The Hogan Stand had written a report on all LMFM Minor Championship Games prior to the fixtures and these reviews are always good with a depth of knowledge that takes time to write. Even with their depth of knowledge and reporting nobody really knew who would be playing in a Semi Final prior to the fixture as it had alot of “if, but & what if” around the Div 1 Grp A & B Divisions. In Div 1a table Skryne had to win and so did Trim to add to this Ratoath also had to win and so did Cilles. Hogan Stand mentioned a three way play off of Cilles, Ratoath and Skryne but also Trim were also in with a chance as well. Sounds complicated and it is. Trim had only 2 Points from a walk over with the combined team St Ultans / Cortown Gaels / Roundtowers they received a walk over. Skryne had a win over the same team followed by fantastic win over Ratoath. The last game was all to play for.
The Game :
Skryne were to play Trim at Father Mc Manus Park @ 2.00pm on Saturday 12th of October. Playing conditions were ideal and as always the pitch was in superb condition. The Blue Skies were hanging over Father Mc Manus Park. Martin Dawson was the man in the middle who got the game under way. Trim got proceedings under way and registered the first point with a minute gone. Gary Browne who has been fantastic in goals kicked out his first ball. The ball was broken down by the defence and Skryne launched the first attack. The game was being played at a fantastic pace and Shane Smyth was brought down and won a free. Up stepped Kian Reddy who narrowly put it wide from 35 yards out. The forwards were really putting pressure on Trim. A kick out from the Trim Goal Keeper saw Morland break the ball down to give onto Alex Grendon who slotted the ball over the post to get Skryne underway. Trim launched their own attack and registered two more points on 5 & 6 minutes. Skryne battled hard and fought tooth and nail for every ball. The defense line of Kristoffer Kinsella, Scott Armstrong, Jack Swan, Sam Hawes, John Finnerty & David Rathbourne were outstanding as always. Skryne again over turned a ball and a well worked play saw the ball end up in Kian Reddys hands for him with his trusty boot to slot the ball over from play. Trim ahead by 1 point. Skryne went on the attack and this time Rathbourne saw a break and headed down the wing only to slot the ball inches wide. Skryne were playing well but just hadn’t got into the rhythm just yet. The game swung end to end and Trim had intentions of coming to spoil the party. A trim attack saw them win a free from 30 yards out and they took a score from the free there was now two points in it and 12 Minutes gone. This is when Skryne really clicked and got into the Rhythm. Skryne from defence worked the ball up and Sean Keogh laid a perfect ball to Niall Finnerty who slotted it over the bar. Skryne tails lifted and so did the tempo. The defensive line over turned another ball when John Finnerty gave a pass to Oisin Keogh onto Niall Finnerty. Niall was fouled and took the free himself. The free didn’t have the distance but Grendon was there to fist it over the bar on 15 Mins. The sides were now level. Skryne were causing Trim all sorts of problems up front with Shane Smyth, John O Regan, Niall Morland, Oisin Keogh, Niall Finnerty, Kian Reddy, Sean Keogh & Alex Grendon causing alot of headaches for Trim defence. Skryne defensive line was superb and Skryne saw a weakness and went at it. Skryne gave a ball into Finnerty who turned and slotted it perfectly into the back of the Trim net. Game on !! Skryne again went on the attack when Grendon won a superb ball and ran at the Trim defence to lay off a perfect ball for Finnerty to palm into the goal. Trim were shell shocked and there was 21 Mins gone in the first half and it was 2-04 to 0-04 in favour of Skryne. Trim tried to get a grip of the game again and a long ball in saw Gary Browne take it well to come out with the ball. Gary kicked a long ball out only for him to go over on his ankle. Gary went down clutching his ankle and the game was stopped. There was concern for Gary as the stretcher was called for and Gary was brought into Lillys room. An Ambulance was called for and Gary was taken away to get his ankle checked. We are glad to say that Gary has only done some ligament damage and a bad sprain. Rest the ankle Gary and we all know you didn’t want to go for a spin in the Ambulance . To add to this Skryne are also without Alex Curran another fantastic goal keeper and one that has been so unfortunate with injury and one we hope to see back soon. On came Luke o Brien for the first of the substitutions. Skryne as a group of players are a very tight group of players and to see a player stretchered off is never good for any team. Skryne kicked on and concentrated on what on the game. Skryne really made every possible chance for Trim difficult forcing them to make bad decisions and turned over the ball on a good few occasions. On 25 mins Skryne launchd another attack with Morland moving the ball onto Smyth who gave it to Grendon and registered another point. Smyth in midfield was playing well and the support with him and the 15 men of Skryne were on form. Trim went onto register a point from a free and Finnerty took one back on the stroke of half time.
Half time Score,
Skryne 2-06
Trim 0-5
The second half started as it ended with the first half. Skryne registered 3 points of their own to lay down their intentions. On Seven Minutes of the second half Skryne were in full control and a free won on the 13 yard line right out at the wing saw Finnerty spread a lovely ball across the box for Oisin Keogh & Grendon to drive the fist to the ball and it pass the Trim goal keeper like a rocket. Skryne had registered 1-03 in Nine minutes. Score was 3-09 (18 Points) to Trim 0-5. As they say “Its never over till the final Whistle” Skryne were certainly in cruise control and the team as ne were on point. Passing, movement and team play was a joy to watch as the crowd were being entertained with a perfect game. Skryne launched another attack and it was Finnerty who scored a point from a free. With Skryne in the driving seat Trim launched an attack of their own and a long ball that came in and hit the cross bar to come off the keeper rolled into the Skryne net. Trim had their hopes raised and tried their utmost to spoil it for Skryne. Skryne made changes on the Subs bench and Billy Reilly, James Mangan & Mark Swan got a run on. Skryne registered another point from Reddy and settled the nerves. Trim went on the attack in the latter part of the second half and One goal and two points late on to make the score board look favourable. The final whistle sounded and although there was joyous faces around Father Mc Manus Park news filtered back to the lads in the dressing room that Cilles had won by a point. Skryne lifted the roof of the dressing room and a great effort by management and players now means they have a Semi Final to play from the winners of Summerhill & Donaghmore Ashbourne and the loosers play Simonstown to decide who finishes top. Cilles and Skryne go through to a Semi Final of the Championship while Ratoath, Trim and the North Meath combination of St Ultans / Cortown Gaels / Roundtowers teams go through to the shield.
Final Score
Skryne 3-11 (20)
Trim 2-08 (14)
Skryne minor team.
Back Row
L-R…Tony Morland (Management) Padraig Finnerty (Management) Sean Koegh, Alex Curran, Sam Hawes, Niall Morland, Alex Grendon, John Finnerty, Niall Finnerty, John O Regan, Shane Smyth, Kristoffer Kinsella, David Rathbourne, James Mangan, Oisin Keogh, Billy Reilly, Mickey Johnson (Management) Declan Smyth.
Front Row
L-R…Daniel O Kane, Kian Reddy, Jack Swan, Killian Moss, Rian Mc Connell, Mark Swan, Cathal Lenihan, Luke O Brien, Scott Armstrong.
Missing due to Injury Gary Browne
Missing also Andrew Nolan.
