Simonstown..............2-14
Ballinabrackey..........1-8
It may not have felt like it for much of the opening quarter when they trailed by five points but Simonstown's route to SFC safety was a comfortable one thanks to a commanding performance against Ballinabrackey in Trim on Sunday.
Last year's intermediate champions struck for a goal within a minute and were 1-3 to 0-1 to the good against the wind as they tore into Simonstown, turning over possession with so many crisp tackles.
It took time for Simonstown to adjust - occasions like these can be nervy even for the most experienced teams - but when they did that experience and superior physical power told and once Padraig McKeever got the opening goal just before the first water break, it really was a different game.
Following on from the Feis Cup final win over Wolfe Tones two weeks earlier, this was marked improvement from the group stages when they lost all three games against Moynalvey, Wolfe Tones and Gaeil Colmcille, putting the club into a relegation game for the third time in a 26-year stretch at senior level.
Once again Simonstown operated with Brian McGrath as a sweeper and after those early concessions the defence really got on top with full-back Stephen Moran having a strong first half, especially when the pressure was on.
Ballinabrackey's 1-3 to 0-1 lead, against the wind, drew as response from Simonstown with Brian Conlon pointing from long range, Josh Carolan surging forward to clip over another and Nicky O'Brien taking a point after Conor Sheridan's goalbound effort had been blocked following great play from O'Brien and Carolan in the build up.
McKeever's goal involved Carolan too, his point attempt hitting an upright with the rebound falling into Shane O'Rourke's hands. O'Rourke slipped a pass to McKeever on his inside and the finish was deft, putting Simonstown 1-4 to 1-3 clear.
From there to half-time they were dominant with Sean Conlon improving at midfield and by the break it was 1-9 to 1-4.
Ballinabrackey lifted it on the restart and when Damien Carroll went through a goal beckoned, but Brian Conlon made a brilliant covering block and the danger was averted.
Ballinabrackey got to within three points but with Conlon, McGrath and Neil Kane driving forward with great penetration Simonstown were soon able to distance themselves.
It was that Conlon-Kane axis that set up a great McKeever score to make it 1-11 to 1-7 and when McKeever intercepted a poor kick-out he stretched the advantage further on his way to building a personal tally of 1-7.
Off the bench Michael Gavin and Andrew Kearney made impacts and it was Kearney's ball across the goalmouth that led to Simonstown's second goal as Sean Tobin poked home with his right foot from a subsequent scramble.
Tobin had a second goal disallowed for an apparent square infringement and they might have built a bigger winning margin in the last quarter but for some poor final passes.
At the other end, Mark Gardiner had a strong finish while O'Rourke also provided security around the goalmouth when it was necessary.
The result brings Simonstown's season to a conclusion and while the failure to progress from a difficult group was a disappointment recent performances have been encouraging with a first Feis Cup success a highlight.
Thanks to the players and management -Colm O'Rourke, Johnny Mills, Ciaran Kenny, Padraig Farrell and Seamus Kenny - for their efforts through the year.
Simonstown scorers - P McKeever 1-7 (0-3fs), S Tobin 1-2 (0-1f), C Sheridan 0-2, B Conlon, J Carolan, N O'Brien all 0-1 each.
Simonstown - R Burlingham; M Gardiner, S Moran, M Devlin; J Carolan, B Conlon, N Kane; S O'Rourke, S Conlon; N O'Brien, P McKeever, B McGrath; S Tobin, C Sheridan, B Hoey. Subs: M Gavin for Devlin, A Kearney, for O'Brien, R Connor for Carolan, M McCabe for Sheridan, S Barry for Hoey.
