A League Division 2 - Round 11. Skryne 3-08, Ballinabrackey 2-07

Skryne 3-08 Ballinabrackey 2-07

A League Division 2 – Round 11

With no leeway or consideration from either the Fixtures Committee or Ballinabrackey, Skryne were forced to play a vital League match just 24 hours before a more important Junior Football Championship match. Inter County players get 14 days free before Championship matches but Club Junior players get less than 24 hours. Unfortunately as a result of tonight’s game Skryne must field tomorrow evening without one of their most influential players in Declan Morley who was carried off tonight with an ankle injury. As well as Declan there were SEVEN other players used tonight who are expected to play again tomorrow. So much for player welfare.

On the longest day of the year and in sweltering heat this evenings game was played at a hectic pace from the outset with no quarter asked or given by either side. So much so that Referee Martin Griffin was forced to book a number of players from each side in order to keep control of the situation. Skryne started brightly and with Mark Battersby back to his best form scoring 3 excellent points they led by 0-4 to 0-1 midway through the half. But they were pegged back late in the half by a well worked Ballinabrackey goal which left the sides level at the break – Skryne 0-6 Ballinabrackey 1-3.

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Again Skryne began the second half very positively and should have goaled in the first minute but Jason Fox’s shot grazed the wrong side of the upright. But it didn’t take long for the goals to come and two from Darragh Campion had Skryne in command with ten minutes to go. Ballinabrackey got their second goal from the penalty spot to give them hope but Jason Fox did get the goal he deserved to put the issue to bed as the Blues took the spoils to keep their promotion hopes alive.

As well as Morleys unfortunate incident Skryne were also in the wars with both Niall Lenehan and Aidan Tuite retiring injuried with Tuite requiring hospital treatment for a serious hand injury.

Skryne had lots of positives to take from this match and there were good performances all round the field contributing to a proper team effort.

Skryne – Des McAvinney. Declan Morley, Eoghan Greene, Niall Lenehan. Paddy Carpenter, Mark Harrington, Dermot Brennan. Aidan Tuite, Ciaran Lenehan (0-1). Darragh Campion (2-0), Brian Davis (0-1), Colm Craigie. Paddy Fox, Mark Battersby (0-3), Jason Fox (1-3).