The strong swirling wind blowing towards the town end in Duleek on Saturday eveningmade scoring from play very difficult in Premier Div. 2 Semi-Final. Close in frees were the order of the day in the scoring department with 4 of Simonstown 0—7 and six of St.Pats 0—10 coming from auch frees. Any attempt out side twenty metres either from play or free was blown off course.
Simonstown won the toss and played "with wind" in first half. They were dominating play and frees from Luke Cafrrey and Jack Melia had them two up after seven minutes. Ronan Duffy then pulled off a great save for Simonstownin Pats first real attack.The Stamullen men parked the bus and forced the Navan men to shoot from distance and awkard angles with swirling wind carrying the intended pass too far or just outside of posts at the last second contributing to a number of wides. Pats replied with a pointed free on a quick break and squared the tie with a point from play with twenty fives on the clock. Luke Caffrey was on target with two from play. As Simonstown pressed forward, quick break outs resulted in two frees which were converted and the the teams went into the dressing rooms level half time at 0—4 each.
Simonstown started the sceond half with intent and a Jack Melia rasping shot hit the under side of cross bar and rebounded into the gratefull arms of a Pats defender. The Stamullen men added three points ( 2 frees) to lead by three with ten minutes played. Peter Duffy cut through the Pats defence and fired over. A good Simonstown move ended with Eoghan Foley hitting the butt of post and the ball was scrambled to safety. After that let -off some of the more expierenced Pats players judged the wind better and tagged on three more points ( 1 free) to put them five up with five to play. An all out effort and final push by Simonstown ended in several goalmouth scrambles that resulted in two frees which Luke Caffrey converted. The conditions played a hugh role in quality and outcome of this game.In a very disappointed dressing room afterwards Manager James Sheehy and selector Justin Ward paid tribute to players for their outstanding effort and committment to team during the year and encouraged them to continue training with seniors as they prepare for quarter final. Captain Rory O Connor replied paying tribute to his players and all those involved with team.
**Simons; Ronan Duffy..Liam Purvis, Mark Gardiner,Paddy Heaney..Colin Wickham, Rory O Connor, Eoghan Foley..Peter Duffy (0—1), David McKeever..Ruairi Brady, Joe Lyons, Kyle MvEvoy..Luke Caffrey (0—5)3f, Jack Melia(0—1)f, Fionn O Hanluain...
