SFC. Group B - Round 4. Skryne 1-13, Gaeil Colmcille 0-15

Skryne grab victory from the jaws of defeat!!

Skryne 1-13 Gaeil Colmcille 0-15

Senior Football Championship, Group B – Round 4

David Mc Goldrick’s last gasp winner completed a superb Skryne comeback to snatch a late victory for the boys in blue in this fourth round Championship tie in Pairc Tailteann. Gaeil Colmcille looked odds on to reverse the League Final result when they raced into a four point lead with ten minutes remaining on the clock. However, Skryne had other ideas and with five points without a reply, they completed a memorable comeback to condemn the Kellsmen to their second loss to Skryne in a little over a week.

Skryne played towards the Hospital end in an opening half where they struggled to work their way into the game. Gaeil Colmcille manufactured the first score of the game when Fionn Reilly burst forward only to be fouled close to the Skryne goal. Seamus Mattimoe had an easy task in converting the first of his seven points (4 fs) to get the scoring under way. Fionn Reilly who started off at an electric pace notched up Gaeil Colmcille’s second point less than a minute later. Skryne’s opening score came from Darragh Campion who pointed from the 40 after receiving the ball from Harry Rooney. Gaeil Colmcille added a hat-trick of points with Liam Fergusen, Evan Sheridan and Seamus Mattimoe all finding the target. Conor O’Brien pulled one back for Skryne to keep them in touch as Colmcilles threatened to pull away. Conor O’Brien pounced on a poor kickout from the Kells keeper and was fouled in a dangerous position to give Skryne a chance to close the gap further. Paddy O’Rourke made no mistake with the free and he followed this with another pointed free a minute later after Stephen O’Brien was taken down following a burst forward. Fionn Reilly who again threatened the Skryne goal, won a free to give Seamus Mattimoe another chance which he duly struck over. A Liam Fergusen snap-shot from just outside the Skryne penalty area crept narrowly wide of the foot of the post much to the relief of the Skryne support. Brian Hanlon who also impressed for the Kellsmen pointed a free of the soft variety close to the end of the half, but it was Darragh Campion who completed the first half scoring with his second of the match to reduce the gap to two points at half time. Half-time score: Skryne 0-05, Gaeil Colmcille 0-07.

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Skryne were smartly out of the traps in the second half as Darragh Campion tore through the centre of the Gaeil Colmcille defence in the opening minute of the half before releasing Conor O’Brien who planted the ball in the back of the Gaeil Comcille net to put Skryne into the lead for the first time in the game. A Seamus Mattimoe brace from play ensured that the lead was short-lived. However, Skryne drew level again when Bryan Davis and Paddy Fox combined before slipping a pass to Eoin Smyth who split the posts with a fine point. Two frees from Mattimoe and Brian Hanlon edged the Kellsmen ahead once again. Paddy O’Rourke pointed a free for the men in blue to keep the minimum between the teams. Gaeil Colmcille added three more from Martin Barrett, Seamus Mattimoe and Brian Hanlon who was enjoying a good second half. Darragh Campion set off on another signature run through the Gaeil Colmcille defence, playing a 1-2 with Paddy O’Rourke before slotting over. Another Brian Hanlon effort left four between the sides with ten minutes to go. It was all Skryne from then on as they mustered up the traditional Skryne fighting spirit to haul the Kellsmen back with Stephen O’Brien scoring an excellent point after racing forward from his corner back position. Two Paddy O’Rourke frees drew Skryne closer, before Bryan Davis sent over another to level the match with only a minute remaining. Skryne had all the momentum at this stage and the men from Kells looked a spent force. Veteran midfielder David Mc Goldrick found some space in front of the Kells goal and displaying the calmness that comes with experience, he stroked the ball over the bar to send the Skryne supporters into wild celebration. Final score: Skryne 1-13, Gaeil Colmcille 0-15.

Skryne are sitting pretty on the top of Group B with only one round remaining. Well done to all the team and Management on a superb gutsy performance.

Skryne – Des McAvinney; Robbie Clarke, Eoghan Greene, Stephen O’Brien(0-01); Ciarán Lenehan, Donal Ryan, Eoin Smyth(0-01); David McGoldrick(0-01), Harry Rooney; Conor O’Brien (1-01), Darragh Campion (0-03), Patrick Fox; Ian Davis, Paddy O’Rourke (0-5, 5fs), Mark Battersby.

Subs: Bryan Davis(0-01), Niall Lenehan