JAFC Group C - Round 1. Skryne 1-07 Dunshaughlin 1-06

Skryne 1-07 Dunshaughlin 1-06

JAFC Group C – Round 1

This was not a game that will live long in the memory with both sides missing a host of chances throughout. However, it did serve up an exciting finale as 13 man Dunshaughlin who lead by 2 points as the game entered injury time decided to chase another score but in doing so left the back door open for Skryne who needed no second invitation as Paul McGoldrick pounced on the opportunity to snatch a last gasp winner for the Skrynemen.

Skryne were first to get on the scoreboard when John Morley slotted over with 4 minutes on the clock. This was to be Skryne’s only score of a barren half that saw them kick 7 wides. Dunshaughlin opened their account with a goal. Some tigerish tackling saw Dunshaughlin turn over the ball. The ball was squared across the face of the Skryne goal where it was palmed to the net by an incoming forward. Dunshaughlin added 4 more points before the break to leave the half-time score Dunshaughlin 1-04, Skryne 0-01. Dunshaughlin also lost a player to a red card 5 minutes before half-time to leave them with 14 men.

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Skryne showed real intent in the second half after an early scare when Des McAvinney was called into action inside the opening minute to make a smart save from a Dunshaughlin shot. Skryne hit 5 points in a row without reply to leave only 1 point between the teams at the midway point of the half. They also hit a further 4 wides during this period. Dunshaughlin finally troubled the scoreboard after 17 minutes of the half. They also had a second dismissal when one of their players received a second yellow, leaving them with only 13 men. This didn’t deter them as they increased their intensity in the latter stages of the half. But for some fine last ditch defending from the Skrynemen lead by the impressive Barry Clarke and some terrific saves from Des McAvinney, Dunshaughlin would and indeed should have bagged a couple of goals to put this game out of reach of the Blues. Despite all of the pressure, Dunshaughlin only managed to convert a free on the hour mark, leaving 3 between the sides as injury time loomed. Craig Nolan grabbed a point back for Skryne which should have been a consolation score. Rather then run the clock down, Dunshaughlin threw men forward in search of another score. An attempted point was blocked down by Jack Dardis and the ball was moved swiftly down the pitch to the Skryne forwards. An attempt at goal was partially blocked by the Dunshaughlin keeper, but poacher supreme Paul McGoldrick was on hand to scramble the ball across the line to see Skryne steal the victory. Full-time: Skryne 1-07, Dunshaughlin 1-06.

Skryne: Des McAvinney; Andrew Moore, Barry Clarke, Jack Dardis; Craig Nolan, David Rogan, Paddy Carpenter; Aidan Tuite, Tommy Carpenter; Ciarán Finnerty, David McGoldrick, James Hegarty; Paul McGoldrick, John Morley, Sean Cassidy

Subs: Mark Harrington, Felim O’Rourke