Simonstown too hot to handle for Skryne
Simonstown Gaels 2-11 Skryne 0-10
Feis Cup. Group B – Round 2
Simonstown is currently home to a Covid 19 vaccination centre. Skryne players and supporters were advised to use the back entrance to avoid crowds. This was a close as Skryne were to get to a smash and grab in this encounter as they toiled against a dominant Simonstown side.
Both teams welcomed back their Meath Senior representatives.
Skryne struggled to breach the Simonstown rearguard for most of the game as the North Navan men were very effective at retreating quickly behind the ball, and then breaking out at speed as Skryne’s attacks were snuffed out. Indeed Skryne really only began to look threatening with the introduction of Mark Battersby at half time with the veteran scoring 3 fine points in the second half.
Skryne did open the scoring inside the first minute with Padraig Finnerty tapping over an early free. Simonstown tagged on a point of their own before hitting a goal just before the first half water break when a swift interchange of passes released the corner forward(#15) in on goal and he made no mistake as he slipped the ball low past Ian Gillett in the Skryne goal.
Simonstown upped the ante after the water break as they added 4 more points without a reply from Skryne. Darragh Campion got his first point of the day when Skryne took a quick free on the right hand side to Padraig Finnerty who laid off to Darragh and he hit a fine shot with his left foot to split the posts. Simonstown bagged the next 2 points, 1 a 45 from Seán Tobin, before Harry Rooney and Darragh Campion pointed for Skryne to leave the half time score Simonstown Gaels 1-07, Skryne 0-04.
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Skryne drew first blood in the second half when substitute David Ratbourne exchanged passes with Harry Rooney who fired over his second point of the evening. Simonstown replied with 3 points on the bounce. Darragh Campion tagged on his second of the game, but then Skryne were hit with another hammer blow as Simonstown fielded a Skryne kickout which was swiftly moved to their # 15 who planted the ball past half time substitute Des McAvinney for Simonstown’s and his second goal. This was effectively game over for Skryne. Mark Batts treated the Skryne fans to some vintage finishing with his 3 superb points and Conor O’Brien also got in on the action close to the end with an excellent point from the left hand side, but it wasn’t enough for Skryne as Simonstown ran out comfortable winners.
Niall Lenehan and Stephen O’Brien performed well for Skryne in defence while Harry Rooney and Darragh Campion both chipped in with some good scores, but Skryne will be disappointed with their performance and will need to improve before their next outing against Na Fianna next week.
Skryne: Ian Gillett; Niall Lenehan, Ciarán Lenehan, Eoghan Greene; Kristoffer Kinsella, Stephen O’Brien, Darragh Campion(0-3); Harry Rooney(0-2), David McGoldrick; Patrick Fox, Robbie Clarke, Frank Carty; Conor O’Brien(0-1), Bryan Davis, Pádraig Finnerty(0-1, 1f)
Subs used: David Rathbourne, Mark Battersby(0-3), Des McAvinney, Michael Doherty, Niall Moreland, John Morley, James Hegarty
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