Skryne ease past Simonstown to secure top two spot
Simonstown Gaels 1-08 Skryne 0-18
A League Division 1 – Round 11
Skryne sported a new crisp white set of O’Neills jerseys as they entered the arena in Simonstown this evening to play the reigning county champions in Round 11 of the A League. Skryne looked hungry from the start when straight from the throw-in Harry Rooney galloped down the field and tapped over the opening point of the game. This was the first of 8 first half points all from play from the clinical Skrynemen. At one point Skryne lead by 7 points to a solitary point from Simonstown with Paddy O’Rourke bagging four while Mark Battersby, Conor O’Brien and Ian Davis all got their names on the scoresheet as Skryne set a blistering pace. Simonstown did have an excellent chance of a goal midway through the half when Mark Gardiner put Eanna Donoghue through on goal. Ian Gillett rushed off his line to narrow the angle. Donoghue shot but saw his effort hit the butt of the post and rebound away to safety. Simonstown narrowed the gap with 3 late points to improve the look on the scoreboard, but Skryne were well worth their lead in what was an impressive first half. Half-time score: Simonstown Gaels 0-04, Skryne 0-08
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Skryne kicked off the second half with 3 early points to extend their lead. Paddy O’Rourke pounced on a poor kickout to register Skryne’s first point of the half. He followed this up with his 6th point of the game before half time substitute Jason Reddy bagged a fine point to open his account. Donie Ryan turned defence into attack as he strode up the field and slotted over Skryne’s 12th point, all from play. Paddy O’Rourke added 2 frees to open up an 11 point gap. Simonstown badly needed a slice of luck and this was to come in the shape of a soft penalty when a Skryne defender was adjudged to have fouled his opponent inside the penalty area when both appeared to be fighting for possession. Mark McCabe gave Ian Gillett no chance as he slotted the ball into the left corner. Skryne replied with an excellent point from Mark Battersby. Simonstown chalked up 4 points in a row to reduce the gap to 5 points. However Skryne didn’t panic and never really looked in danger of losing this game. Late points from Paddy O’ Rourke and Conor O’Brien put the icing on the cake capping a fine Skryne performance on the night. Full-time Simonstown Gaels 1-08, Skryne 0-18.
Skryne – Ian Gillett. Timmy Lennon, Stephen O’Brien, Declan Morley. Ciaran Lenehan, Donie Ryan, Ronan McCabe (0-1). David McGoldrick, Harry Rooney(0-1). Paddy Fox, Mark Battersby (0-2), Conor O’Brien (0-2). Aidan Tuite, Patrick O’Rourke (0-10, 4f), Ian Davis(0-1).
Subs used – Jason Reddy(0-1), Darren Fox, Niall Lenehan, Dermot Brennan, Frank Carty and Darragh Campion.