Skryne U14’s have had a season so far that any club or team would be proud of. What they have provided is 100% winning record along with determination and true Skryne spirit. They never give up and don’t panic is two words that is embedded in their mind.
The venue for the final was the holy grail of Meath Football on the last day of May 31st with a 7-45pm throw in. Pairc Tailteann has seen many a good games and the history behind the venue can write many a good story and maybe one that has had a bad one. For Skryne it had everything going for them. The dressing room was that of the current Minor team has had many a success, a perfect playing surface and a good referee Martin Dawson also an opposition which was of the same mind set as the Skryne lads to play football and be competitive.
Skryne was going into this unbeaten like that of the U13’s Div 2 that they had previously won. Already having drawn with St Colmcilles on the first game of the spring League Skryne was really up for a tough game in Blistering heat. The crowd of which was split between Skryne & St Colmcilles were basking in the sun eagerly awaiting the throw in.
Skryne lads had done the warm up and the usual team talk and the lads looked calm as the music was being played in the dressing room supplied by one of the players. The Bluetooth speaker blasted out the tunes and was nothing compared to Christy Moore or Joe Dolan. The players remained calm and that’s all that mattered. Skryne players entered the field to the cheers of the Skryne supporters.
Skryne started off brightly with a ball from the paring of Alex Grendon & Shane Smyth. The two lads have been fantastic in the midfield position all year. Shane let a long ball into Niall Finnerty and Niall got the score board operating after 2 mins to register the first point. Alex Curran who has been fantastic in goals all year with his kick outs and saves has really showed what a top class keeper he is. Alex kicked a beautiful ball out to the half back line of Billy Reilly. Billy gave a long ball and it was broke down. The Cilles went on the attack and a high ball that went rustled to the back of the net. Alex was unfortunate as the sun had caused him to lose the vision of the ball in mid-flight. A throw up then commenced in the middle of the field and Cilles regained possession as they had a height advantage. Cilles went on the attack and registered another point. Skryne lads didn’t panic. Alex kicked a ball out to Oisin Keogh and with his fast pace burst forward. Oisin is the younger of the two Keoghs and will be one to watch in the future. Oisin gave a ball into the half forwards of Niall Moreland. Niall gave an inch perfect pass to Niall Finnerty and was brought down in the square it was a Penalty to Skryne as Finnerty was through on goal after 9 mins of play. This was a titanic battle between two skilled teams. Niall Finnerty that we could nearly nickname impossible to mark stepped up to take the penalty. As calm as you like Finnerty struck the ball low and hard into the Right hand corner on the hospital end. Goal and GAME ON!!! It was all level with 10mins gone. The Throw up commenced in the middle of the field as players and spectators drew breath. Grendon who has been fantastic all year one the ball and gave it to Smyth who covers every blade of ground and won’t give in. Smyth gave a pass to Moreland a fast and energetic half forward who will play to the end gave one to Sean Keogh. Keogh struck a ball on the 21mtr line as sweet as a point that you would ever see. Sean is a fantastic player that has showed that he has what it needs to be one of the best full forwards in the County. Cilles responded with a point after the defence of David Rathbourne & Kristoffer Kinsella played the game of their lives. Kristtoffer made it as hard as possible for the Cilles forwards to score but Cilles had to get by David Rathbourne first. In Fact all Skryne’s defence gave an expedition on defending. If the opposition are scorning you’re not going to win and that’s pretty obvious. Cilles had a habit of scoring many goals in the build up to the final and Skryne closed them down at every opportunity. Sam Hawes swept up many a ball and only back from injury didn’t look one bit out of place and is one of the best defenders in the County. Gary Browne fielded some high balls and was playing a captains role. In front of Billy was Oisin Keogh and on the opposite side was Billy Reilly who can read the game well and has a good football brain. Its clever football that wins games. After a couple of battles between both teams Cilles went on another attack. Just outside the 21 the Cilles player was fouled and up stepped there full forward to register a point with 12 mins gone. A ball worked from Curran’s kickout to Oisin Keogh who gave it to Smyth passed a perfect ball off the Shoulder to Cahill and hit it right but luckily Skryne won the breaking ball and John O Regan left it stuck to the back of the net to the joy of the Skryne supporters. O Regan is a young player who is not afraid to kick with both feet and did not look out of place. Cilles started off again from the middle and there was a battle of the Giants with Grendon, Smyth & the two Cilles player battling for every ball. Cilles won the break and went on the attack only for them to register another score from play. Cilles scored a second with a free right on the 21st minute. Skryne once again had a hum dinger of a battle as all players were fighting to keep possession. Skryne launched another attack this time keeping it wide. Skryne switched play to Moreland who was playing exquisite football and the passing was as accurate as you would see. Another quick ball and that man Finnerty was at it again as he struck it to the net at 23mins. Skryne were 5-3 to 1-04 up and cruising. But Cilles being Cilles were not giving up. Cilles launched another attack and registered a point. Half time was coming and both teams were throwing everything at it. Cilles were eager to close the gap and Skryne wanted to extend it as the sun was beating down. Cilles launched another attack from midfield and laid a ball off to their forward. Cilles hit it low for it to go into the net there was three in it. The Referee didn’t get a breath and blew the half time whistle. Cilles were given a life line.
Half time discussions are always kept under wraps in Skryne and some people would love to be a fly on the wall. The lads went into the dressing rooms calm and once again weren’t panicked. Skryne management were happy with the overall performance and yes Cilles scored a goal before half time Skryne lads had control of the game.
The lads came out in the second half to the applause of the crowd. Twenty Five Minutes more was all it would take to see it through and claim the title. Grendon & Smyth went in for the jump and as Smyth held tight he saw Finnerty moving at pace. He gave Finnerty a pin point pass and there was only one place the ball was going and that was into the back of the net. Finnerty struck it sweetly as his brother James who was back on holidays from Villa urged him on. Finnerty had now a hat trick scored on 26 mins and was unmark able. Cilles had tried three players and he is one of the trickiest attackers to mark. He is a team player and urges all his players on. Cilles launched another attack for their defence line and Billy Reilly gave an expositional block and unfortunately the ball bounced kindly into the hands of the Cilles player. Cilles struck a point and registered a second nearly immediately. Cilles moved there Left half Forward into defence and Oisin Keogh followed suit. This brought Keogh into play who immediately went on the attack and a perfect worked pass from Kinsella saw a ball to Rathbourne and onto John Finnerty Keogh moved at pace at struck it into the Right hand corner. The Forwards were moving all over the pitch and really carved Cilles open. The lads at the Forward line now when and where to move. It’s a simple and effective and also a joy to watch. Cilles launched another attack and registered a point from a free. Cilles were finding it hard to come by scores and really had to work hard. The Cilles were not giving in and as the score board clock was ticking away it was looking more likely it was Skryne’s to win. Skryne launched another attack and young O Regan was playing a stormer. He received a perfect pass and shifted to the left only to be brought down. Finnerty stood up and put it over with the left foot on 48 mins. Cilles launched another attack but when the big midfielder was go forward he was stopped in his tracks from the tight defence of Browne. Cilles took the point as there was no room through and the gates were shut tight. A ball worked from Hawes saw Reilly moving and gave a ball into space to run onto. Skryne were still full of running and Cilles were looking tired. Reilly gave a pass to Grendon who saw a gap and hit a perfect ball with the outside of the right foot to O Regan, Moreland was like a freight train that was late for a pick up and ran through the Cilles defence. Moreland buried one in the back of the net and it was game over for Cilles with 51mins gone. Skryne Management and Players kept their composure. Kian Reddy and Jack Swan was introduced and both players who have played superb all season. Kian Reddy was brought in as a half forward and Jack Swan normally as a corner defender was put in as a full forward. Two Johns came off as O Regan and Finnerty were giving a round of applause. Grendon and Smyth must have been floating on clouds and a throw in the middle of the field saw them win the battle yet again. Grendon laid it to Smyth who gave it to Finnerty and with his first touch of the ball saw Swan sealed another goal in the back of the net. It was now 52 mins gone and the Referee Martin Dawson blew the Final Whistle. To the cheers of the Skryne crowd that lads were now Crowned Div 1 Spring League Champions and still remain unbeaten. Gary Browne accepted the cup and the lads celebrated and emphatic win. To the credit of the Cilles Management and Players they knew that Skryne were up for it. Cilles didn’t give in at all and should be proud of getting to a final. They finished in Second place on the league table and will be ones to watch in the future. From a Skryne perspective there were a lot of happy faces and it was a pity that a senior fixture was put on in Skryne the same night as a lot of others missed out on a fantastic game. Div 1 finals only come around once a year !!!
We can’t go without mentioning the super subs. It takes a team to get to the final and all players were always called upon to play full matches. There is so much talent in this squad. Well done to Paddy Wright who can play any position from Corner back to Corner Forward. Paddy scored an abundance of points against Ashbourne. Nathan Chawke is a young player who missed out with the U13’s and came back into the mix with the 14’s a super athlete who is growing in confidence all the time. Scott Armstrong another player who can play anywhere. In recent times we have put him as a corner forward and registered 2-2 points from play to the amassment of the spectators. Scott was always knowing as a defender. The Players are a credit to the club and are most certainly following in the footsteps of the successful Minor team. Up next is a Feile for in Portlaoise on the 25th of June. Thanks to Skryne GFC for the Chips and Pizzas in the RST everyone enjoyed the well-earned break and a cup of tea. The talk was of that of the Final all night into the early hours. Also thanks to the management who have brought the team on in leaps and bounds. Starting with Padraig Finnerty, Martin Brown & Cormac Grendon.
Final Score
Skryne 8-04
St Colmcilles 2-09
The Team is a Follows,
(Goals) Alex Curran
Sam Hawes Kristofer Kinsella Gary Brown ©
Billy Reilly David Rathbourne Oisin Keogh (1-0)
(Midfield) Alex Grendon
(Midfield) Shane Smyth
Niall Finnerty (3-2) Niall Morelan (1-0) John Finnerty
John O Regan (1-0) Sean Keogh (0-1) Killian Cahill (1-0)
Subs : John O Regan for Jack Swan (1-0), John Finnerty for Kian Reddy, Scott Armstrong, Nathan Chawke, Paddy Wright.
