A League Division 1 - Round 10. Skryne 2-18 Syddan 3-11

Skryne 2-18 Syddan 3-11

A League Division 1 – Round 10

There was a lot at stake in this A League match in Skryne yesterday evening, with neither side having bagged a win in this year’s League and both desperately needing full points to extract themselves from the relegation dogfight. Skryne have been thwarted by an injury crises this year which has denied them the chance to field their strongest team. Last night was no different as star forward Mark Battersby joined the injury list and was unable to play after picking up a heavy knock on Sunday against Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

While Skryne had a difficult night in general struggling to put away a stubborn Syddan outfit, Paddy O’ Rourke proved to be the difference between the sides putting on a masterclass of forward play, amassing a tally of 1-11 on the night, 1-06 of this tally from play to ensure Skryne got the victory they needed.

Syddan settled quickest in this game and had two points on the board inside the opening minute. However, Skryne took control at midfield and racked up five points without a reply to race into the lead. Syddan got back on terms with three of their own and it was nip and tuck until the 23rd minute of the half when a point from the excellent Colm Doherty opened a three point gap. This was quickly followed by a goal from Ian Davis who was set up by O’Rourke in front of the goals and he made no mistake when smashing the ball into the back of the net. Syddan picked off a point two minutes later and then hit a fine goal of their own when one of their attackers found room on the right hand side and blasted the ball into the top corner of the Skryne net leaving only two points between the teams at half-time. Half-time score: Skryne 1-09, Syddan 1-07.

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Skryne came out flying in the second half and registered their second goal inside the opening minute of the half. Ciaran Lenehan launched a high ball in towards Paddy O’Rourke. Paddy spotted that the ball was going to drop short and bounce off the hard ground. O’Rourke stood his ground while the full-back rushed out only to see the ball bounce over his head and into the waiting hands of O’Rourke who planted it past the keeper. Similar to the first half, Syddan cancelled out this goal with a goal of their own when they were awarded a penalty, which was dispatched to the back of the net. Skryne hit a period of dominance and looked to have put the game to bed by the midway point of the half when they hit six points in a row to lead by 2-15 to 2-07. However Syddan had other ideas and again fought back with the next three points in a row before Paddy O’Rourke seemed to steady the ship with another point. From the kickout Syddan launched a slick attacking move which finished with their third goal. Another point and all of a sudden the gap was down to two points and Skryne were looking worried. Paddy O’Rourke bagged a final brace of points to secure the victory for Skryne. Full-time: Skryne 2-18, Syddan 3-11.

Skryne: Ian Gillett; Mark Harrington, Michael Doherty, David Carroll, Ronan McCabe, Niall Lenehan, James Hegarty; Ciarán Lenehan, Harry Rooney(0-01); Eoin Smyth, Ian Davis(1-02), Patrick Fox(0-01); Niall Morley(0-01), Paddy O’Rourke(1-11, 5fs), Colm Doherty(0-02)

Subs: Paddy Carpenter, David McGoldrick, Craig Nolan, Neal Burke