Skryne have continued their unbeaten run after beating Seneschalstown at a Cold Father Mc Manus Park on Friday 20th in the Semi Final. With Ground frost lingering and temperatures plummeting to minus 1 both teams put on a heated display of Gaelic Football. The passion of both sides was like a battle of two great warriors. Skryne had already beaten Seneschalstown in the round robin with a score line of 5-10 to 1-9 but when it comes to semi-finals it’s always a whole new ball game.
Throw in was for 7-30pm and Seneschalstown were trying their best to put an upset on the cards. The opposition started the strongest and went on the attack after the 1st minute when a high ball dropped in over Alex Currans head and nestled in the back of the net. Skryne went on the reply straight away and Sean Keogh scored a fantastic point on the left hand side to register Skryne’s first score after 4 mins. Seneschalstown cancelled out the next score and went on the attack and cancelled out the Skryne’s score. Another perfect worked score from defence with Gary Brown sending a long ball to Niall Moreland who notched up a fine second score. Skryne had stepped it up a gear with a slow start when Alex Grendon went attack from half forward and with his long strides left the Seneschalstown defence grounded. Alex burst through and hit a thunder shot to the back of the net leaving the keeper with no chance. This was what the Skryne lads needed to lift them with 8 mins gone. The goal was to put Skryne ahead by one with a score line of 1-2 to 1-1. Seneschalstown went on the attack again and were certainly not giving up when they replied with a score of their own. On 17 mins the script was not going to plan for Skryne when a long ball down to Skryne didn’t reach its target. Seneschalstown went through the heart of the Skryne defence to leave Alex Curran with no chance. It was now Skryne who were behind by a Goal. Skryne went on the attack again and a ball was broken down by the half forward of Seneschalstown who struck a point. Skryne now had put the last 15 mins behind them and with the influential defence line of Sam Hawes went on the attack again when a ball was given to Shane Smyth who was fouled 13mtrs from the goals. Up stood Niall Finnerty who split the posts with a fine point. Half time was coming fast and although Skryne were playing into a cold breeze the lads kept plugging away and didn’t panic. This shows the true spirit of any great team. Some tactical changes were made and the lads dug well in defence with Gary Brown and Sam Hawes playing really well. A ball was given short from Moreland who gave it onto Grendon and like his first shot a rocket of a goal to leave the keeper with no chance. It was now a draw and game on. On the Seneschalstown kick out young Billy Reilly who fought tooth and nail for every ball had one of his finest performance and gave a beautiful ball to Finnerty who passed it to Grendon and again headed for goal to score unfortunately the ref had blown the whistle for a free for Grendon and the goal was not allowed. Up stood Finnerty and score a point to put Skryne up and the Ref then blew the half time whistle with Skryne up by one point.
Half time Score
Skryne 2-04
Senchelstown 2-03
The second half started with a blistering pace again and the lads were going through the pain barrier with the cold. The midfield of Shane and Alex won the ball from the start and Shane who plays to the bitter end covered every blade of grass gave a ball to Niall Finnerty who was fouled thirteen meters out and slotted it over the bar. Skryne were putting immense pressure on the defence line of Seneschalstown and attacked every ball. Oisin Keogh moved the ball forward onto Grendon who hit a hay maker and scored a fantastic point. Grendon was having one of his best performances in the Skryne U13’s Jersey and the captain was urging his team mates on. Seneschalstown came back with a reply and scored a point of their own to keep in touch with Skryne. Kristoffer Kinsella who was only back from Injury was holding the half back line and was covering plenty of ground along with Mossy O Brien. Seneschalstown went on the attack knowing they would need the next score was fouled within 18 yards of the goals and scored a point from a free. There was now 2 mins gone in the second half and Skryne were still ahead by One. The next four minutes of the second half saw Skryne on the attack time after time. Shane Smyth was the first who took a sweet score from the right hand side and nothing more than he deserved. Once again Reilly gave a ball onto Oisin Keogh and like his older brother slotted one between the posts. Ten minutes in the second half Seneschalstown took two points back and once again there was one in it. Pardon the pun but Skryne kept there cool. Alex Curran gave a long ball to Reilly who held possession and have it onto the talented Morland and onto the on rushing Grendon. The move from the defence line to the Forwards lifted the team and Skryne Supporters who in their numbers were entertained with an end to end game. Gary Browne gave a ball onto Kian Reddy who passed a lovely ball to Finnerty and scored the next point. Skryne were now pulling away with 15 mins gone in the second half. David Rathbourne passed a perfect ball to Moreland who slotted a ball over the bar and a score that pulled them ahead further. There were now Three in it in favour of Skryne. Seneschalstown went on the attack and once again took it back to two points and didn’t arrive in Skryne for the fun of it. Sam Hawes gave a ball to Reilly again onto Rathbourne and picked a perfect pass onto the moving Smyth and was fouled. Up stood Finnerty who put the ball over the Cross bar and now there was three in it with 23 mins gone. Skryne were now in top gear and playing with confidence. A ball from Sean Keogh onto Jack Swan who saw Finnerty moving with pace popped a lovely hand pace to Finnerty who slotted it to the back of the net. There were now six in it and Skryne were comfortable with every ball. To be fair to Seneschalstown they never gave in and got a consolation score before full time. Well done to both sides who put on a fantastic game on a cold night. Both teams suffered with the cold but played through the pain barrier. Both teams shook hands and both teams management complemented the two sides on a fantastic game.
Skryne now play Summerhill in the Final who beat Trim in their match. There was a lot of fantastic play from all the Skryne players who all look forward to the Final. Skryne now keep their unbeaten run of Six games and will be hoping for Seventh Heaven in a couple of weeks.
Skryne U13’s Team, Alex Curran, Sam Hawes, Gary Browne, David Rathbourne, Krisstoffer Kinsella, Billy Reilly, Shane Smyth, Alex Grendon (C), Niall Moreland, Oisin Keogh, Mossy O Brien, Sean Keogh, Niall Finnerty, Scott Armstrong, Kian Reddy, Paddy Wright, John Finnerty, Jack Swan.
Final Score
Skryne 3-11
Seneschalstown 2-09
U13 Football League – Division 2
| Team | played | won | drawn | lost | FOR | AGAINST | difference | points |
| Skryne | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| Summerhill | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | ||
| Trim | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | ||
| Seneschalstown | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| St. Peter’s/Paul’s | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Simonstown | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
