Seamus Connolly Catering A League. Division 1A – Round 10. Gaeil Colmcille 0-10, Skryne 2-07

Skryne were in the bottom two in Division 1A when they arrived in Grangegodden this evening and needed a victory and results in some of the other games to go their way to lift them out of the relegation places and put their destiny back in their own hands going into the final round against Ratoath. A second-half goal from Oisín Keogh 5 minutes from time gave Skryne a five point lead and though Gaeil Colmcille pressed forward and reduced the deficit to just three points, Skryne’s miserly defence held out and ensured the 2 points went to Skryne. With both Dunshaughlin and Na Fianna losing their round 10 games, Skryne jumped above them both to fourth from the bottom and ensured that they have something to fight for on the final day against Ratoath. 

Skryne started off the brighter and had two points on the board after only three minutes, the first a free from Ian Davis after Shane Smyth was fouled. The second came when Skryne forced an error on the Gaeil Colmcille kick out. The ball broke loose in front of the Kell’s goal and Padraig Finnerty swung a kick at the ball sending it just over the bar, clipping off the top of the crossbar on its way. Brian O’Hanlon opened Gaeil Colmcille’s account with a free and was to be Skryne’s chief tormentor in the opening half with a tally of four points, three from play. Two more pointed frees from Ian Davis saw the sides level at the 2o minute mark. Skryne’s defence were excellent throughout with David Rathbourne and Niall Lenehan in particular turning in superb performances. With 24 minutes on the clock, Ciarán Lenehan made a superb run in on goal and was unlucky to see his shot batted away by Kells netminder Barry Farrelly. Two minutes later it was Lenehan again who made another burst from midfield before slipping James Reeves in on goal. Reeves showed great composure as he blasted the ball past the advancing Farrelly for Skryne’s opening goal. Barry Farrelly pointed a free for Gaeil Colmcille to reduce the deficit to two points at half-time. Gaeil Colmcille 0-05, Skryne 1-04.

Gaeil Colmcille opened the scoring in the second-half with a point from Ajay Tormey. Ian Davis added another two pointed frees for Skryne to leave a goal between the sides at the midway point of the half. Ajay Tormey fired over his second point and Barry Farrelly added another free for the Kellsmen as they reduced the deficit to just a single. Ian Davis had made way for Conor O’Brien who made a welcome return to the team after a long spell out with injury. Padraig Finnerty took over free-taking duty and he made no mistake with a free in front of the Kells goal. Skryne were tenacious in their tackling throughout this encounter, with Conor Donohoe another to make a big statement with his tackling and reading of the game. Skryne’s goal came from a turnover in the middle of the park. Shane Smyth then sent a beautiful lofted pass over the Kells full-back line. Oisín Keogh ran towards the Kells goal to try and fetch the ball and met goalkeeper Barry Farrelly coming the other way. Both jumped to get a punch on the ball. It was Keogh who got the decisive touch directing the ball into the bottom right corner of the net as Skryne moved five points clear. Gaeil Colmcille pressed forward in search of scores and managed to add two pointed frees, but Skryne held firm and recorded a fantastic victory!! Gaeil Colmcille 0-10, Skryne 2-07

Skryne: Cian Donohoe; David Rathbourne, Andrew Moore, Niall Lenehan; James Reeves (1-0), John O’Regan, John Finnerty; Michael Doherty, Ciarán Lenehan; Conor Donohoe, Padraig Finnerty(0-2, 1f), Shane Smyth; Ian Davis (0-5, 5fs), Oisín Keogh(1-0), Paddy Carpenter.

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