Simonstown secure another final ticket

Defending Keegan Cup champions Simonstown Gaels negotiated a tricky semi-final assignemnt at Páirc Tailteann today with a 4-9 to 1-13 victory over neighbours and local rivals Wolfe Tones.

Tones manager Tony Kearney will view this result as an opportunity missed for a team that 12 months ago had to go through the relegation play-offs to preserve their status.

For his oppositie number, Colm O'Rourke, there was the relief of securing a second successive SFC final ticket aware that his panel of players can find some improvement to take into the decider against Summerhill or Gaeil Colmcille.

Goals made the difference for Simonstown when they were in danger of losing touch and they went in at the interval with a 3-4 to 1-6 advantage despite trailing by three points two minutes before the break.

Tones had an impressive look about them during the opening half and had what appeared a blatant penalty appeal ignored by referee Patrick Nelis in the 15th minute.

Fiachra Ward seemed certain to find the net, but after a tussle the referee resumed play with a throw-in on the 20-metre line as the sides ended the opening quarter at 1-2 apiece with Niall McLoughlin netting for Tones and Mark McCabe replying for the Gaels. 

McCabe and Conor Sheridan had the Simonstown points with Niall O'Reilly and Thomas O'Reilly sending over for the Tones.

Cian Ward (free), Thomas O'Reilly, McLoughlin and Padraig Diamond added points as Tones took a grip of the game and all Simonstown could muster was a Sheridan point as the clock ticked towards 30 minutes.

Then, that goal-blitz revived Simonstown. McCabe and Nathan O'Brien, who also pointed, netted and the Gaels maintained the momentum after the resumption with quick points from O'Brien and a brace by Sean Tobin (one free).

Tones sent on Sean Power for goalie David Nolan (injured) and the deputy custodian made two superb saves as Simonstown took control.

However, the Tones kept battling and were rewarded with five Cian Ward pointed frees and one from Thomas O'Reilly during a spell in which the Gaels struggled to hit the target with a lone scored from Tobin. 

That left the Tones adrift by two points (1-12 to 3-8) with two minutes remaining, but when six minutes added time was announced Simonstown had to find something extra.

They sent on the ultra-relaible Mickey Brennan who duly converted a free and then was involved in a move with Conor Nash that produced Padraig McKeever's 64th minute goal.

That was the difference between the teams – Simonstown took the goal chances and Tones didn't.

The Tones had missed a great goal opportunity a minute earlier when Conor Sheppard was unable to get a touch to Cian Ward's defence-splitting pass.

Cian Ward's closing point was all the Tones could muster.