Skryne 3 – 10
Castletown 2 – 13
A goal from Mark Battersby at the three quarter stage proved the main talking point of this game. The Castletown goalie having saved the shot stepped over the line and despite the protestations of the Castletown players the goal was given. In fairness both umpires had good positions and were adamant that it was a goal. Referee Donal Smyth from Navan had no hesitation in awarding the score.
Both sides got it hard to register scores in the opening minutes however it was Skryne’s Ian Davis who eventually found the range on 8 minutes. One minute later Ian again posted a point for the Tara men. Castletown replied with two of their own on 11 and 12 minutes but Skryne with points from Ronan McCabe, Ian Davis, Conor O’Brien and Mark Battersby (2) went five clear by the 25th minute. Castletown pulled one back but Ian Davis again slotted home another to restore the lead. Then on 28 minutes Castletown drove home a well taken goal to leave only two points in it and reduced it further just before the break. The half time score was now Skryne 0 – 8, Castletown 1 – 4.
Within two minutes of the restart Castletown levelled the match but from the kick out Skryne worked the ball down the field to Mark Battersby who goaled from close range. Two quick points for Castletown made it a one point game but Harry Rooney followed up a poor clearance to kick a further point for Skryne on 41 minutes. Then Skryne scored the controversial goal to leave the score at 2 – 9 to 1 – 7. Ian Davis posted another minor leaving 2 clear goals between the sides. However it was Castletown who went looking for the win at this stage and scored 1 – 5 without reply to give them a two point lead with four minutes left to play. This gave them a two point advantage. However Skryne were not finished yet and following a long pass the ball broke kindly for Kevin Reilly who beat the remaining backs to post the score of the game with a well taken goal. Time was effectively up but a controversial late free at the other end resulted in a point for Castletown which saw them gain a share of the points.
Final score Skryne 3 – 10, Castletown 2 – 13
Skryne: Skryne: Ian Gillette, N Lehehan, M. Mulvany, D. Brennan, D. Morley, P. Fox, R. McCabe(1), D McGoldrick, H. Rooney (1), N. Burke, I. Davis (5), C Byrne, C. O’Brien(1) , B. Davis, M Battersby(2-2). Subs: K. Reilly (1 – 0) for N. Lehehan, A. Carty for I. Davis, A. O’Sullivan for C, Byrne
