Tones qualify despite 30-point win for Don/Ash

Wolfe Tones secured a place in the knock-out phase of the SFC tonight at Simonstown with a 2-11 to 0-11 victory over Summerhill.

The Tones needed to win or draw to secure qualification as a defeat would have left them level with Donaghmore/Ashbourne who defeated Duleek / Bellewstwon by the required 30 points 7-16 to 0-7 at Donore.

However, Donaghmore Ashbourne needed Wolfe Tones to lose to stay in contention.

In the other game Gaeil Colmcille enjoyed a good win over Rathkenny in a game that was of no consequence to either side – the Kells men won by 0-15 to 0-8.

At Simonstown tonight Tones were ahead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval although they squandered a couple of gilt-edged goal chances with Saran O Fionnagain's goal the crucial score after three minutes.

Four pointed Cian Ward frees and one from play by Padraig Diamond gave Gtones the edge as Summerhill stayed in touch with points fromBarry Dardis (two), Sean Dalton, Micheal Byrne and Ross Ryan with 14 wides equally shared.

Summerhill also lost Richie Hatton with a facial injury and for a brief moment or two there was concern about goalkeeper Tony McDonnell with an injury and reserve goalkeeper Conor Gillespie was warming up, but didn't get a run.

Padraic Diamond added a second Tones goal at the three-quarter stage and that gave them a cushion to see out the contest without too much difficulty.

Wolfe Tones – David Nolan; Stephen Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Conor Sheppard; Niall McLoughlin (0-1), Eoghan Harrington, Eanna Harrington; Stephen Corrigan, Dan O'Neill; Niall O'Reilly (0-1), Thomas O'Reilly, Alan Callaghan; Cian Ward (0-5 frees), Saran O Fionnagain (1-2), Padraic Diamond (1-2).

Summerhill – Tony McDonnell; Iarla Hughes, Willie Ryan, Ronan Ryan; Padriag Geraghty, Richie Hatton, Ross Ryan (0-1); Micheal Byrne (0-2), Brian Ennis (0-3 frees); David Larkin (0-1), Barry Dardis (0-3 one free), Kevin Lyons; Sean Dalton (0-1), Liam Shaw, David Dalton. Sub – Padraig Jennings for Hatton 17 mins.