U-16 Summer League - Division 2, Round 2. Skryne 1-11 Seneschalstown 1-08

Skryne 1-11 Seneschalstown 1-08

U-16 Summer League – Division 2, Round 2

If an alien had landed in Skryne last night and witnessed the winter like weather conditions that were evident, he would be forgiven for misunderstanding the term ‘Summer’ League. Rain fell almost constantly for the whole game and temperatures were fostered for the evening from the month of February. Conditions underfoot were akin to an ice rink and the ball was like a bar of soap, even with gloves adorned.

Seneschalstown arrived short of players with only 13 men available for selection and consequently Skryne were forced to reduce their numbers to match this in line with the Fair Play policy in place at underage level. Usually less personnel on the pitch makes for a more open high scoring game, but the conditions were an immense hindrance to both teams throughout, with many moves breaking down as a result of slipping and sliding on the turn or losing control of the ball due to lack of grip. Indeed it took 4 minutes for the first score to come and this was from a free from Luke Thorpe who slotted the ball over the bar after Colm Doherty was taken down when making a fine burst through the Seneschalstown rearguard. Seneschalstown’s first score came from a penalty on the 7^th minute when a Seneschalstown player was deemed to have received a shove inside the penalty area. Their penalty taker made no mistake and Seneschalstown took an early lead 0-01 to 1-00 in a game where scores were hard to come by. Skryne replied to the Seneschalstown goal with points of their own from Luke Thorpe on the 11^th and 13^th minutes.

Skryne had the lion’s share of possession in the first half, but wasted a hat full of chances with some bad wides. Meanwhile the economical Seneschalstown attack were clocking up the scores with 3 points without any reply from Skryne. Skryne took more than 15 minutes to add to their tally when they closed out the half with 2 points from Dylan Bissett and Frankie Carty. At half time, Skryne trailed by 2 points 0-05 to 1-04.

Seneschalstown continued to add to their tally at the beginning of the second half when they extended their lead to 4 points on a scoreline of 0-05 to 1-06. Both sides swapped scores with Robbie Clarke bagging Skryne’s point on 35 mins while Seneschalstown split the posts on 44 mins leaving the scoreline 0-06 to 1-07. Skryne’s defense tightened up for the remainder of the game conceding only 1 more point. Seneschalstown also lost one of their forwards through injury during the second half and Skryne were forced to reduce their numbers in tandem. Skryne upped the ante later in the half with points from Robbie Clarke and Luke Thorpe. Supersub Eoin Quinn was Skryne’s hero on the night. Skryne were a point down with 4 mins to go. Eoin scored a fine point from play to level proceedings before he launched a high ball arrowing towards the Seneschalstown goals for what appeared to be a certain point. However, the ball dipped just under the crossbar to beat the hapless Seneschalstown goalkeeper. Skryne grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat and ran out deserved winners on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-08.

Skryne: James Keane, Jack Dardis, Tommy Kelly, Peter Swan, Tommy Carpenter, Robbie Clarke, Jarlath Jordan, Frankie Carty, Sean Byrne, Luke Thorpe, Colm Doherty, Dylan Bissett, Brian Clarke

Subs: Liam Gill for Peter Swan, Eoin Quinn for Brian Clarke, Shane Dowling for Dylan Bissett.

U16 Summer League Table after Round 2