Seneschalstown 3-12 Ballinabrackey 0-17

Seneschalstown made the long journey to Ballinabrackey on Saturday evening a fruitful one as they produced their best performance of the League thus far to record an impressive four point win over their south Meath hosts. A strong second quarter showing was the platform Seneschalstown needed to earn both points as Ballinabrackey came on strong around the three quarter mark which Seneschalstown were able to withstand.

Welcoming back a number of players, including Cian Commons and Colin Scanlon from the Meath Under 20’s, this was undoubtedly Seneschalstown’s strongest available panel of 2026.

Ballinabrackey did get off the mark quickest with the opening two points inside the opening four minutes before Eoin Finnegan kicked Seneschalstown’s first point two minutes later off his right foot from 30 metres out.

Brian Maguire was next on target after Ballinabrackey had their third point, with the wing back breaking through a number of tackles before flashing his shot over rather than under the crossbar.   However a two point free for the Bracks left them three to the good after eleven minutes.

From there until half time the game swung totally in Seneschalstown’s favour kickstarted with a slick hand passing move before Ryan Finnegan in the large square was fouled as he bore down on goal.   Referee Frank Scully came in with his arms outstretched and awarded a penalty. Up stepped captain Eoin Finnegan and he slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner.   A couple of minutes later Cian Commons launched over a two point effort from play to put Seneschalstown in front for the first time, it didn’t last long though as Ballinabrackey answered at the other end with a two point effort of their own from a free. This didn’t quash the momentum Seneschalstown were building and another patient move ended with Collie Scanlon popping a handpass over the top into the path of Eoin Finnegan and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net to put Seneschalstown 2-04 to 0-07 ahead after 19 minutes.

Two minutes later, Finnegan was tormenting the Bracks again as this time he found space on the edge of the arc to kick a two pointer from play. He was really enjoying himself in the second quarter as a move from Seneschalstown’s full back line went through the boot of Danny Waters and Alan Mulvany and ended up in the arms of Finnegan who gathered close to the ground. He managed to keep control and make space for himself to hoist over a superb point.

David Hosie’s side were really enjoying themselves at this point and a minute later Dylan Keating sold dummies to a couple of members of the Ballinabrackey defence before beautifully slicing over off the outside of his left boot to increase Seneschalstown’s lead out to seven points.

Their lead was five points at the break after Ballinabrackey clawed a couple back before the short whistle, leaving it 2-08 to 0-09.

Seneschalstown’s start to the second period, despite playing up the slope, was impressive. Alan Mulvany and Eoin Finnegan linked up along the right hand side of Seneschalstown’s attack with Mulvany finding himself unmarked as he came along the endline. He could have fisted over but he squared the ball to Cian Commons who checked back onto his right foot before finishing underneath the keeper to give Seneschalstown a commanding lead.

Seneschalstown knew that Ballinabrackey were always going to come at them strongly in the second half and they started chipping away at the deficit with a couple of points in the 35th and 37th minutes.   Éamon Finnegan added to the Seneschalstown buffer with a tidy point before the forty minute mark. Ballinabrackey once again notched up two points on the bounce as they looked to be gaining momentum. With five points between the sides just shy of the three quarter stage, a Seneschalstown kickout from James Meade went array and the Seneschalstown net minder suffered a nasty looking lower leg injury as he retreated towards goal. The Seneschalstown defence scrambled back and prevented Ballinabrackey from putting the ball in the net. However they did so illegally and Frank Scully awarded a second penalty at the clubhouse end, this time to the hosts while also reducing Seneschalstown to 14 men for ten minutes.

With the injury stricken Meade unable to continue Cathal Darby was called upon from the bench and his first job was to face the penalty. He sprung to his right to produce a brilliant stop before being quickest to the loose ball to win his side a free out. Despite Ballinabrackey getting a point when Seneschalstown gave the ball away, the penalty save proved to be a massive moment in the outcome.

Seneschalstown managed the black card period extremely well and were still two points up when something was said from the Ballinabrackey line while they were attacking and the ball was brought all the way up to the 20 metre line for a Seneschalstown free which Cian Commons knocked over. Seneschalstown defended the arc rather well in the second period not letting the home side get any two point shots away as Ballinabrackey did not score again until injury time but the last say went the way of Seneschalstown as Commons picked a great line to break through the Ballinabrackey defence to kick his second two pointer from play and ensure victory for his side as Seneschalstown also withstood eight minutes of injury time to pick up a victory after three consecutive defeats.

With Ballinabrackey winning both League and Championship meetings in 2025 between the sides, Seneschalstown will be hoping this victory will leave them in good stead when the sides meet again in August.

Seneschalstown: James Meade, Conor McDonnell, Woodley Nicholson, Ronan Conneely, Colin Scanlon, Niall Hickey, Brain Maguire (0-01), Darren O’Brien, Danny Waters, Ryan Finnegan, Cian Commons (1-05, 1tpf, 1tp, 1f), Alan Mulvany, Dylan Keating (0-01), Aran Carey, Eoin Finnegan (2-04, 1-00 pen, 1tp).

Subs: Éamon Finnegan (0-01), Cathal Darby, Donal Commons

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