Cortown 0-11
Simonstown 1-12

On an absolutely glorious April evening in Kilberry, there were so many sub-stories...the long awaited return of Sylvie Skelton, a couple of debuts.

The starting 15 was a strong one with a perfect mix of youth and experience with Conor Clarke, Micky Costello and Conor Whelan providing the youth with youngsters Karl Sheridan and Ryan Henry held in reserve. Michael Reilly was drafted into the team at the last minute in place of the injury-stricken Trevor Coyne.

When the game did begin it seemed Cortown were caught cold with Simonstown making a blistering start to proceedings and registered a goal and a point in the opening 4 minutes. It was the lethal Chris O'Neill who stole in to cooly slot under the helpless James Costello. Cortown finally sprung into life and when Brian Faulkner picked the ball up 14 yards from goal, he only had one thing in his mind. The Fordrew Rovers man has a great eye for goal but this time he was denied superbly by the Simonstown keeper to frustrate Faulkner.

Cortown did get on the scoreboard soon after and what a score it was as Conor Mulroe pinged an absolute beauty of a 45 over off the ground. Simonstown again raised the white flag before Sylvie Skelton in his first game for an incredible 5 years advanced forward before striking the ball with the outside of his left boot over the bar from all of 45 yards.

The unfortunate Conor Whelan had to retire injured due to a sprained thumb after 15 minutes which meant a Cortown debut for the 16 year old Ryan Henry, son of Cortown legend Packie. Cortown then got another as Faulkner was fouled 21 yards from goal and Martin Henry did the rest to put two between the teams. It got even better for Cortown when Henry again took a solo dummy on his right foot before executing a terrific left foot shot over to put a solitary point between the sides.

This seemed the awaken the Simonstown side as Paul Meade began winning ball in midfield and Ronan Smyth supported the forward line well from wing back as the Gaels tagged on 4 points on the trot to put themselves in a strong position once more. However, Cortown did have another goal chance just before the break as a quick free kicked from Brian Casserly seen Ryan Henry bare down on goal only to be foiled with a second extraordinary save from the goalkeeper. That was the last action of note in the half as the sides went with 6 points in the difference, 1-6 to 0-4 in favour of Simonstown.

Cortown made one change at the break due to an injury to Michael Reilly as he was replaced by Karl Sheridan for his first appearance in the green and yellow of Cortown.

When play did resume Cortown were like an animal possessed as Ryan Henry was fouled and his cousin and namesake Martin did the rest from the resulting free. Kevin McGuiness was moved forward to midfield and it turned to be a tactical masterstroke from manager Barney O'Rourke as he hit a fantastic score after terrific build up play between two experienced campaigners Martin Henry and Skelton. Cortown then called the name of the iconic, evergreen Liam Rennicks.

With 40 minutes on the clock Cortown were on fire as Martin Henry fired over another free after Ryan Henry had been cleared out of it and suffered concussion as a result with Richie Reilly replacing the the youngster. It would be wrong not to mention the defenders as Mervyn O'Brien and Tomas 'Mossy' Brien who didn't put a foot wrong all evening dominated the full back line.

With 10 minutes to go Skelton sent Cortown into the lead for the first time in the game with a long-range free after good work from Richie Reilly. That was Cortown's sixth point in a row without reply but unfortunately that's as good as it got as O'Neill settled Simonstown with a point which sparked them into life with two more to put them in a commanding position once more. Cortown in typical Cortown fashion didn't give in and McGuiness hit another exquisite point to put a point between them but Simonstown closed the game out in fine fashion with three more points.

A four point defeat was harsh on Cortown who were in contention with 5 minutes to play but just couldn't keep up with Simonstown. But with Junior A championship next weekend, some of the performances have given the management team food for thought with great performances from Mervyn O'Brien, Tomas Brien, Sylvie Skelton and Martin Henry.

Cortown: James Costello, Micheal Costello, Mervyn O'Brien, Tomas Brien, Kevin McGuiness (0-3)Sylvie Skelton (0-2,1f), John Casserly, Richie Flanagan, Conor Clarke, Brian Faulkner, Brian Casserly, Conor Mulroe (0-1, 45), Michael Reilly, Martin Henry (0-5, 4fs), Conor Whelan. Subs: Ryan Henry for Whelan 15 min, Karl Sheridan for Reilly HT, Liam Rennicks for Clarke 37 min, Richie Reilly for R Henry 41 min. Tweet

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