Huge improvement from Skryne, but Donaghmore/Ashbourne claim victory
Skryne 0-08 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-09
A League Division 1 – Round 4
In a much anticipated A League encounter in Skryne today, Skryne faced up against Donaghmore/Ashbourne for the second time in a week, following last Wednesday’s Feis Cup defeat. Many of the supporters murmured that this would be a real test of the character of this team. The fans and officials were expecting a big improvement from Skryne. And so the stage was set in sunny Skryne. The pitch was in perfect condition after a very welcome dry spell of weather.
Before the throwin, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of the late Brian Smyth. May he rest in peace.
Skryne welcomed back Harry Rooney, Paddy O’Rourke and Tomás McKeown for today’s game but fielded without several regulars including the influential Patrick Fox, Jason Fox, Adam O’Sullivan, Martin Mulvany and John Morley, not to mention our Meath Minor contingent. Skryne were in determined mood right from the off and recorded the first score of the game inside the first minute, a Mark Battersby point from a free. Donaghmore/Ashbourne countered with a free of their own on the 4th minute which Ciarán Ellis pointed, before Mark Battersby put Skryne ahead again 2 minutes later with another free. Donaghmore/Ashbourne pegged Skryne back and then drew ahead with another 2 pointed frees from the boot of Andy Tormey. After less than quarter of an hour, Skryne lost playmaker Paddy O’Rourke to injury in what was a significant blow as O’Rourke had been heavily involved in much of Skryne’s early play. Donaghmore/Ashbourne clocked up another pointed free through Tormey to stretch their lead to 2. Bryan Davis who was Skryne’s best forward on the day, got the first of his 3 points on 18 minutes to reduce the deficit to the minimum. On 21 minutes, a misplaced pass in Skryne’s attack was to prove costly as Donaghmore/Ashbourne moved the ball swiftly down the field to Aidan Hughes who slammed the ball low past Ian Gillett for the game’s only goal. In such a tight encounter, this goal was to prove decisive. Skryne closed the half out with another terrific Bryan Davis point. Half-time score was Skryne 0-04 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-04.
Bryan Davis started the second half in the same way that he had finished the first, pointing from distance to close the gap to 2 points. Donaghmore/Ashbourne added 2 more pointed frees on 10 and 12 minutes before Batts pulled one back from a free. Skryne were battling hard all over the pitch and showed great spirit throughout the game. At one point corner-forward Niall Morley chased back all the way from his corner forward position to the Skryne full-back line and got a hand in to dispossess a Donaghmore/Ashbourne player who looked almost certain to score. This type of tenacity epitomised Skryne’s drive and determination on the day. Conor O’Brien found his range midway through the half when he got a brace of points which brought Skryne back to within a point of Donaghmore/Ashbourne. However, Donaghmore/Ashbourne pulled away again in the last 10 minutes with 3 pointed frees from Tormey. Full-time score was Skryne 0-08 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-09. Skryne can leave with their heads held high today following a much improved performance. Great credit to the Skryne defence who limited Donaghmore/Ashbourne to 1-01 from play and managed to curb the threat of Andy Tormey who scored all but 1 of his 8 point haul from placed balls.
Skryne team: Ian Gillett. Declan Morley, Niall Lenehan, Mark Jordan. Tomás Mc Keown, Ciarán Lenehan, Stephen O’Brien. Harry Rooney, Paddy O’Rourke. Neal Burke, Conor O’Brien(0-02), Bryan Davis(0-03). Donie Ryan, Mark Battersby(0-03(3f)), Niall Morley.
Subs Used: Aidan Tuite, Ronan McCabe, David Lynch
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