Caolan Ward 0-2 (fs); Thomas O'Reilly 0-1
Gaeil Colmcille - Brian Hanlon 0-2 (fs); Conal Courtney 0-2; Martin Barrett 0-1; Fionn Reilly 0-1; Jonny Quigley 0-1; Jordan Muldoon 0-1; Barry Farrelly 0-1 (f).
Wolfe Tones - Ciaran Gallagher; Brugach O Fionnagain, Shane Glynn, Adam O'Neill; Eanna O'Kelly Lynch, Daniel O'Neill, Conor Sheppard; Alan Callaghan, Padraic Diamond; Caolan Ward, Thomas O'Reilly, Stephen Sheppard; Oisin Martin, Saran O Fionnagain, Cian Ward. Subs - Tom Gavigan for C Ward (49), Niall O'Reilly for O'Kelly Lynch (51)
Gaeil Colmcille - Barry Farrelly; Adam Donnelly, Seamus Mattimoe, Jordan Muldoon; Barry Tormay, Jonny Quigley, James Reilly (c); Aaron Browne, Oisin Reilly; Adam Muldoon, Seanie Curran, Conal Courtney; Fionn Reilly, Martin Barrett, Brian Hanlon. Subs - Evan Sheridan for Mattimoe (55), Ryan Farnham for Curran (
Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's)
