Skryne repel strong Ballinabrackey second half showing to clinch narrow victory
Skryne 2-11 Ballinabrackey 1-12
Feis Cup. Group B – Round 1
It’s been 10 months since the Skryne Seniors lined out for their last competitive game. Since that last game, Ireland has been battling the relentless onslaught of Covid 19. The return of football feels like the Irish people flexing their muscles as they look to have secured a hard fought victory over the pandemic that has left so many in it’s wake. And what a beautiful evening it was, as the sun shone it’s rays of hope all over the Skryne pitch.
There was a poignant minutes silence before the game commenced to remember Ballinabrackey club stalwart Tommy Quinn who sadly passed away on 01st June. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Skryne hit the ground running in the first half. A Padraig Finnerty pointed free got the scoreboard moving in the right direction. David McGoldrick, who had a superb first half started a move deep in the Skryne defence. He continued his run up the field and received a return pass which he duly laid off to midfielder Harry Rooney who slotted over for Skryne’s second score. A pointed free from the Ballinabrackey full forward opened their account. Colm Doherty added another for Skryne. Bryan Davis announced his return with a screamer of a point from outside the 45 as Skryne took firm control of proceedings. Skryne then added a goal which started from a Stephen O’Brien free in the half back line. Stephen sent the ball forward to Ciarán Lenehan who slipped the ball to Harry Rooney. Rooney drove at the Ballinabrackey defence before squaring the ball to Conor O’Brien who swept a low shot past the advancing Ballinabrackey goalkeeper. David McGoldrick again popped up in the forward line to convert an excellent point as Skryne opened a 7 point gap. The water break broke Skryne’s momentum and a pointed free from Ballinabrackey’s reliable freetaker began a comeback for the visitors who followed this point with a goal which was finished to the roof of the net by their lively no. 13. Another point from Ballinabrackey saw the deficit reduced to just 2 points. However, Skryne opened the gap up again when Ciarán Lenehan galloped towards the Ballinabrackey goal and unleashed a powerful low shot which was saved by the foot of the goalkeeper. The ball spun up into the air invitingly and it was a duel between the goalkeeper and Ciarán Lenehan to get to the rebound quickest. Lenny’s momentum gave him the advantage and he managed to reach highest and get his fist to the ball to finish it to the net. Skryne added 2 further points from Ciarán Lenehan and Rooney again, while Ballinabrackey tagged one in response as the game reached half-time. Half-time score: Skryne 2-07, Ballinabrackey 1-04.
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Skryne found it hard to find their rhythm in the second half and after a healthy return of 2-07 in the first half, the second half was much more barren with Skryne adding just 4 points, 2 frees from Padraig Finnerty, a point from Paddy Fox and a monster of a point from John Morley which cleared the high nets at the back of the goal. Meanwhile Ballinabrackey set about reeling Skryne in making for a nervous finalé for Skryne who found themselves just 2 points ahead as the game reached a conclusion. Skryne to their credit maintained their composure and despite the Ballinabrackey comeback, played some good possession football to ensure the game stayed within their control as they held on to record a first victory in 2021.
Skryne: Ian Gillett; Niall Lenehan, Robbie Clarke, James Hegarty; Stephen O’ Brien, David McGoldrick(0-1), Kristoffer Kinsella; Harry Rooney(0-2), Bryan Davis(0-1); Paddy Carpenter, Ciarán Lenehan(1-1), Patrick Fox(0-1); Conor O’Brien(1-0), Colm Doherty(0-1), Pádraig Finnerty(0-3, 3fs)
Subs used: Frank Carty, Mark Battersby, Jason Reddy, David Carroll, Niall Moreland, John Morley(0-1), Neal Burke
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