Minor Football League. Division 1, Round 1. Skryne 1-11 Na Fianna 1-10

Na Fianna 1-10

Skryne and Na Fianna renewed acquaintances in Fr McManus Park last night with Skryne eager to atone for their U17 Division 1 semi-final defeat to the same opposition a little over 2 months ago. On that occasion Na Fianna’s dangerman, full-forward Shane Walsh, was on fire. Skryne started star centre-back Robbie Clarke on Walsh last night and while Walsh still had a good game, Robbie managed to limit his impact and was also very effective in carrying the ball out of defence himself. Skryne were quick out of the traps and were it not for some wayward shooting could have notched up a few early points. However, their first score came on 6 minutes with Colm McLoughlin hitting the back of the net followed by a quick fire point. Na Fianna hit back with a goal of their own when Walsh found a yard of space and finished to the Skryne net somewhat against the run of play. Skryne added 2 more points to stretch their lead to 1-04 to 1-01. Midway through the half Skryne’s talisman midfielder Darragh Campion got a heavy knock to the face resulting in a suspected broken nose. He had to be substituted under the blood substitution rule. Na Fianna upped the ante and narrowed the gap to the minimum with 2 points from play. Skryne restored the 3 point lead with 2 points of their own before Na Fianna finished off the half strongly with 2 further points to leave just a single between the teams at half time. Half-time score was Skryne 1-06 Na Fianna 1-05

The second half was a tight affair with both teams trading scores throughout. Na Fianna were first to register with a point from a free 2 minutes into the half, levelling the scores. Eoin Smyth opened Skryne’s scoring with a fine point from near the 40. Na Fianna replied with another pointed free to level matters again. Skryne brought the influential Campion back on, bandaged like a mummy. He had an immediate impact scoring a point from play. Na Fianna notched on 2 more points from play snatching the lead from Skryne. Skryne drew level again from the boot of Campion. Na Fianna took the lead with 3 minutes to go with another point from play. Skryne worked hard to restore parity and a fine team move resulted in a point from Darragh Campion. Skryne took the lead with 2 minutes to go when they won a free which was converted to put Skryne within sight of victory. Na Fianna to their credit fought right until the end in what was an exciting finale. They had 2 wides inside the last minute of the game from very scoreable positions. Skryne lived dangerously but just managed to hold on for the victory against a good Na Fianna team. Final score was Skryne 1-11 Na Fianna 1-10

Skryne’s defence will not remember the U17 semi-final with any great joy, but they had a much improved performance last night with the full back line coping well despite some sustained Na Fianna pressure, while the half-backs gave good support both in defence and attack throughout. The midfield and forward line were impressive throughout. In fact Skryne scored 1-10 from play with only 1 point from a free.

Skryne: James Keane. Michael Long, Robbie Clarke, Tommy Carpenter. David Carroll, Michael Doherty, Frank Carty. Darragh Campion, Darren Fox. Paddy Carpenter, Eoin Smyth, Colm Doherty. Colm Mc Loughlin, Dean Reddy, Andrew Moore.