Tobin goal sets up easy win for Simonstown as Starlights fail to shine

MEATH champions Simonstown Gaels were always in control as they cruised to a comfortable victory over a disappointing Starlights in this Leinster Club senior football championship quarter-final at Wexford Park yesterday.

The two-in-a-row Meath champions took control of this game from the outset, racing into a 0-4 to nil lead inside six minutes as they kicked over four excellent points.

After Nathan O’Brien opened the scoring in the first minute, Niall McMahon, Conor Sheridan and Sean Tobin who followed with points.

The home side made very little impression through the opening exchanges and had to wait until the 11th minute for their opening score, an Alan Tobin point.

After Darragh Pepper had reduced the deficit further, it was the Meath side who responded with the game’s only goal at the end of the first quarter. Sean Tobin finished from close-in following a sweeping, four-man move that opened up the opposing defence, putting them 1-4 to 0-2 ahead.

Starlights finished the half strongly, with points from Dylan Redmond and Alan Tobin frees, but still it was Simonstown who looked comfortable leading 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

RECOVERY

The expected Starlights secondhalf recovery, even with the breeze at their backs, failed to materialise, as the visitors remained in control, with Shane O’Rourke and James Kilcullen dominant in midfield.

Patrick McKeever, from a free, and Ricky Fox exchanged early points, but a McKeever pointed free and a fine individual Sean Tobin effort left Simonstown 1-8 to 0-5 ahead after 44 minutes.

With the sides exchanging points it was Simonstown who led 1-10 to 0-6 as the game entered the closing 10 minutes.

Boosted by two quick Ryan Mahon points, Starlights raised their game, but they were unable to break down the defence.

It was the visitors who finished strongest, with points from a McKeever free and a huge Shane O’Rourke effort to march into the next round.