Keegan Cup for Simonstown
Simonstown Gaels claimed the SFC Keegan Cup for the first time in front of a bumper crowd of some 6,000 supporters today against Donaghmore /Ashbourne at Pairc Tailteann where they won by an impressive 1-14 to 0-8.
Simonstown were in a good position at half-time with a 10-point lead and they went on to maintain the initiative in the second-half and give midfielder Conor Nash a rousing send off as he prepares to go to Australia in a fortnight to play Aussie Rules.
Simonstown were a point up after 10 seconds when Padraig McKeever sent over and by the end ofn the first minute Robbie Burlingham had saved a penalty from Andrew Tormet of Donaghmore / Ashbourne.
Simonstown remained in the ascendancy with further points from Conor Nash, Shane O'Rourke and McKeever to lead by 0-4 to 0-0 at the end of the first-quarter.
McKeever added three more points and Shane O'Rourkeand Conor Sheridan also sent over, but it was a sensational 23rd minute goal from Joe Lyons that helped Simonstown to a 1-8 to 0-2 interval lead.
Donaghmore / Ashbourne claimed first-half points from James Colgan and Conor Carey and while they improved in the second-half with points from Tormey (two), Michael Deegan (three) and Dylan Brady, it was a disappointing display from Donaghmore/Ashbourne.
Simonstown will play Rhode (Offaly) in the Leinster Club SFC in Tullamore in a fortnight.
Scorers: Simonstown - P McKeever 0-6; J Lyons 1-0; S O'Rourke 0-2; C Nash 0-2; S Kenny 0-1; C Sheridan 0-1; B McGrath 0-1; M Brennan 0-1.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne - M Deegan 0-3; A Tormey 0-2; C Carey 0-1; J Colgan 0-1; D Brady 0-1.
Simonstown Gaels - Robert Burlingham; Shane Gallagher, Niall McMahon, Stephen Moran; Brian McGrath, Brian Conlon, Niall Kane; Shane O'Rourke, Conor Nash; Joe Lyons, Seamus Kenny, Mark McCabe; Padraig McKeever, Conor Sheridan, Eanna Donoghue. Subs - Sean Tobin for Sheridan 40 mins, Brian McGrath for M O'Rourke 44m, Michael Brennan for Nash 50m, Shane Barry for Lyons 58m.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne - Jack Hannigan; Sean Curran, James Colgan, JP Casserly; Daragh McGovern, Thomas McGovern, Paul Gilligan; Conor Carey, David Morgan; Cathal Field, Michael Deegan, Conor Carton; Dylan Brady, Andrew Tormey, Bryan Menton. Subs - Eoin Riordan for Casserly 25 mins, Ciaran Ellis for Field and Cormac McGill for Morgan both half-time; Aidan Hughes for Carton 45 mins, Jack Giles for McGovern 48m, Shane Melia for Gilligan 56m.
Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's).