Impressive Skryne march into the Semi-Final
Skryne 3-10 St. Peter’s Dunboyne 1-08
Minor Football Summer League, Division A – Quarter Final
Darren Fox scores wonder goal for Skryne
Weather conditions in Skryne this evening for this Minor Summer League Quarter Final were not ideal as rain teemed down for the entire first half and for short periods in the second half. The pitch however was in perfect shape as usual.
The first half of this game was a tight affair. Skryne had most of the possession but Dunboyne were very economical with the few chances they got. In fact I can’t remember them recording a single wide in the first half. Skryne pushed forward early on but Dunboyne opened the scoring with 2 fine points from play on the counter attack in the first 5 minutes. Skryne’s first score came from the boot of Daragh Campion who after the ball landed at his feet, finished to the net in a manner more likely to be seen in Anfield or Old Trafford rather than in Fr. Mc Manus Park. Dunboyne registered another point a little over a minute later to level things up, this one also coming from the ground. Skryne showed great determination throughout the game to win the ball back quickly when they lost possession. Darren Fox typified this with some terrific tackling near the left hand sideline where he won back the ball back from the Dunboyne defender before passing to Eoghan Smith who slotted it over the bar. Dunboyne then went down the other end to tag on a point in reply. Skryne almost slipped Frankie Carty through for a goal on 18 minutes but he was fouled just outside the penalty area, giving Jason Fox an easy tap over. The Skryne defence put in an excellent innings throughout the match with a terrific performance in particular from Robbie Clarke who was exceptional. Dunboyne found it hard to break down this defence but showed tremendous ability at taking long range scores, one such score coming on the 21st minute from out near the 40 yard line. Skryne finished off the scoring in the first half with 2 well taken points from Daragh Campion and Eoghan Smith. Skryne went in at half-time 2 points to the good on a scoreline of 1-04 to 0-05
Skryne were first off the mark in the second half when the lively Padraig Finnerty who was a constant thorn in the side of the Dunboyne defence following his introduction late on in the first half, broke free from his marker, sped towards goal and unleashed a shot at goal which was parried away by the Dunboyne keeper and went out for a 45. The 45 was taken short by Skryne to Daragh Campion who drove it over the bar from distance. Skryne gifted a goal to Dunboyne when a short kickout from Dean Reddy did not reach his intended destination. It was intercepted by a Dunboyne attacker who put his full forward through on goal and he slipped the ball into the Skryne net to level the scores. Dunboyne added another point from their impressive No. 12 who pointed despite intense pressure from the Skryne defence and put Dunboyne into the lead. Skryne did not panic and continued to play the same mobile fluid football that had been bearing fruit up to this point. Robbie Clarke popped up on the 40 to slot a fine point over the bar to draw Skryne level again. A minute later Skryne won the ball in Dunboyne’s penalty area. There were a number of attempts on goal which were foiled by last ditch defending from the Dunboyne rearguard. However, one of these blocks was a footblock and the referee blew for a penalty to Skryne. Jason Fox stepped up to take the penalty. He cooly slid the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal off the inside of the post while sending the keeper in the opposite direction. Skryne now had all the momentum and Dunboyne were beginning to tire. On the 44th minute, Skryne were rewarded with a point from Eoghan Smith from a brilliant move which began from a kickout by Dean Reddy towards the right hand sideline. The ball was broken down by Daragh Campion to Frankie Carty who returned the ball to Daragh. Daragh sent a fine ball downfield to Eoghan who made no mistake, splitting the posts with a fine point. Skryne won the ball from the resultant kickout and Eoghan Smith added another point to his tally. Daragh Campion got on the end of another defence to attack move which involved almost the entire Skryne team, to stretch Skryne’s lead to 2-09 to 1-06. Skryne’s third goal came on the 53rd minute. Jason Fox received the ball on the right hand side and galloped forward. Despite having a great chance to take a point himself, Jason showed great vision when he spotted Darren Fox free on the left hand side of the pitch. He sent a sublime ball across to Darren who collected before firing a rocket of a shot into the top right hand corner of Dunboyne’s goal. Dunboyne replied with another good point from their No. 12 on 54 minutes followed by their final score on the 58th minute. However, it was too little too late for Dunboyne as Skryne finished off the scoring with another back to front point which was tucked away by Colm Mc Loughlin.
Well done to both Skryne and Dunboyne for serving up an exceptional match despite the terrible conditions.
Skryne Team: Dean Reddy, Michael Long, Oisín Gryson, Barry Clarke, Jack O’ Donnell, Robbie Clarke(0-01), Cian Twomey, Michael Doherty, Darren Fox(1-00), Paddy Carpenter, Eoghan Smith(0-04), Daragh Campion(1-03), Jason Fox(1-01), Colm Mc Loughlin(0-01), Frank Carty. Subs: Padraig Finnerty, Colm Doherty, Shane Dowling.
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