Feis Cup, Group B - Round 2. Navan O'Mahonys 0-04 Skryne 2-19

Navan O’Mahonys 0-04 Skryne 2-19

Feis Cup, Group B – Round 2.

Trim were in All Ireland Final action last week, so Skryne’s opening round fixture in the Feis Cup against the Intermediate champions was postponed and Skryne had to wait an extra week to kickstart their season. Tonight’s venue was a windy Paddy O’Brien Park against a young O’Mahony’s side. Skryne lined out with two of last year’s victorious All Ireland Minor team, John O’Regan and John Finnerty making their Senior debuts, with Finnerty joining brothers Niall and Padraig on the teamsheet.

Davy Byrne’s charges faced into the wind in the first half and yet managed to rack up an impressive half-time lead of 1-09 to 0-02. Indeed it could have been worse for O’Mahonys as Skryne had another goal from Conor O’Brien chalked off due to a square ball. Mark Battersby also had an early shot smothered by the O’Mahony’s goalkeeper. The full forward line of Skryne ran the O’Mahonys lads ragged in the first half with Niall Finnerty amassing 4 points(3 from play) inside the first 10 minutes while Mark Battersby chipped in with 3 points(2 frees) and Conor O’Brien, looking back to his best, with 1-02, the goal coming after Niall Finnerty slipped a lovely pass to O’Brien on the left hand side of the penalty area. O’Brien gave the keeper no chance as he blasted the ball to the back of the net.

Up the other end, O’Mahonys were finding it incredibly difficult to break down the Skryne defence. The Skryne work rate was immense and they turned the ball over on numerous occassions and restricted O’Mahonys to just 2 points in the opening half.

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John Finnerty marked his debut with an excellent point after running through the heart of the O’Mahonys rearguard before shooting over in the opening minute of the second half. O’Mahonys hit the first of their 2 second half points a minute later before Battersby and O’Brien picked up where they left off in the first half adding a point each to their tally. A pointed free on the fifth minute of the half was to be O’Mahony’s last score of the game. Skryne made a raft of substitutions in the third quarter and consequently they didn’t hit their next score until the 18th minute, but this score from the impressive Padraig Finnerty was to unleash a flood of scores as Skryne hit the afterburners in the final quarter hitting 1-06 without a reply, the goal coming from corner back Robbie Clarke who advanced forward to support Darragh Campion who put Clarke in on goal. His first shot was parried by the keeper, but he followed up soccer style and slammed the ball past the keeper to the back of the net.

John O’Regan showed exceptional poise in defence and looked very assured on his debut, picking out some fine trademark passes forward. He was well supported by Frank Carty and Tommy Carpenter who worked tirelessly to thwart the O’Mahonys forwards. Skryne’s full back line of goalscorer Robbie Clarke, Ciarán Lenehan and David Carroll were rarely troubled but swept up everything that was thrown at them ensuring that Ian Gillett had little to do in the Skryne goal. Meanwhile Harry Rooney and Stephen O’Brien were dominant in midfield ensuring that Skryne spent most of the evening on the frontfoot.

Skryne now look forward to Round 3 away to neighbours Ratoath.

Skryne: Ian Gillett; Robbie Clarke(1-0), Ciarán Lenehan, David Carroll; Tommy Carpenter, John O’Regan, Frank Carty; Harry Rooney, Stephen O’Brien; Conor O’Brien(1-4), Darragh Campion, John Finnerty(0-1), Niall Finnerty(0-4, 1f), Padraig Finnerty(0-2), Mark Battersby(0-8, 6fs)

Subs used: Jason Reddy, Neil Burke, Andrew Moore, Timmy Lennon, Jack O’Donnell