Billed as a 'dead rubber', this lively round three fixture at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening produced a dramatic finale.

Simonstown ................. 2-13
Seneschalstown ............2-13

It took Padraig McKeever's free in the seventh minute of added time for force the final outcome. From their late first half scoring burst, Seneschaltown looked set to shock Simonstown, who had won their two previous outings and were certain to top the group..

In contrast, Seneschalstown had nothing to show from their previous fixtures. They overcame a slow start to wrench control of proeedings from their fancied neighbours.

So good were Seneschalstown that they were two goals clear with 57 minutes on the clock. Sub Luke Caffrey finished a fine move to the net to throw the north Navan men a lifeline.

Simonstown can bemoan a couple of close range point chances that might have yielded their third win of the campaign.

In the second minute of added time Shane Barry finished to the net from a tight angle at the Commons Road end. Another sub, Ben Hoey levelled matters, 2-12-all.

Cathal Finnegan brought his tally to 1-5 when restoring Seneschalstown's lead in the fourth minute of additional time. There was still time for another score and Simonstown's main marksman tied things up again.to give both sides something to ponder.

Simonstown will consider the manner they leaked both goals while Seneschalstown can look to their competitive spirit ahead of the relegation play-offs.

Backed by the wind blowing towards the town end, Simonstown were first to show, posting four points without reply in the opening eight minutes with Padraig McKeever hitting three. Sean Tobin registered the other.

Before the end of the first quarter, Seneschalstown put three points on the board with James Meade opening the sequence.

A poor Simonstown restart almost let Seneschalstown in for a goal, but Alan Mulvany shot low and wide. Seconds later David Gordon came to his side's rescue when saving from Sean Conlon with his feet.

Simonstown moved 0-8 to 0-4 clear by the 20th minute with Andrew Kearney's 20th minute point proving to be their last score of the half.

Seneschalstown quickly changed the complexion of the game, posting 1-2 without reply in the run-up to the interval. Cathal Finnegan's stoppage time goal was central to this burst that left Ciaran Marks men 1-6 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

Seneschalstown maintained their pre-interval momentum from the restart, moving five points clear by the 38th minute. Alan Mulvany's goal was the key score in this phase.

The Yellow Furze side looked set to collect their first brace of points until Simonstown's late rally. 

Scorers: Simonstown - Padraig McKeever 0-7 (4fs); Shane Barry 1-0; Luke Caffrey 1-0; Andrew Kearney 0-2; Sean Tobin 0-2 (1f); Ben Hoey 0-1; Luke Caffrey 0-1

Seneschalstown - Cathal Finnegan 1-5 (0-2 fs); Alan Mulvany 1-1; James Meade 0-2 (fs); Dylan Keating 0-2; Eoin Finnegan 0-1;Robbie Finnegan 0-1; Jonathan Gilsenan 0-1.

Simonstown - 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; Sean Tobin, Sean Conlon, Andrew Kearney. Subs -  Aaron Farrelly for S Conlon (39), Ben Hoey for Heaney (39), Eoghan Gough for Kearney (45), Luke Caffrey for A Chinchilla (50),

Seneschalstown - David Gordon; Cillian Lawlor, Brian Maguire, Danny Waters; Robert Wogan, Simon Rooney, James Meade; Donal Commons, Darren O'Brien; Ryan Finnegan, Cathal Finnegan, Alan Mulvany; Dylan Keating, Eoin Finnegan, Robbie Finnegan. Subs - Ross Howard for E Finnegan (50), Jonathan Gilsenan for Mulvany (58)

Referee - Robert Purfield (St Patrick's)

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