Surprise Victory for Skryne
Declan Mulvey stars for the Blues
Skryne 3-14 Donaghamore/Ashbourne 2-04
Reserve B League – FINAL
What a game, what a win, what a surprise. Skryne upset the odds and captured this B League final by defeating Donaghamore Ashbourne in a competition played for the first time in this format. This year is the first time, and maybe the last, this B League was confined to third teams of Senior clubs only. Unfortunately not too many teams took it very seriously and walk-overs were common place throughout. The County Committee seemingly didn’t take it too seriously either and just wanted to get it out of the way. So they insisted on it going ahead on the All weather pitch in Dunganny after two clubs refused to play the final on their grounds. Playing the match in a ‘caged pitch’ is very unfair to any spectator who paid good money to watch the final through a grid. The under 17 Division 5 League final on the neighbouring ‘grass’ pitch obviously took preference with official referees appointed as linesmen. No such luxury for the adult game.
Skryne’s last game in this competition was last July, add in the fact that Donaghamore Ashbourne had beaten all comers, including Skryne, easily in earlier rounds and you can see why the Dublin border side were hot favourites. However the Blues, who were forced to field without senior players Eoin Smyth and John Morley, began the game well and had two points on the board before Donaghamore Ashbourne blasted home a brilliant goal to seemingly restore order for the favourites. Skryne settled again and went about their business in a workmanlike manner with six different players getting on the scoresheet. ‘Man of the match’ Declan Mulvey scoring a goal and a point to give Sktyne a five point lead nearing half time. The goal came from a great team move involving Niall Morley, Oisin Gryson and Paddy Carpenter who raced along the end line before crossing for Declan to finish to the net. But the men in green scored another good goal just before the break to leave the half time score Skryne 1-07 Don/Ash 2-02.
The second half saw Skryne completely dominate their opponents and surprisingly were on top in all sections of the field. When Jason Reddy expertly placed Niall Morley for their second goal 18 minutes into the half the game was as good as over. Don/Ash had a player sent off for a second yellow card on 20 minutes and with him went their slim hopes of victory. The Blues added a further goal and five points after this and restricted their opponents to just two points in the entire second half.
As stated, it was a great team effort from the Blues with all twenty players who took part doing their bit for the team. Declan Mulvey relished playing his old club and excelled against his former team mates. Timmy Lennon and Darren Fox marshalled a brilliant defensive unit while Michael Doherty and Oisin Gryson (returning after injury) controlled midfield. Upfront, apart from Mulvey, Niall Morley, Jason Reddy and Sean Cassidy stood out.
After the match County Committee Chairperson Conor Tormey presented the trophy to a proud Skryne Captain Des McAvinney.
Skryne – Des McAvinney. Paddy O’Leary, Timmy Lennon, James Conroy. Paddy Carpenter, Darren Fox (0-2), Cian Lynch. Michael Doherty, Oisin Gryson (0-1). Declan Mulvey (1-1), Brian Smyth (1-1), Sean Cassidy. Jason Reddy (0-2), Niall Morley (1-5), John Quinn.
Subs used – Nicky Hamill (0-2), David Rogan, David Carroll, Shane McEnroy, and Andrew Moore.
Also involved during the year – Colm Booth, Dean Reddy, Paul McGoldrick, Oisin Coyle, Adrian Doyle, Ross McGovern, John Geraghty, Eddie Dunne, Eoin Smyth and John Morley.
