Action from Summerhill v Simonstown. PHOTO JOHN QUIRKE

Late Ryan goal earns victory for Summerhill

Kevin Ryan's late goal revived Summerhill as they recorded a 2-12 to 2-10 SFC semi-final win against Simonstown Gaels at Pairc Tailteann this evening.

Summerhill will meet either Ratoath or Gaeil Colmcille in the decider.

Summerhill made a blistering start with a Kevin Ryan goal after only 18 seconds and that was the score that separated the teams at the interval.

Summerhill were ahead by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break, but would have been worth a point or two more based on their display as Simonstown did well to stay in touch.

Three Barry Dardis points (two frees) and one apiece by Liam Shaw, Paul Larkin and Sean Dalton were sufficient o give Summerhill that margin.

Hard-working Simonstown had two points each from Sean Tobin and Padraig McKeever (one free), John Keane and Nicky O'Brien and manager Des Lane put Andrew Kearney into the forwards on the stroke of half-time as a direct replacement for Mark McCabe.

Summerhill were rocked early in the second-half when Simonstown's Niall Kane found the net after a fine Andrew Kearney pass and they conceded a second goal at the three-quarter stage when Nicky O'Brien finished to the net.

That was the total of Simonstown's third-quarter tally and tied the scores at 2-6 1-9 with Summerhill adding points from SEan Dalton (two) and a Dardis free.

Another Dardis pointed free eased Summerhill into the lead againand then Liam Shaw sent over a delightful point.

That herladed a Simonstown rally of points from Padraig McKeever from two frees as Shane O'Rourke caused problems for the Summerhill rearguard. 

Conor Sheridan pointed the Navan men in front with three minutes remaining and Sean Tobin quickly added another, but Summerhill dug deep and Kevin Ryan fired to the net after Robbie Burlingham had saved from Padraig Geraghty.

Kevin Ryan added a point to secure the victory.