Skryne 2-13 St. Patricks 4-06
Meath LGFA Junior B Football Championship – Final
Last Saturday Skryne ladies set the scene for what can only be described as nail biting and thrilling final against St.Patrick’s in Donaghmore Ashbourne.
The Skryne starting team was unchanged from the semi-final. Skryne were first out of the blocks launching an attack on the St. Pats defence however this effort fell wide. St. Pats were up next with an attack of their own which ended up in the back of the Skryne net. Determined not to let them away, Skryne responded with a well-worked point from play from Sophie Finnegan. Things were spiced up when Skryne conceded a penalty which St. Pats capitalised on, leaving the score with only 6 minutes gone Skryne 0-1 to St.Pats 2-0. Down the other end, Skryne earned a free of their own with Ruth Moore stepping up to put a point on the board for Skryne. In the next two minutes both teams were awarded frees, both sailing wide along with two chances for the sides again failing to convert. Skryne were beginning to settle down as they scored another free. St. Pats responded with another point of their own, which was soon to be cancelled out by Sophie Finnegan who scored a rasper of a goal from a skilled turnover from Skryne’s half backs to work the ball into the hands of Sophie. Skryne were stepping up the gears with some fine points from Catriona Keogan and Sophie Finnegan. Skryne had another free opportunity but unfortunately it sailed wide. Skryne’s midfield Orla and Ashling and their defence of Alannah Cooney, Megan O’Brien and Aine O’Brien were applying serious pressure to St. Pats’ attacking line forcing three chances wide. Skryne finished the first half with another free added to the scoreboard. Half time score: Skryne 1-6 St.Pats 2-1.
If the first half wasn’t interesting enough the crowd were set for more thrilling entertainment in the second half with another penalty awarded to St. Pats which they added to their scoreline: this was not the start Skryne had hoped for but with that Skryne responded in the best way possible in getting a goal of their own worked right from Hannah Dardis down to Ruth Moore showing Skryne weren’t going down without a fight. The next few minutes showed some marvellous defending from Eimear Finnerty, Aoife Swan and Emma Fitzpatrick who turned a St. Pats attack into a Skryne attack moving the ball through both midfielders Orla Craigie and Ashling Bownes who were covering every blade of grass this passage of play, resulting in a free for Skryne which kept the scoreboard ticking over. This was followed by Emma Fitzpatrick winning the kick out which set Susie O’Rourke up for a fine point. Lauren Ryan was introduced to help Skryne push on. St. Pats slipped a point of their own over but it wasn’t long until Catriona Keogan popped another for Skryne. Next up was Lauren Ryan who set up Cody Swan – who just came on – for her first point of the match. At this stage the game was tit for tat with both sides refusing to lie down. With an exchange of points from St. Pats and Skryne’s Sophie Finnegan again getting on the score board. The scoreboard got a rest for a few minutes courtesy of the Skryne defense who had a new introduction of Saoirse O’Regan but St. Pats managed to get another leaving it level. Skryne won a hard earned free which left Skryne up by one point. With both teams being urged on by the fantastic supporters, they could sense that time was nearly up. Both teams were guilty of some squandered shots that could have changed the game. In the 28th minute Skryne received a free for a foul on Orla Craigie, with Ruth Moore converting this it left two between the teams and two minutes left to play. St. Pats launched another attack which managed to sail over the bar leaving just one point in the difference. Skryne had another opportunity to score but it was turned over. St. Pats knew they had just one more chance left to force the game to a draw. Skryne’s determination and heart shone through, and as they applied serious pressure St. Pats’ effort was forced wide. As Hannah Dardis kicked the ball out the Referee blew the whistle which was music to the Skryne players and supporters ears.
Final Score Skryne 2-13 St.Pats 4-6.
Orla Craigie was awarded Player of the match, followed by cheers of jubilation when captain Catriona lifted the cup .
Skryne ladies would like to thank everyone who came out and showed their support on Saturday!
Skryne Team: 1. Hannah Dardis 2. Aoife Swan 3. Eimear Finnerty 4. Aine O’Brien 5. Emma Fitzpatrick 6. Alannah Cooney 7. Megan O’Brien 8. Orla Craigie 9. Aisling Bowens 10. Morgan Swan 11. Catriona (0-2) Keogan 12. Eimear O’Brien 13. Sophie Finnegan (1-3) 14. Ruth Moore (1-6) 15. Eimear Clarke.
Subs: Susie O’Rourke (0-1) for Clarke, Lauren Ryan for E. O’Brien, Cody Swan (0-1) for A. O’Brien, Saoirse O’Regan for Cooney
