For the most part Wolfe Tones controlled a game that had the hallmarks of a chess match from which they decisively advanced to the last four

Wolfe Tones ...... 2-11
Simonstown ..... 1-5

Wolfe Tones recovered from having chalked up just one score in the opening quarter to finish with 13 to their credit, more than twice that of their neighbours.

With the scores tied at 0-3-each after 21 minutes, Paddy Martin's men kicked-on to settle matters long before the finish.

Fiachra Ward's 24th minute goal left it 1-3 to 0-3 and the Tones took that lead to the finish. Cian Ward created the opening for younger brother Fiachra to complete the first-half scoring and leave it 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

The third quarter produced just one score, a Cian Ward 45. Simonstown had plentiful possession in the third quarter but couldn't translate it into scores.

However, they recieved a timely boost in the 49th minute when sub Luke Caffrey goaled to leave just three points between the sides.

By the 55th the Wilkinstown-Kilberry side were putting distance between the sides. Sub Alan Lynam got the sequence going with a point. Thomas O'Reilly (free) widened the gap.

Then in the last act of the game, Oisin Martin completed a neat move with the 'Tones second goal.

It was a disappointing end to Simonstown's campaign. However, having been dragged into the relegation dogfight a year ago. This year marked an improvement for the north Navan side, who won two and drew one of their Group B campaign this time.

The game was slow to get going with all the vibrancy of cagey chess match. Playing into the town end, Simonstown were first to show with two points in the opening five minutes. Sean Tobin and Padraig McKeever were the scores.

Seconds later an accidental collision led to the departure of Wolfe Tones wing-back Sean Penney following a four-minute delay.

Thomas O'Reilly's 13th minute free got the 'Tones off the mark. A second such score from the the same player levelled matters with 18 minutes on the clock.

A magnificent Adam O'Neill point put Paddy Martin's men in front for the first time. Ben Hoey's free tied the scores again in the 20th minute.

Around this time Simonstown lost the influential Padraig McKeever to injury.

Then Wolfe Tones made a big break in the 24th minute when Alan Callaghan's delivery found Fiachra Ward who netted from close range.

Wolfe Tones led  by 1-3 to 0-3 and outscored their neighbours by 0-2 to 0-1 over the remaineder of the half that included five minutes of added time.

Scorers: Wolfe Tones - Thomas O'Reilly 0-4 (fs); Fiachra Ward 1-1; Oisin Martin 1-0; Cian Ward 0-2 (1 45); Stephen Sheppard 0-1 (mark); Conor Sheppard 0-1; Alan Lynam 0-1; Adam O'Neill 0-1

Simonstown Gaels - Luke Caffrey 1-0; Ben Hoey 0-2 (fs); Padraig McKeever 0-1; Brian Conlon 0-1;Sean Tobin 0-1

Wolfe Tones - Ciaran O Gallachoir; Conor Sheppard, Shane Glynn (c), Gearoid O'Brien; Tom Gavigan, Daniel O'Neill, Sean Penney; Alan Callaghan, Adam O'Neill; Niall O'Reilly, Thomas O'Reilly, Stephen Sheppard; Oisin Martin, Fiachra Ward, Cian Ward. Subs - Brughach O Fionnagain for Penney (10), Caolan Ward for Cian Ward (44), Alan Lynam for Gavigan (49).

Simonstown Gaels - Robbie Burlingham; Mark Devlin,Stephen Moran (c), Mark Gardiner; Brian Conlon, Josh Carolan, Aaron Chinchilla; Shane Barry, Michael Gavin; James Heaney, Padraig McKeever, Brian McGrath; Aaron Farrelly , Sean Tobin, Ben Hoey. Subs - Eoghan Gough for McKeever (20), Sean Conlon for Farrelly (37), Luke Caffrey for Chinchilla (45), Andrew Kearney for Heaney (49).

Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's).

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