SFC: O’Mahonys salvage draw with Simonstown

By Club

August-8-2016

Ruairi O Coileain’s stoppage time free earned Navan O’Mahonys a draw with local rivals Simonstown Gaels in this SFC Group C round three clash at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.

O’Mahonys …….. 1-12
Simonstown ……..1-12

O’Mahonys’ top scorer also posted the penultimate score that went towards a second draw in three outings for David Nelson’s men.

They also lost Cormac McGuinness to a red card late on, but still had the drive to salvage something from this difficult fixture.

O’Mahonys took a 1-8 to 1-6 interval advantage to face the wind in the second-half. Simonstown’s response was four points within 13 minutes of resumption.

Colm O’Rourke’s charges led by two points on as many occasions after the break, but failed to register after the 51st minute when they led by 1-12 to 1-10.

David Bray was unlucky to drive an angled goal attempt low and wide in the latter stages.

After O Coileain’s leveller, Jake Regan had a point attempt well-gathered by Simonstown ‘keeper Robbie Burlingham. It was followed by a Padraig McKeever effort from under the stand that drifted wide.

This is the first drawn SFC encounter between the Navan-rivals. Both sides have enjoyed three wins each in the previous six clashes.

Simonstown’s started well and thanks to Sean Tobin’s goal led by 1-3 to 0-2 after 13 minutes.

O’Mahonys responded with an unanswered 1-4 in a six-minute spree. Rory Maguire’s 16th minute point from play were the pick of the scores with Damien Moran providing the assist.

Daragh Smyth’s delivery allowed Jake Regan to fist to the net at the O’Mahonys end to leave it 1-6 to 1-3. The holders were just 1-8 to 1-6 ahead at the break, an unpromising scoreline given the conditions. To their credit they dug out a result that keeps their unbeaten record intact.

O’Mahonys – Marcus Brennan James O’Reilly, Niall McKeigue, Darragh Maguire; Brian Dillon, Daragh Smyth (0-1), Gary O’Brien; Cormac McGuinness, Damien Moran; Rory Maguire (0-2), Stephen Bray, Ruairi O Coileain (0-6, 5fs); Jake Regan (1-3, 0-2fs), David Bray, Cathal Smyth. Subs – Conor Finnegan for O’Brien (42).

Simonstown – Robbie Burlingham; Colin Wickham, Michael O’Rourke, Stephen Moran; Brian McGrath, Briain Conlon (0-1), Niall Kane (0-1); Shane O’Rourke, Shane Barry; Mark Gardiner, Mickey Brennan (0-4 3fs), Mark McCabe (0-1); Padraig McKeever (0-2), Sean Tobin (1-2, 0-1f), Eanna Donoghue (0-1). Subs – Niall McMahon for Wickham (20), Cathal Sheridan for Gardiner (46), Ian O’Rourke for S O’Rourke (bc 59).

Referee – Patrick Coyle (Curraha)