A League Division 1 - Round 13. Dunshaughlin 2-08 Skryne 1-19

Dunshaughlin 2-08 Skryne 1-19

A League Division 1 – Round 13

Tonight’s A League Division 1 match in Dunshaughlin between a Skryne side who had already qualified for a semi-final spot and a Dunshaughlin team who had already secured their status in Division 1 for 2019 could have been a dull affair, but local derbies rarely lack intensity and this match was no different. The first half was a close scrappy affair with both sides making efforts to get to know each other. Mark Battersby who had a fine game this evening was quick off the mark when he opened the scoring inside the first minute after Harry Rooney burst forward after gathering the throw-in. A little over a minute later, Skryne were on the front foot again as Darragh Campion made a mazy run through the heart of the Dunshaughlin defence and fired a rasper of a shot towards the Dunshaughlin goal only to see his shot rebound off the post and away to safety. A pointed free from Paddy O’Rourke was quickly followed by Dunshaughlin’s opening score from the dangerous Tadhg O’ Dushláine. Skryne bagged another point from the boot of Paddy O’Rourke before Dunshaughlin fired over three points in a row to move ahead by one. Skryne edged ahead again with Paddy O’Rourke and Batts(with a fine left footed score) both on target. A mix-up in the Skryne defence saw Tadhg O’Dushláine and Cian Gallogy break free in front of the Skryne goal in a two on one. O’ Dushláine squared the ball to Gallogy who finished to the net. Skryne fought back and finished the half with two more points from O’Rourke(1f) and one from the influential Conor O’Brien. Skryne lead by a single point at half-time on a scoreline of Dunshaughlin 1-04, Skryne 0-08.

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The second half started off with Eoin Smyth firing over almost immediately after the throw-in. A Dunshaughlin free cancelled out this effort. Batts and O’Rourke again opened up a three point lead for Skryne, but a sucker punch of a goal from Dunshaughlin saw the sides level again. Dunshaughlin were proving hard to shake off. Paddy O’Rourke steadied the ship with another pointed free. Dunshaughlin almost capitalised on a mistake in the Skryne defence but a fine save from Ian Gillett ensured that the mistake went unpunished. Following the save, Gillett set the Skryne lads on the front foot. Skryne immediately ran at the Dunshaughlin defence and a shot from Conor O’Brien was redirected into the net by Ian Davis for the goal that was to be the killer blow to Dunshaughlin’s challenge. Singles from Mark Battersby and Darragh Campion who tapped over after another mazy run increased Skryne’s lead to six and while Dunshaughlin did pull two back, Skryne finished the strongest with five unanswered points to run out comfortable victors after a stiff challenge from the Dunshaughlin men. Full-time Dunshaughlin 2-08, Skryne 1-19.

Summerhill were victorious in their final game over Donaghmore/Ashbourne this evening and set up a semi-final against Skryne this Friday night in Pairc Tailteann at 7:45pm. The sides will meet for the third time this year with Summerhill holding the upper hand to date with two wins out of two. Skryne will be hoping to buck this trend on Friday evening. Come on ye boys in blue!!!

Skryne – Ian Gillett. Robbie Clarke, Eoghan Greene, Declan Morley. Niall Lenehan, Stephen O’Brien, Ronan McCabe. David McGoldrick, Harry Rooney. Conor O’Brien, Darragh Campion(0-02), Eoin Smyth(0-01). Ian Davis(1-00), Patrick O’Rourke(0-10,8f) , Mark Battersby(0-04).

Subs used – Darren Fox, Aidan Tuite, James Hegarty(0-01), Jason Reddy, Mark Harrington, Frank Carty.