Blackhall Gaels 0-7 Skryne 0-9
Skryne overcame the gales and the Gaels of Blackhall in Batterstown yesterday by two points in Div 1 of the A League. That the game was finished at all was of great credit to both teams as the first half was played in Arctic conditions with torrential rain and hail making it almost impossible to play any type of constructive football. Difficult conditions for the players meant entertainment for the few spectators who braved the cold and wintery rain was at a premium and mistakes were made all over the field by both teams.
Blackhall Gaels had the benefit of the elements in the first half but, as stated, the conditions made scoring very difficult and their halftime lead of 0-6 to 0-1 didn’t look sufficient to overcome the Blues on this occasion. Skryne’s solitary score in the first half coming from the boot of Conor O’Brien and while this was matched by Blackhall in the second half Skryne tagged on eight points to win the game 0-9 to 0-7.
Conditions improved slightly for this half and John Morley, Mark Battersby and Paddy Fox were quickly on the scoresheet within the first eight minutes of the restart. Blackhalls only score of this half coming from a free which was brought forward by the referee due to some indiscipline in the Skryne ranks. Apart from this indiscretion the second half belonged to the visitors and they gradually got on top to record a win which was a bonus considering the difficult weather both sides had to endure.
On such a day it might be unfair to name individual players in what was a good team effort but special mention has to be given to Ian Gillette who must have thought he was a real ‘Fridge’ on the day but still managed a very important save with seven minutes remaining. A goal for the Gaels at this point would have been detrimental to the Blues – who wore white on the day which became almost black by the end of the match.
Skryne – Ian Gillette. Neil Lenehan, Ciaran Lenehan, Vinny O’Reilly. Ronan McCabe, Mark Jordan, Adam O’Sullivan. Donie Ryan, Thomas McKeown. Conor O’Brien (0-1), Stephen O’Brien, Paddy Fox (0-1). Brian Davis, John Morley (0-2) 1 free, Mark Battersby (0-5) 4 frees.
Sub used – James Looby.
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