Skryne see off dogged Ballinabrackey
Skryne 1-15 Ballinabrackey 0-10
All County A League Division 1 – Group D, Round 2
Skryne had their first competitive home game since 03rd March when they took on South Meath side Ballinabrackey in the second round of the rebooted League on a pleasant evening(apart from the odd light shower) in Fr. McManus Park. Underfoot conditions were quite slippy early on but improved as the match went on. The pitch was perfectly turned out as usual. Skryne welcomed back a number of absentees with Stephen O’Brien, David McGoldrick, Darragh Campion, Ian Davis, Bryan Davis and Conor O’Brien all featuring in today’s game having missed the opening round.
Ballinabrackey were fastest out of the traps with 2 quickfire pointed frees inside the opening 2 minutes. Harry Rooney has become a real scoring threat for Skryne and he got the first of his 2 points when he galloped through the heart of the Bracks defence and tapped over. Pádraig Finnerty’s accuracy from placed balls is also proving an excellent additional weapon to Skryne’s arsenal. His converted 45 drew Skryne level. Brother Niall continued his bright start to his Senior career with a point from the right hand side before Mark Battersby added Skryne’s fourth from a free. Another pointed free from the Bracks kept them in touch. Ballinabrackey had a chance of a goal but the excellent Rooney repelled the shot with a brilliant last ditch block. The ball was worked up the field and Skryne won a free which was converted by Mark Battersby. Skryne lead by 0-5 to 0-3 when the referee blew for the first of the water breaks. Ballinabrackey plundered 2 more frees following the resumption to draw level with Skryne. Harry Rooney got his second of point of the game to edge Skryne ahead again. A pointed free for each side, Skryne’s coming from the boot of Mark Battersby, finished off the scoring in the opening half. Half-time score: Skryne 0-7, Ballinabrackey 0-6.
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Darragh Campion opened the scoring for Skryne in the second half after Harry Rooney broke down a kickout to Conor O’Brien. OB sent the ball forward to Bryan Davis who laid off to Campion. Campo made no mistake. Niall Finnerty added a pointed free a minute later. Ian Davis was next to hit the target for Skryne after a brilliant run from midfielder Tommy Carpenter drew in the defence before the ball was shifted to Davis who duly sent the ball over to open up a four point gap. The Bracks tagged on their first point from play 11 minutes into the second half. A Mark Battersby free restored the four point gap as the second water break halted proceedings. Another Pádraig Finnerty place kick increased the gap to five, but 2 points from Ballinabrackey reduced the deficit back to three with a little over 5 minutes remaining. Mark Battersby and Padráig Finnerty pointed 2 more frees with the Bracks bagging one in reply. The game moved into injury time and Mark Battersby intercepted a short kick out from the Bracks keeper. Batts made no mistake and blasted past the keeper for the only goal of the game. A Bryan Davis point followed to put the icing on the cake. Full time score: Skryne 1-15, Ballinabrackey 0-10.
The new Skryne forward line are beginning to gel but special mention to Harry Rooney in midfield and Robbie Clarke in defence who were excellent throughout.
Skryne: Des McAviney; Robbie Clarke, David McGoldrick, Niall Lenehan; Stephen O’Brien, Andrew Moore, Paddy Carpenter; Harry Rooney(0-2), Tommy Carpenter; Shane Smyth, Conor O’Brien, Darragh Campion(0-1); Niall Finnerty(0-2,1f), Mark Battersby(1-5, 5fs), Pádraig Finnerty(0-3,3fs).
Subs used: Bryan Davis(0-1), Eoghan Greene, Ian Davis(0-1), James Hegarty, Michael Doherty
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