Skryne went into the Div 1 Shield Semi Final with some confidence after playing a challenge match against Ballymun Kickhams on a good display. The only down side was that of injuries to players with James Mangan still out and John Finnerty who had picked up an injury in the early part of the Ratoath game. John wasn’t fit to start but had the ankle strapped and was ready to come on if needed. Josh Grendon was also out. Like all teams in Skryne you really need all players fit as numbers are always very tight to add to this there is Fie U15 players also.
Going on that Skryne had made the journey to Duleek who right upto the last game had looked to be heading to the Championship Semi Final and for the last results not to go their way ended up in the Shield Semi Final against Skryne. Playing conditions were ideal and with the evenings cutting back the floodlights would be required. A welcome addition to Duleek was the scoreboard and timer which kept the small crowd updated on the score. The referee got proceedings underway with the 8.00pm throw in as the night drew in and the red sky hovered over Duleek. Duleek registered the first point of the game and this was end to end. Kian Reddy registered first for Skryne. Skryne had control of the first 15 mins and really done with the simple things with a long ball into the Skryne Forwards and caused Duleek / Bellewstown all sort of Problems. Andrew caused DB all sorts of problems while Mark Swan was playing well and laying off the ball and also taking his points at every opportunity.
Skryne’s defence stood really firm and with the back line of Billy Reilly, Scott Armstrong and Ciaran Quinn kept the forward line very quiet throughout the first half. Skryne were dominant al over the field and John O Regan and Oisin Keogh enjoyed plucking the O Neils ball from the night sky. Skryne went into the first water break with a well earned lead.
DB….0-2
Skryne 0-5
After the water break it was a battle all over the field as Alex Currans kick outs were on point and got great distance. Alex only back from injury after sometime out was really at his best again. DB raised it a couple of gears to claw back the deficit and went on the rally. They score two points and Skryne were yet to score. Skryne still kept the ball going route one with Robert Gallagher charging forward he laid a ball off to Reddy only for it to go over the end line and looked like a goal chance was on. Skryne kepth the ball moving and the half forward line were dropping deeper into DB half as they were on the attack to Skryne’s goals. Daniel O’ Kane, Robert Gallagher and Sean Mc Carthy worked really hard and there was some fantastic turnovers. Skryne registered two more points with Keogh and Nolan adding to the scoreline. DB just before half time went on the attack to register the first goal to give them a lift just before half time.
Halftime Score
Duleek / Bellewstown 1-04
Skryne 0-7
The second half got underway and it was a very even battle. Skryne had share of the spoils going into the water break as the half back line threw themselves at every ball. James Reeves, Rian Mc Connell and Jack Swan were really busy with both halfback lines make it hard for the Forwards to break through for a score. O Regan was in top form and some of the high fielding was a joy to watch. Skryne changed there ways of attack in the second half but certainly had to work alot harder to get the scores. O Regan registered another point as Swan also added to the tally. With 35mins gone it was now 1-4 to 0-9 in favour of Skryne. Things were going as planned. It was on 38mins that things turned against Skryne and all the hard work that was done was to unfold. DB went on the attack when they took a shot on goal. Reilly made a fantastic diving block and for the rebound only to go to a DB player and the ball was tapped to the back of the net. It was a killer blow for Skryne who had really given it everything and this seemed to sap the energy out of Skryne. Skryne continued on and a point a few minutes later for Skryne gave them a lift that they needed. Skryne kept the heads up and registered another point for the referee to blow the whistle for another water break half way into the second half
Second half water Break,
Duleek / Bellewstown 2-05 (11 Points)
Skryne 0-11 (11 Points)
It was from here on that things just didn’t happen. DB registered the first of the points and went on to registered a further 5 Points. Skryne struggled to get the ball past the halfway line and after a well contested game for 45 mins Skryne had lost control. Skryne at this stage knew they had to give it everything and the welcome sight of John Finnerty who has plenty of pace upfront was introduced.Also brought on the field was Cillian Moss and Cathal Lenihan who both added some strength to the backs. Skryne threw everything at DB as they went in search of a goal of their own but it wasn’t to be. With Skryne pushing everyone up forward and Six points behind there was gaps left in the defence. DB registered another goal in the dying parts of the second half and this was the final nail for Skryne. Skryne left Duleek loosing by 9 points but as you can read from the repost it was a very tight contest for the majority of the game. Skryne were unlucky to be in a very tough group with St Colmcilles and Dunshaughlin who now go onto contest the final. Ratoath who was also in Skryne’s group will go onto contest the Shield Final with Duleek / Bellewstown. This is a very young side and injuries have played a major part. With Seven players who are moving to adult Gaelic next year and the remainder to play Minor Gaelic this has the makings of a very good panel next year and will also be in Div 1.
The best of luck to the players moving up next year and as we said “This is not the end of a journey but just the beginning”
Skryne’s senior has a bright future ahead of them with all the underage players moving up.
Skryne panel (Back Row L-R)
Sean O’ Regan (Management) Alex Curran, Scott Armstrong (Captain), Billy Reilly, John Finnerty, John O Regan, Luke O Brien, Robert Gallagher, ark Swan, Cathal Lenihan, Oisin Keogh, Sean Mc Carthy, Josh Grendon, James Reddy
(Front Row L-R)
Cillian Moss, James Mangan, Daniel O Kane, Rian Mc Connell, Ciaran Quinn, Jack Swan, James Reeves, Paddy Wright, Kian Reddy, Andrew Nolan, Ben Armstrong.
