Wolfe Tones 1-6
Simonstown 0-9

A draw was a fair result in this A league game played in difficult underfoot conditions with a swirling wind in Simonstown.

Defences were generally on top and scoring for both teams proved difficult. Simonstown had the lion's share of possession in the first half but tenacious Tones defending meant they could only manage 4 first half points, 3 of which came from mid fielder Shane O Rourke. The Tones first half scores came from Fiachra Ward who handpassed a point in the first minute and converted a free in the 29th minute. David Nolan in the Tones goal made a brilliant save in the 10th minute when he denied Simonstown a certain goal following a defence splitting pass from Sean Tobin.

Simonstown took firm control in the opening minutes of the 2nd half and by the 38th minute had stretched their half time lead following points from Nickie O Brien, Padraic McKeever and Séamus Kenny to lead 0  07 to 0  02. However Tones fighting spirit kept them in touch and they had the better of the next period. Fiachra Ward added frees in the 40th and 45th minute and momentum seemed to be swinging in their direction. Shortly after wards Tones were boosted by a brilliant finish to the net from Niall Mc Loughlin.

Simonstown's defence coughed up cheap possession which was gathered by Niall O Reilly whose pin point pass found Fiachra Ward who off loaded to the on rushing McLoughlin. Fiachra Ward notched a free shortly afterwards to give Tones the lead for the first time since the opening minute. Tones 1  05 Simontown 0  07. However Simonstown responded well with a point from Padraic Mc Keever to level matters with just 4 minutes remaining. When substitute Wayne Mc Carthy added another  point for the men in blue almost immediately it looked as though it was to be Simontown's day. However Tones refused to yield and following intense pressure a Simonstown defender was forced into fouling the ball which led to a free which Fiachra Ward converted to level matters. Indeed with the last kick of the ball Ward had a long range free to win the game for the Tones which drifted wide.

Even though short a number of regulars this was a good Tones performance with Shane Glynn, Stephen Sheppard and Eanna Harrington prominent in defence while Niall O Reilly Niall Mc Loughlin and Fiachra Ward showed up well in attack. Paul Byrne linked the play well while David Nolan's first half save was crucial.

Wolfe Tones: David Nolan, Sean Moriarty, Stephen Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Éanna Harrington, Eoghan Harrington, Aonghus Mc Loughlin, Allan Callaghan, Niall O Reilly, Paul Byrne, Niall Mc Loughlin (1  01), Conor Sheppard, Padraic Diamond, Fiachra Ward (0  05, 4F), Brughach O Fionnagáin. Sub Patrick Caffrey for Conos Sheppard (45)

Simonstown and Wolfe Tones shared the points in this All-County 'A' League game played in Simonstown today (Sun: Mar:29th) on a final score line of Simonstown 0-9 v.Wolfe Tones 1-6.

The standard of football was quite poor from both teams and this may be due to the fact that the conditions were very windy and a heavy pitch did not help. Simonstown led 0-4 to 0-2 at half-time with three points coming from team Captain Shane O' Rourke and a point from full-forward Pauric McKeever.
Simonstown had a goal chance saved by Wolfe Tones keeper and former Simonstown player David Nolan when Sean Tobin picked out Joe Lyons, but his shot was excellently saved by Nolan.

The second half did not entertain the small crowd which had gathered and Simonstown went into a three point lead when Nickey O'Brien pointed for the home team in the second minute. Conor Sheridan added another point for Simonstown and it looked like a home win was on the cards.

Then Wolfe Tones began to take charge of the game. Points from full-forward Fiachra Ward and a goal had the teams level at 0-7 v. 1-4. Pauric McKeever added his second point to put Simonstown in the lead again, but Wolfe Tones levelled again.

With four minutes remaining, Simonstown substitute Wayne McCarthy scored an excellent point from almost 30 metres out which looked like the winning score 0-9 v.1-5. However Wolfe Tones threw level again 0-9 v. 1-6 with a minute left. Wolfe Tones then had the chance to win it when referee Joey Curley awarded a free against Simonstown full-back Niall McMahon when he was judged to have handled the ball on the ground. Fiachra Ward stood up to take the free but his shot went wide.

A draw seemed the fair result as the final whistle sounded. For Simonstown Seamus Kenny, Joe Lyons and Pauric McKeever were the stand out players.

Simonstown Team: M.McCabe, M.O'Rourke, N.McMahon, E.Donoghue, R.O'Connor, S.Kenny 0-1, M.Gardiner, S.O'Rourke 0-3, C.Sheridan 0-1, N.Kane, S.Tobin, J.Lyons, Nickey O'Brien 0-1, P.McKeever 0-2, Nathan O'Brien. Subs: M.Brennan for S.O'Rourke, B.McGrath for M.Gardiner, C.Wickham for N.Kane, W.McCarthy 0-1 for Nickey O'Brien, S.Moran for Nathan O'Brien, I.O'Rourke for M.O'Rourke.

Referee: Joey Curley (Moynalty)

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