Na Fianna 2 – 13; Skryne 0 – 10
In the second round of the All County A League, Na Fianna handed Skryne their second heavy defeat on consecutive Sundays in Baconstown. Na Fianna were first on the scoreboard in the first minute with a point but this was cancelled out on three minutes by Mark Battersby. The home side went two to the good before Ian Davis on the tenth minute struck over a fine effort from near the right sideline. On twelve minutes Skryne had their best chance of the hour for a goal but a misjudged pass was easily dealt with by the backs and playing good direct football Na Fianna immediately posted their fourth point to double their advantage. The Enfield men increased their tally to five points before Mark Battersby struck Skryne’s third on sixteen minutes. Two further points brought the score on twenty one minutes, to Na Fianna 0 – 7 Skryne 0 – 3. Then came the crucial score of the game when Na Fianna got the opening goal on twenty four minutes. This now gave them a seven point advantage. A further point was added to their tally but Mark Battersby and Ian Davis each pulled one back before the break to leave the half time score at Na Fianna 1 – 8 Skryne 0 – 5.
Two minutes into the second half saw Cian Byrne reduce the deficit further. However, after three more points from the home side the score line read Na Fianna 1 – 11 Skryne 0 – 6 with fourty minutes gone. Skryne upped their game and reeled off three points from Battersby and Davis (2 ) to bring the difference back to five points Two dismissals for Na Fianna through a mix of yellow and black cards meant that they played the last ten minutes with thirteen men. Skryne also had a man black carded but he could be replaced. Skryne needed a goal and with the numerical superiority they went in search of one. However the Na Fianna defence was resolute and denied them on a number of occasions. However they managed one of their own to effectively kill off the game. Ian Davis scored one more for the visitors but the home side closed out the scoring with two more points to leave the final score at Na Fianna 2 – 13, Skryne 0 – 10.
Skryne: I.Gillett, N. Lenehan, T, McKeown, S. O’ Brien, C. Lenehan, D. McGoldrick, A. Carty, A. Tuite, P. Fox, C. O’Brien, K. Mulvany, I. Davis (5), N. Burke, C Byrne(1), M. Battersby(4). Subs D, Morley for S. O’Brien (14), T Farnan for C.O’Brien (51), R. McCabe for Burke (53). D. Ryan for Morley (54)
Referee Richard Morris, Blackhall Gaels.
