Simonstown 3-11 Rathkenny 1-14 

Simonstown Gaels badly needed a result after their first round defeat to Oldcastle. Both teams were winless and this made the game very intriguing. The Gaels were depleted and were missing some influential players due to holidays and injuries. This however gave other players the opportunity to step up to the mark. 

Simonstown began the game very brightly and opened the scoring through an unlikely source. Barry Lynagh registered his first score in over 3 years and it was well worth the wait. Lynagh swiveled and pointed from outside the 45 yard line. Rathkenny responded with 2 quick points in succession and led after 10 minutes. Andrew Burlingham acted as a playmaker throughout the game and his powerful running and selfless play enabled Simonstown to score some easy scores. Simonstown were delighted to welcome back Conor Farrell to Simonstown football after his 5 year hiatus away for Gaelic. Farrell had a sabbatical due to his commitment to Leinster rugby and remarkably this was his debut playing senior football. Farrell showed great strength and endeavor throughout the game and scored a beautiful point in the first half from distance. This was the first time the three Farrell brothers played with each other and they played a significant part in the Gaels victory. Cillian guarded the defence and Mark Farrell came on and sprayed passes with his wand of a left foot. Brian Brady scored some important scores in the first half and was a threat in the full forward line. Score at half time Simonstown 0-8 Rathkenny 0-6

A worrying trend for Simonstown junior cs is the slow starts to their second half. Rathkenny boosed the first 15 minutes of the second half and recorded 5 points without reply. Score midway through the second half was Simonstown 0-8 Rathkenny 0-11. The Gaels looked devoid of ideas but quick thinking from Andrew Burlingham opened up the space for Brian Brady. Brady showed composure to slot his shot past the oncoming Rathkenny stopper. Burlingham and Johnny Hand registered points a piece and this put Simonstown 2 points to the good. also  The Gaels began to win kick outs and Sean Gough's fielding was a particular highlight in the game. Goals proved to be the difference and Aaron O'Connell ran with pace and power and rocketed his shot into the back of the net. The Gaels were not finished and a speculative shot from distance from Barry Lynagh was caught by Johnny Hand who laid off to Burlingham. Burlingham selflessly laid the ball off to Chris Smith. Smith slotted the ball past for his first goal of the season. Paul Gorman made an amazing block to keep Simonstown in the ascendancy. Rathkenny did score a late consolation goal which was a super finish past Evan Burlingham in the goals. The result leaves Simonstown tied first with Oldcastle (1 game), Navan O'Mahonys and Walterstown after 2 games played. 

Simonstown: Evan Burlingham, Paul Gorman, Terry Sheils, Mick Fitzpatrick, Barry Lynagh (0-1), Cillian Farrell, Ben Tracey, Aaron O'Connell (1-0), Sean Gough, Johnny Hand (0-2), Conor Farrell (0-1), Ciaran Reilly, Andrew Burlingham (0-4), Brian Brady (1-3 1 free), Chris Smith (1-0). Subs - Ronan Higgins for Terry Shiels, Mark Farrell for Chris Smith, Daniel Molloy-Battigan for Ciaran Reilly.

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