A great weekend was had by our U14 boys, representing Co. Meath in the Féile Peil na nÓg All Ireland Finals in Laois/Offaly. The boys did us all proud and represented our club with distinction.
The weekend began on Friday afternoon with a game against our host club, Shamrocks, who are based in Mucklagh just outside Tullamore. It was a good start for Skryne resulting in a 2-10 to 0-0 win. That evening the lads joined 155 other teams in the opening parade to O’Moore Park in Portlaoise. Along the route, they passed the stand where Michael O’Muircheartaigh introduced the team to the large crowd of spectators. Our team captain, Frank Carty, took to the stage and received a commemorative pennant presented by GAA President, Liam O’Neil. After the parade the lads went to meet their host families and settle in for the night before Saturday’s games.
Saturday started with the Round 2 game against Ballinamere/Durrow. With strong performances from Eoin Smyth, Darren Fox, Michael Doherty and Darragh Campion, the Tara boys were top of the group table by full time, with a convincing 5-11 to 0-7 win.
The afternoon saw the final game of our group, when Skryne took on St. Eunan’s from Letterkenny. The Donegal boys were also unbeaten at this stage. Skryne got off to a great start and were soon leading by 0-2 to 0-1. But the referee awarded St. Eunan’s a penalty mid way through the first half, much to the dismay of the Meath side. Skryne raised their game, and just before the half time whistle, Jason Reddy put over two great pointed frees to leave it four points each at half time.
This was a hard fought battle with both teams playing hard but fair. However, with Skryne two points down, they were dealt a major blow when they were reduced to fourteen men for a second yellow card. The young men of Tara played for their lives but just couldn’t get the goal they badly needed. They were a man down and attacking at every chance. St. Eunan’s broke forward twice and got two goals to break Skryne’s heart. The final score was 0-4 to 3-4, sending St. Eunan’s on to play New York in the semi-final.
Congratulations to Simonstown who brought the girl’s title home for Meath, and also to New York who went on to win the boys division 2 title.
Skryne GFC would like to take this opportunity to thank our host club, Shamrocks, for their hospitality towards the boys and their parents over the weekend, and also the host families who cared so well for the Tara lads over what was a very memorable weekend.
Below are a selection of photos from the games and the parade.
