Kearney shows he still has midas touch
WOLFE TONES SIMONSTOWN GAELS
AFTER leading the club to unprecedented success in the Noughties, Tony Kearney showed that he still has the midas touch following Wolfe Tones’ Division 1 league success at Pairc Tailteann last Saturday.
The victory completed a successful first year back in charge for Kearney after a number of years with various other clubs in Meath and Louth.
Victory was some measure of compensation for the recent championship semi-final defeat to the Navan men and crowned a fine turnaround for the Tones who contested the relegation play-off 12 months ago.
The sides were level four times during an uneventful opening half before Tones, thanks to the last two points of the half, led 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.
Cian Ward, who was quiet throughout that first half-hour, proved a pivotal figure on the restart and the former county star kicked some excellent points, including two from 45s as his side put daylight between themselves and the county champions. Ward eventually ended with a personal tally of seven points and his contribution was the difference on a day when both sides found scores hard to come by.
Simonstown, who were seeking a championship and league double, were without Sean Tobin and they looked a tired outfit as they were unable to discover the sparkle that helped them retain the Keegan Cup.
They had to wait 11 minutes for the opening score from Conor Sheridan and that was in reply to an earlier effort from Thomas O’Reilly.
Simonstown, for whom Shane O’Rourke had an outstanding first half, led twice following points from Nathan and Nicky O’Brien.
However, Tones, who were earlier guilty of some wayward shooting, finished the half stronger and points from Cian and Daniel O’Neill had them ahead at the break.
Cian Ward, with a long-range effort, doubled their advantage less than a minute into the second half, though that score was cancelled out when Simonstown captain Padraig McKeever pointed a free at the other end.
The Tones then took a grip on proceedings as Ward converted three frees and wing back Niall McLoughlin pointed twice to open up a 0-11 to 0-5 lead.
Colm O’Rourke’s side then hit three points in succession, through Shane O’Rourke, McKeever (free) and Nathan O’Brien to close the gap by the 47th minute.
However, Tones reasserted their superiority in the final quarter, with Ward pointing twice and Thomas O’Reilly also getting on the mark.
Simonstown needed a goal to have a chance, but all they could manage was a point from Nathan O’Brien and Tones held out for a comfortable enough win.
After the match County vice-chairman
Fixtures
Pairc Tailteann: Bective/Dunsany v Carnaross/ Moynalty, U-21B final, 12.0, Paul Mooney; Killary Emmets v Curraha, U-21A final, 1.30, M Griffin.
0-14 0-9
Peter O’Halloran presented the Mooney Cup to captain Niall McLoughlin.
WOLFE TONES: Luke Condie; Stephen Sheppard, Daniel O’Neill 0-1, Shane Glynn; Niall McLoughlin 0-2, Eoghan Harrington, Eanna Harrington; Stephen Corrigan, Cian O’Neill 0-1; Niall O’Reilly, Thomas O’Reilly 0-2, Padraic Diamond 0-1; Saran Ó Fionnagáin, SUNDAY DECEMBER 17
Pairc Tailteann: Ratoath v Wolfe Tones, U-21 FC final, 1.30, P Nelis.
Rathkenny
Presidents: Sean Curtis, Fr Gerry Boyle. Chairman Martin Byrne; vice chairman Paddy Macken; secretary Tommy Maguire; assistant Fiachra Ward, Cian Ward 0-7 (3f, 2 45). Subs: David Nolan for Condie (31min), Brughach Ó Fionnagáin for Cian O’Neill (55), Caolan Ward for S Ó Fionnagáin (59, BC), Brughach O Fionnagain (62, BC).
SIMONSTOWN: Robbie Burlingham; Shane Gallagher, Stephen Moran, Niall McMahon; Brian McGrath, Brian Conlon, Niall Kane; Shane O’Rourke 0-1, James Kilcullen; Nicky O’Brien 0-1, Seamus Kenny, secretary Barney Allen; treasurer Larry Murray; assistant treasurer Paul Mullery; PRO David Heery; Insurance officer Tommy McKeever; Health & wellbeing Tina Reilly; membership officers Peter Timmons, Ronan Curtis, David Heery; Irish officer Jimmy Carolan. Delegates to County Board: Barney Allen, David Heery, Martin Byrne.
Committee: Brian Meade, Peter Timmons, Tom McGuinness, Mick Farrelly, Ronan Curtis, James Corcoran, Kevin Leddy.
Skryne
Mark McCabe; Nathan O’Brien 0-3, Conor Sheridan 0-1, Padraig McKeever 0-3f. Subs: Shane Barry for Kenny (33min), Mark Gardiner for McMahon (41), Rory O’Connor for McCabe (41), Joe Lyons for Nicky O’Brien (46), Eanna Donoghue for Sheridan (50), Stephen O’Reilly for McGrath (57).
REF: Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille)
FIXTURES AND AGM NEWS
Chairperson Senan McGrath; vice chairperson Dermot Carty; secretary Nicky Hamill; assistant secretary TBC; treasurer Ross Phillips; assistant treasurer Sinead Rooney; PRO Dermot Carty; safety officer Kevin O’Rourke; insurance officer Sinead Rooney; County Board delegate Oliver Harrington; Irish language/cultural officer Joe O’Brien; child welfare officer: Caroline Whelan; I.T. officer/registrar Rowan Dardis. Committee: Dolores Tobin, Norbert Coyle, Dan O’Leary.
•Syddan GFC hold their agm this Wednesday in the clubhouse at 8pm.