Jim McEneaney hit two late points in extra-time to earn the Geraldines a second bite at the cherry against Naomh Olaf in yesterday’s Leinster Club IFC final at Drogheda.
The Louth player, who was only fit enough to come on as a substitute, was his side’s saviour on two occasions – firstly taking the game to extra-time before earning his side a replay at Parnell Park next Sunday after the game finished 2-9 to 1-12.
A David Byrne goal on two minutes had got the visitiors off to a flying start but Byrne then turned villain five minutes later when his error was seized upon by Glen Traynor who found the net to put the Gers 1-1 to 0-1 ahead.
Olaf’s responded well from this setback to take a 1-4 to 1-3 lead at the break, which was added to on the restart by Fergal McCann.
Traynor hit his second goal of the game on 32 minutes, however, to put the home side in front, with a 45 from McEneaney strengthening their advantage.
St Olaf’s responded with four points without reply to restore their two point lead but the sending off of Conor Haskins late on proved costly as late points from Traynor and McEneaney allowed the Gers to take the game to extra-time.
Eoin Kinsella and Shane O’Hanlon swapped scores in the first period of extra-time but the Sandyford men looked like they had the game in the bag when Kinsella and Simon Hickey fired over two early points on the restart.
However, McEneaney – whose dad Eamon is manager of the team – ensured these sides would have to do it all over again with a late 45 followed by a close range free.
Geraldines: N Cooney; S Watters, T Costello, T Hand; J Craven, G Hoey, K Pepper; M Rogers, S Reidy; S Thornton, J Breen (0-1), P Hoey; B Hamilton, S O’Hanlon (0-3, 45, f), G Traynor (2-1). Subs: S Callan for P Hoey, J McEneaney (0-4, 2 45, 2f) for S Watters, J Arrowsmith for S Thornton, D Hamill for B Hamilton.
There was no such joy for Hunterstown Rovers in their Leinster Club JFC final, however, as they went down to Kildare’s Two Mile House in Newbridge.
Talk of the Town 