Late Looby goal earns Skryne a deserved draw
Skryne 2-13, Rathkenny 2-13
Premier Football Championship. Division 5 – Round 3.
A late goal from James Looby looked to have sealed a dramatic victory for Skryne by 2-14 to 2-13, but a cross reference of the scores with referee Stephen Murphy dampened Skryne’s celebrations as he confirmed that the game had ended in a draw on a scoreline of 2-13 each. Nevertheless, Skryne deserved to get a result from this game after showing excellent spirit and teamwork throughout. Skryne had fine performances from their young guns who were well supported by the more experienced players.
Rathkenny lined out with 47 year old Meath legend Donal Curtis taking his place at corner forward. The young man bagged a total of five points(three frees) for Rathkenny as he looked to have guided them to victory. However, with the last attack of the game, it was one of Skryne’s elder statesmen James Looby who was quickest to the break after a high ball was launched into the Skryne full forward line by Aidan Gill. Looby had pushed forward from his centre back position as Skryne hunted a late goal. Looby showed great strength and composure when he fetched the break and held off two Rathkenny defenders before sending the ball past the advancing keeper to snatch an unlikely draw for Skryne who had been seven points down at the last water break.
On a perfect evening for football in Fr. Mc Manus Park, it was Skryne who got off to a great start in the first quarter. Rathkenny were first to register a score, a point from their excellent number 15 who tormented the Skryne defence throughout the game and amassed a personal tally of one goal and five points(one free) but then Skryne hit the next five points without a reply, two from Cian Reddy and one each for Aidan Gill, Allan Carty and Michael Swan. Rathkenny added two points of their own before Cian Reddy sent a delicious ball into Allan Carty who fired over Skryne’s sixth point. Donal Curtis kept Rathkenny in touch when he hit a double before the first half water break. Skryne 0-6, Rathkenny 0-5.
The second quarter was all Rathkenny’s. It was their number 15 who hit a goal and two points in a three minute spell immediately after the water break to put Rathkenny in the driving seat in the game. The goal coming after their number eight ran at the Skryne defence and laid off to number 15 who fired the ball to the left hand side of the net. Rathkenny went further in front when a high ball was sent into the Skryne full back line. The ball was broken down to their marauding number 7 who made no mistake when he sidestepped and shot to the back of the Skryne net. Cian Reddy and Colm McLoughlin pulled two points back for Skryne who finished the half five points down. Skryne 0-8, Rathkenny 2-7.
[metaslider id=18622]
Rathkenny continued to exert pressure on Skryne in the third quarter, adding five points to a single point for Skryne from Colm McLoughlin before ten minutes had elapsed. Skryne manager David Harrington made a tactical switch when he introduced James Keane to take over from Felim O Rourke between the sticks. O’Rourke was shifted to full forward and began to cause all sorts of problems as Skryne went more direct with their attacks. The change paid immediate dividends with O’Rourke hitting two points in as many minutes and almost bagged a goal, but saw his shot deflected out for a 45. Rathkenny immediately switched James Macken back to full back in an effort to reduce O’Rourke’s effectiveness. Skryne trailed by 2-12 to 0-11 at the water break but had their tails up.
Points from Aidan Gill and Kevin Reilly with a single reply from Donal Curtis edged Skryne closer. Then came the first goal. Colm McLoughlin sent a ball to Aidan Gill who fired a low shot from distance which arrowed perfectly into the bottom right corner of the net as the game reached the end of normal time. Two minutes into injury time, James Looby stepped up to grab the equalising goal much to the delight of the Skryne supporters.
Skryne had excellent performances all around but young guns Aidan Gill, Jack Swan and Cian Reddy deserve a special mention. Skryne were also delighted to welcome back the talented goalkeeper James Keane who looked assured in the Skryne goal when he came on in the second half.
Skryne: Felim O’Rourke (0-2,1f); Shane McEnroy, Jack Swan, Paddy O’Leary; Paul McGoldrick, James Looby(1-0), Colm McLoughlin(0-2); Allan Carty(0-2), Mark Harrington; Seán Cassidy, Aidan Gill(1-3), Paul Bannon; Bryan Clarke, Michael Swan(0-1), Cian Reddy(0-3,1f).
Subs Used: Kevin O’ Reilly, James Keane, Alan Tuite
–
