A League Division 1 - Round 11. Skryne 1-10 Oldcastle 1-05

Skryne 1-10 Oldcastle 1-05

A League Division 1 – Round 11

This evening’s A League game was a battle between two teams who were fighting to stave off the threat of relegation to the second tier. Skryne were missing almost an entire team, most through injury with both Niall Morley and Eoghan Greene the recent additions to the injury list following an on pitch collision in the Na Fianna game last weekend which saw both players taken to hospital. Skryne also had to field without scoring sensation Paddy O’Rourke and sharp shooters Mark Battersby and Paddy Fox. Add in missing stalwarts Ciarán Lenehan, Darragh Campion and Eoin Smyth not to mention the long term injured and you can see why Skryne have found this year’s League campaign difficult to say the least.

Oldcastle looked to be really up for this game and they started off the brightest dominating the early exchanges and hitting 1-03 to Skryne’s solitary point from Ian Davis in the opening quarter. Oldcastle’s goal came from a swift break from defence to attack. A quick exchange of passes saw the Oldcastle forward break in on goal and he finished well past Ian Gillett. Oldcastle squandered numerous scoring opportunities during the opening quarter which could have seen them much further ahead. Skryne finally worked up a head of steam in the second quarter and three points in a row from the excellent Ronan McCabe who had switched into full-forward saw Skryne get a foothold in the game. Skryne had a great chance to take the lead on the 27th minute when a goalmouth scramble saw an Ian Davis effort kept out before James Hegarty got the rebound and saw his shot also saved well and pushed away for a 45. The 45 was taken by David McGoldrick. Colm Doherty fielded to the left of the goal and with his back to goal kicked the ball back over his shoulder and over the bar to leave just a single point between the teams at half-time. Skryne 0-05, Oldcastle 1-03.

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Skryne got the break they needed early in the second half when James Hegarty fielded a kickout from Ian Gillett. He sent an excellent ball into to Colm Doherty who made a burst through the heart of the Oldcastle defence. He slipped the ball to his left to the on rushing Ronan McCabe who palmed the ball to the back of the Oldcastle net to put Skryne firmly in the driving seat. A point from Stephen O’Brien put Skryne further ahead. Skryne missed a succession of chances as they attempted to turn the screw, with no less than 5 wides in the third quarter of the game. Oldcastle pulled one back when their midfielder surged forward and tapped over. Another point from a free on the 20th minute saw Oldcastle close the gap to a single point. However, Skryne introduced Jason Reddy from the bench and his accuracy from frees was to prove vital in the closing stages of the game when he added two pointed frees to see the gap back to three. It was game over from then on as Skryne wound down the clock, picking out the right passes and picking off scores to put the result beyond doubt. David McGoldrick and Colm Doherty finished off the scoring to seal the victory. Full-time: Skryne 1-10, Oldcastle 1-05.

Skryne – Ian Gillett; Mark Harrington, Michael Doherty, David Carroll; Niall Lenehan, Stephen O’Brien(0-1), James Hegarty; David McGoldrick(0-1), Harry Rooney; Colm Craigie, Ian Davis(0-1), Ronan McCabe(1-03); Neal Burke, Colm Doherty (0-2), Paddy Carpenter.

Subs used – Aidan Tuite, Jack Dardis, Dermot Brennan, Darren Fox, Jason Reddy(0-2, 2fs).