FL Div 1 final: 'Tones tame champions

December 02, 2017

Wolfe Tones Stephen Corrigan shoots as Simonstown's James Kilcullen closes in during the Division 1 FL final at Pairc Tailteann

Wolfe Tones outlasted neighbours Simonstown in the FL Division 1 final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.

Wolfe Tones ...... 0-14
Simonstown .......0-9


Following an evenly contested first-half, Wolfe Tones upped a couple of gears to outscore the 'Gaels by 0-9 to 0-5 after the break.

Wolfe Tones topped the division, while Simonstown finished a point behind and beat Summerhill in the semi-final. The 'Tones beat their neighbours by four points in a round five fixture.

Of greater importance was Simonstown's SFC semi-final win over Wolfe Tones where they finished with five points to spare. While Wolfe Tones didn't lack motivation, tiredness may have impacted on the Keegan Cup holders.

Six days on from their Leinster Club SFC exit, Simonstown found it hard to keep pace with fresher opponents who were determined to finish the year with some silverware. Wolfe Tones also have an under 21 FC final date with Ratoath to look forward to on Sunday, December 17.

Cian Ward posted half ot Wolfe Tones' tally and set them on their way with a score from play 35 seconds after the break. Team captain Niall McLoughlin chipped in with two third quarter scores. The second left it 0-11 to 0-5 after 43 minutes.

A brief Simonstown rally yielded three points on the spin that included an excellent Shane O'Rourke effort. The nearby board read 0-11 to 0-8 early in the final quarter.

A fine Eoghan Harrington block parried Brian McGrath's goal attempt. Wolfe Tones outscored Simonstown by 0-3 to 0-1 in the final quarter to claim the Mooney Cup.

For Simonstown another successful year is over. Wolfe Tones still have that Under 21 FC title to play for.

It took nearly nine minutes for the opening score to arrive, courtesy of Wolfe Tones' Thomas O'Reilly with Fiachra Ward provding the assist.

The scores were tied four time in the opening half. Wolfe Tones had three brief spells in the lead. Simonstown had two

Wolfe Tones posted five wides to Simonstown's three. The SFC champions played into the hospital goal in the opening half. No player scored more than once in the first 30 minutes.

Shane O'Rourke picked up a knock on the leg around the 22-minute mark but resumed. Points from Cian and Dan O'Neill in the boosted the 'Tones to a 0-5 to 0-4 interval advantage.

With his well-pitched acceptance speech Wolfe Tones' captain Niall McLoughlin set a template for others follow

Wolfe Tones - Luke Condie; Stephen Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Cian O'Neill (0-1); Niall McLoughlin (C) (0-2), Eoghan Harrington, Eanna Harrington; Stephen Corrigan, Daniel O'Neill (0-1); Niall O'Reilly, Thomas O'Reilly (0-2), Padraic Diamond (0-1); Saran O Fionnagain, Fiachra Ward, Cian Ward (0-7 3fs, 2 45s). Subs - David Nolan for Condie (ht), Brughach O Fionnagain for Cian O'Neill (56), Caolan Ward for S O Fionnagain (bc 60), Brughach O Fionnagain (bc 63).

Simonstown - Robbie Burlingham; Shane Gallagher, Stephen Moran, Niall McMahon; Brian McGrath, Brian Conlon, Niall Kane; Shane O'Rourke (0-1), James Kilcullen; Nicky O'Brien (0-1), Seamus Kenny, Mark McCabe; Nathan O'Brien (0-3), Conor Sheridan (0-1), Padraig McKeever (C) (0-3, 3fs). Subs - Shane Barry for Kenny (35), Mark Gardiner for McMahon (43), Rory O'Connor for McCabe (43), Joe Lyons for Nicky O'Brien (47), Eanna Donoghue for Sheridan (51), Stephen O'Reilly for McGrath (58).

Referee - Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille)


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