Simonstown exit Leinster against Foxrock - Cabinteely

Simonstown Gaels exited the Ladies Leinster Club SFC at the first hurdle today when they were sent crashing out (0-5 to 4-16) at the semi-final stage by top Dublin side Foxrock / Cabinteely.

The result is probably a fair reflection of the gulf between Meath and Dublin ladies football and while this was a big reversal for the recently-crowned Royal COunty champions, it will also prove to be a significant lesson for the Simonstown players who gave it their best shot.

Quality was evident in all positions for a talented Foxrock / Cabinteely side who arrived in Navan with the sole intention of negotiating the Simonstown hurdle.

And they negotiated it with plenty to spare as the put on a top quality display and the performance had to be admired by all the spectators who witness an excellent team go about their job in an efficient manner. 

For 15 first-half minutes Simonstown were well in contention as Foxrock / Cabinteely enjoyed a hard-earned 0-2 to 0-1 advantage.
Simonstown also missed an easy free at that stage when Ailbhe McHugh's effort hit the top of the crossbar and was scrambled clear.

However, for the remainder of the half the Dublin women dictated and added points Amy Ring (three), Hannah O'Neill (two) Connolly and Goldrick while Fiona Claffey found the net. All that combined to give the Dublin side a substantial 1-9 to 0-1 interval advantage.

Simonstown gave it their best shot in the second-half and managed a third-quarter point from Kelsey Nesbitt, but after that the only reward on the scoreboard was late points from Jackie Shiels (two) and substitute Ellie Lane.

Foxrock / Cabinteely had Aedin Murray sent to the sinbin with four minutes remaining, but by that stage it didn't matter too much.

The Dublin side added second-half goals from O'Neill, Ciara O'Riordan and Ring while the ppoints flowed from Connolly (three), Goldrick,Tara O'Sullivan, Claffey and substitiute Laurie Ahern.  

Foxrock - Cabinteeley - Aisling Tarpey; Aedin Murray, Sarah Quinn, Emma McDonagh; Sinead Goldrick (0-3), Niamh Collins, Lorna Fusciardi; Tara O'Sullivan (0-1), Clara Ni Mhurchadh; Laura Nerney, Amy Connolly (0-5), Fiona Claffey (1-1); Hannah O'Neill (1-2), Ciara O'Riordan (1-0), Amy Ring (1-3 two frees). Subs -Sinead Delahunty for McDonagh 39 mins, Laurie Ahern (0-1) for Nerney and Cara Cooke for O'Sullivan both 46m.

Simonstown Gaels - Naoise De Graaff; Aisling Sheridan, Paula Fitzgerald, Aoife Farrell; Katie Bellew, Regina Hand, Emma Cassidy; Niamh Lister, Niamh Cassidy; Ailbhe McHugh, Jackie Shiels (0-2 frees), Kelsey Nesbitt (0-1); Kelly Harris (0-1 free), Tara Berrigan, Niamh Sheridan. Subs - Eve Wardick for Berrigan half-time; Aisling Cassidy for McHugh 39 mins, Ellie Lane (0-1) for Harris and Karen Foran for A Sheridan both 46m, Nicole Byrne for de Graaff 50m.

Referee - Niall McCormack (Laois)