Simonstown ....... 1-10
Wolfe Tones ....... 0-13

There was some disquiet among some supporters that referee Colm McManus blew for full-time before the three-minutes of stoppage time was played.

Wolfe Tones had more reason to feel disquiet about the issue as they seemed to be launching an attack when time was called.

Colm O'Rourke's men never led but was revived by Brian McGrath's well-struck 48th minute goal at the town end that left it 1-6 to 0-10.

The scores were tied three times subsequently before Cian Ward landed a 50-metre free in the 60th minute. Padraig McKeever kicked the levelling score in the first minute of added time with Niall McMahon providing the assist.

Wolfe Tones looked the more likely winners throughout but Simonstown took great heart from McGrath's goal. Sub Mark McCabe's 58th minute punched point was another standout score.

Simonstown chalked up 14 wides, twice as many as their neighbours.

The sides exchanged points in the opening five minutes with Cian Ward's opener from a 40-metre free countered by a similar score from Mickey Brennan.

Brennan went on to complete a hat-trick of pointed frees into the same goal, Simonstown's sole scores in the opening half.

Full-back Stephen Sheppard restored Wolfe Tones lead, pushing forward to post a fine effort at the town end. By the 17th minute it was 0-5 to 0-1 to the men in purple and gold.

Mickey Brennan's second pointed free, in the 20th minute, ended a 17-minute barren spell for the north Navan side. A third pointed placed ball from the Simonstown number 15 cut the gap to a goal.

Fiachra Ward pushed forward to fire over the final score of the half. In the build-up to that score for which the 'Tones midfielder showed a fine turn of pace, two Simonstown defenders collided when trying to prevent the score.

Shane Gallagher and Ian O'Rourke. The former after treatment for a blood injury. The latter was replaced in the third quarter.

There was still time for Stephen Sheppard to have a shot for goal that went low, left and wide. Wolfe Tones led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break. A left-footed free from county man Sean Tobin opened the second-half scoring.

However, every time Simonstown scored Wolfe Tones were able to match it. Midway through the half, Tobin was wide with a goal attempt. However, the Gaels revival didn't go unrewarded.

Simonstown - Robbie Burlingham; Shane Gallagher, Michael O'Rourke, Ian O'Rourke; Mark Gardiner (0-1), Niall Kane, Colin Wickham; Sean Tobin (0-2 sf), Conor Sheridan; Joe Lyons, Padraig McKeever (0-1), Brian McGrath (1-0); Nathan O'Brien, Eanna Donoghue, Mickey Brennan (0-5 fs) . Subs - Niall McMahon for Gallagher (30 bs), Mark McCabe (0-1) for O'Brien (ht), Conor Nash for Sheridan (ht), Niall McMahon for Ian O'Rourke (40), Seamus Kenny for Wickham (48).

Wolfe Tones - David Nolan; David Coleman, Stephen Sheppard (0-1), Conor Sheppard; Niall McLoughlin (0-1), Shane Glynn, Aongus McLoughlin; Daniel O'Neill, Fiachra Ward (0-1); Charlie McGarry, Niall O'Reilly (0-3), Eanna Harrington; Eoghan Harrington, Cian Ward (0-6, 3fs), Thomas O'Reilly (0-1). Subs - Bruach O Fionnagain for Daniel O'Neill (bc 23), Paul Byrne for McGarry (51), Charlie McGarry for O Fionnagain (60).

Referee - Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille).

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