Simonstown secured the last quarter-final place in the hoganstand.com SFC when proving too strong for Walterstown at Brews Hill early on Sunday afternoon.

Simonstown ....... 2-12
Walterstown ........ 1-7

Simonstown midfielder Sean Tobin capped an impressive showing by scoring 1-3 including his side's decisive second goal, that left it 2-9 to 1-5 with 42 minutes gone.

Tobin then teed up Mark McCabe for a point that left eight between the teams and no way back for a limited Walterstown side.

Even if Tom Walsh's 53rd minute goal attempt not crashed against the crossbar at the railway end, it's doubtful if P. J. Buckley's charges could have dug out the necessary win.

Walterstown, who needed to win to progress at the expense of Simonstown, only led briefly in the early stages after wing-back Colin McGrane opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

By the 10th minute Simonstown were ahead thanks for Padraig McKeever and Joe Lyons and they maintained that lead to the end.

Sean Barry's men went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-1 after 23 minutes. Andrew Carney, who scored 1-2 from play, netted their opening goal with Stephen Moran providing the immediate assist.

The Blacks were boosted when Alban Crosbie netted from a penalty awarded for a foul on the Walterstown number eight.

Simonstown finished the half with another Lyons point to lead by 1-6 to 1-2 at the break despite playing against the breeze.

Points in quick succession on the resumption from Cormac Madden (free) and Tom Walsh raised Walterstown hopes of a recovery.

Simonstown responded by outscoring Walterstown 1-4 to 0-1 before the end of the third quarter with Tobin's aforementioned goal settling matters.

He also added an excellent point from play substitute Wayne McCarthy brought the number of Simonstown scorers to seven just before the end.

Simonstown - R. Duffy; S. McGivney, H. Traynor, S. Gallagher; C. Kenny, E. Donoghue, M. O'Rourke; D. Gaffney, S. Tobin (1-3, 0-1 f, 0-1 45); M. McCabe (0-2), J. Lyons (0-2), S. Barry (0-1); S. Moran, P. McKeever (0-1), A. Carney (1-2). Subs - P. Meade for Gaffney (12), C. Wickham for O'Rourke (37), W. McCarthy (0-1) for Moran (59).

Walterstown - C. Lydon; P. Reynolds, D. Maguire, C. McGuinness; J. Geoghegan, D. Reynolds, C. McGrane (0-1); A. Crosbie (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1 f), J. Farrelly; T. Walsh (0-1), M. Clarke, M. McCormack; R. O'Dowd, G. McGuinness, C. Madden (0-2, 1f). Subs - R. McDonnell for McCormack (ht), S. O'Keefe for Clarke, R. Barry (0-1) for Madden (both 51).

Referee - B. Darby (Ballinabrackey). Tweet

Most Read Stories