Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2-11 Skryne 2-10
U21 Football Championship, Final
Skryne put in a second half to be proud of in this Under 21 Final against a much more experienced and physically stronger Don/Ash team. Having been well behind at half time and seemingly in an impossible situation the Blues finished much stronger and if Referee David Coldrick had played just half a minute longer we could have brought the game to extra time. Admittedly full time was up when he blew the full time whistle but with the delaying tactics of the opposition who introduced two substitutes in injury time for no good reason other than delay time and break up the play, he could have waited to see who got possession from the last kick out. Add to that, the time it took for him to book two Don/Ash players between the goal being scored and the same kick out must surely warrant some more added time.
Having said that Donaghmore Ashbourne were the better team on the day and thoroughly deserved their win. On a cold November day but with a breeze which had little affect on the game Don/Ash had a great first half in which they missed very few scores and punished every little fault in the Skryne rearguard. Skryne on the other hand found scores once again hard to come by and were only ahead briefly after an excellent move between Niall Lenehan, John Morley and Paddy Doherty which resulted in a penalty early in the game which was expertly put away by Conor O’Brien. Skryne struggled to curb the influence of Jack Giles, Conor Carton and the impressive Aidan Hughes in this half and Don/Ash had a target man and scorer in centre forward Mick Deegan. The South Meath side missed very little and therefore led at half time by 2-6 to 1-2.
This seven point lead became a nine point lead midway through the second even though Skryne began this half like they did the first on the front foot. Even with the score at 2-11 to 1-5 the Tara side didn’t give in and set about reducing the lead bit by bit. They scored five points without reply and seemed to miss as many more. They kicked 14 wides in total and at least six shots landed in Don/Ash’s excellent goalkeeper Jack Hannigans hands. Conor O’Briens second goal of the hour caused panic in an already uneasy Don/Ash team and left the minimum between the sides on the scoreboard. Sadly the referee called a halt to Skrynes gallop with a single point being the difference between the teams at the finish. Don/Ash 2-11 Skryne 2-10.
Overall Donaghmore Ashbourne had more players with senior football experience than Skryne and that probably was the difference between the sides at the final whistle.
Skryne had the most outstanding player on the field in the shape of Harry Rooney. In defence or in attack the big midfielder seemed to be there – in fact he was all over the field for the hour. He just didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. He got great help from his tireless midfield partner Donie Ryan who, as in all the games, tackled as if his life depended on it. Eoghan Greene and Niall Morley gave their all in an overworked defence. Up front Cian Lynch and John Morley gave O’Brien most help. Morley scored five excellent points but I’m sure he would say himself he could have had almost five more in a game of many missed chances – but he was not the only one to miss scores. On another day these attempts would all go over the bar.
The bottom line here is that this group of players can be justifiable proud of their run to the final of this grade – the first Skryne team to reach that stage since 2006. So well done to all involved, you can be sure there are good days ahead for Skryne GFC.
Skryne – Dean Reddy. Eoghan Greene, Niall Lenehan, Niall Morley. Stephen O’Brien, Oisin Gryson, Darragh Campion. Harry Rooney (0-1), Donie Ryan. Jason Fox, Neil Burke (0-1), Cian Lynch. John Morley (0-5), Conor O’Brien (2-2), Paddy Doherty.
Subs used – Sean Cassidy, Stephen Rathbourne (0-1), Timmy Lennon.
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