Simonstown into knock-out phase

Keegan Cup holders Simonstown Gaels secured their place in the knock-out phase of the SFC at Páirc Tailteann this afternoon with a thoroughly deserved 0-12 to 0-7 victory over former two in-a-row champions Navan O'Mahonys.

This contest put the top two teams in Meath for the last three years in opposition in a crucial tie, but the standard of football wasn't of the exciting variety with O'Mahonys playing numbers behind the ball in a tactial game that frustrated their neighbours – at times.

Marcus Brennan was the stand out O'Mahonys man with an exceptional performance between the posts and that reflects the pattern of the game. Simonstown failed to find the net from about half a dozen good chances.

However, that won't concern manager Colm O'Rourke at this satge and now with qualification secure and Blackhall Gaels in the next round, there will be no pressure on the champions.

For O'Mahonys, they will have to plan without Niall McKeige for the survival battle with Seneschalstown – McKeigue picked up a straight red card on 60 minutes.

Simonstown were ahead by 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval today as a four-point haul from Sean Tobin kept them ticking over.

They doubled their tally in the second-half with Mark McCabe scoring the 'point of the game' near the end. One point from play in that second-half for O'Mahonys reflected the overall team performance.

In the other game this afternoon in the Group, Moynalvey defeated Blackhall Gaels by 3-14 to 1-10 while the final game will take place this evening at Stamullen when Seneschalstown face St Colmcille's.

The Meath Chronicle will have updates from Stamullen on Twitter and some Facebook live action of the closing stages.

NEXT UP

Tonight - Seneschalstown v St Colmcille's.

Fifth round -

Seneschalstown v Navan O'Mahonys;

Moynalvey v St Colmcille's;

Simonstown v Blackhall Gaels.

 

TABLE

                   P  W  D  L Pts

Simonstown 4  4  0  0  8

Moynalvey   4  3  0  1  6

O'Mahonys 4  2  0  2   4

Sentown      3 1  0  2  2

St Colmcille's 3 0  1  2  1

Blackhall       4  0  1 3 1 

SEE SOME ACTION FROM THE CLOSING STAGES IN NAVAN