Skryne edge Killary Emmets in a tight game in Syddan
Killary Emmets 0-13, Skryne 1-12
Coolrite U19A Football Championship Group B – Round 3
Skryne left it late to overhaul a determined Killary Emmets in an entertaining game in Syddan. Skryne were the better side overall and deserved their victory, but they will have been disappointed with the amount of easy chances that were squandered throughout including a number of scoreable frees. Indeed Skryne had twelve wides to Killary’s two. This was mainly due to excellent defending from the men in green and gold who made Skryne work hard for every score.
Billy Smyth opened Skryne’s account inside the opening minute with a free, before Killary hit a hat-trick of points, two from Eoghan Dillon and one from their talisman Rian McConnell. Billy Smyth hit a second point for Skryne but Killary added two more with Cillian Rafferty and the impressive Daragh Weldon stretching their lead to three points. Skryne had an excellent goal chance midway through the half when Andrew Canavan won the ball in the left corner before unleashing a rocket of a shot which hit the right-hand side post and rebounded away to safety. Charlie Swan, who had another good game for Skryne, picked up a pass from Mark Swan before sending over a fine point from wide on the right. John Finnerty finished off a fine move for Skryne when he slotted over to reduce the deficit to the minimum. Andrew Canavan equalised four minutes later despite close attention from the Killary Emmets defence. Killary replied again with Daragh Weldon converting a free. Skryne almost bagged a goal with five minutes remaining in the half after they broke quickly out of defence and worked the ball forward to Billy Smyth who advanced towards the Killary goal from the right-hand side of the penalty area before hitting a powerful shot which was parried away for a 45 by Emmets’ goalkeeper Shayne Kelly. Skryne missed the 45 and then Killary attacked forward and Cormac Dardis popped over another point. Conor Donohoe sent over an excellent point for Skryne, but again Killary had a response with Rian McConnell firing over a long range free deep in first half injury time to see the Emmets lead by two at the break. Killary Emmets 0-08, Skryne 0-06
The first five minutes of the half saw both sides registering wides before Mark Swan finally opened the scoring with his trusty left foot. Daragh Weldon hit a double(1 free) to increase the Emmets lead. Two pointed frees from Billy Smyth again reduced the deficit to just a single point, but Weldon popped over two more frees to leave a goal between the sides with 9 minutes remaining. Skryne fought on with Billy Smyth pointing his fifth of the game before Ciarán Quinn added another for Skryne. Skryne finally got a break five minutes from time when Billy Smyth’s free dropped into the small square and a tussle for possession ensued. Robert Gallagher was quickest to react to the loose ball and punched to the net to see Skryne take the lead. Liam Donohoe who had only come on as a sub, made an immediate impact when he struck a point from the left corner to leave a goal between the sides. Killary did add a pointed free a minute from time, but Skryne held on to register their second victory in the competition.
Next up is the rescheduled fixture with Walterstown who like Skryne have two victories in this competition after beating Killary Emmets in their opening game and receiving a walkover from Oldcastle.
Skryne: Luke O’Brien; Seán McCarthy, James Reeves, Riain McConnell; Cillian Moss, John Finnerty(0-1), Ciarán Quinn(0-1); Robert Gallagher(1-0), John O’Regan; James Mangan, Conor Donohoe(0-1), Mark Swan(0-1); Charlie Swan(0-1), Billy Smyth(0-5, 4fs), Andrew Canavan(0-1).
Subs used: Stephen Corry, Liam Donohoe (0-1)
Fancy a flutter!! Why not play Skryne GFC’s online BLOTTO. Jackpots of up to €10,000. Click here to play.
