What a game from both Skryne & Summerhill in the U13’s final in Dunganny. The final was to be for the 5th December and both clubs agreed to play it on the Friday 27th. It was a game made of two teams that were totally focussed on playing football at the highest level.
Conditions were cool but not like that of the semi-final against Senchalstown where a ground frost laid at Father Mc Manus Park. Dunganny was the fixture for the final and with heavy rain during the week he final and with wet the game was to be played on the Astro Pitch with a 7.00pm throw in. A large crowd gathered from both sides and with Summerhill winning the toss they played into the Goals at the Trim end. Eamonn Barry who was a Meath manager was the referee for the game and after his accident it is great to see such a stalwart both refereeing and witnessing some Meath stars of the future.
The ball was thrown in and Summerhill won the breaking ball. Summerhills intention was to score on every opportunity possible. Summerhill went on the attack and there corner forward registered the first score with 17seconds gone. A ball that was kicked out by the brave Alex Curran went down to the half back line. Then with the lads trying to adapt to the astro were unfortunately unable to pick it up handled the ball on the ground. Summerhill were awarded a free. A quick ball sent in to Summerhill seemed to hover around the goal line of Skryne before it nestled in the back of the net. Summerhill were now 1-01 to no score. Skryne players were shell shocked but kept the heads up. The new rules stated that if a goal was score the ball was to be thrown in. Skryne won the throw in and the game went from either opposition for the next three minutes without a score. The game was being played at a fantastic tempo with both sides showing some fantastic skill of defending. After nearly Five Minutes Skryne registered the first score with Alex Grendon pacing forward and splitting the goal posts with a fine point. Skryne’s defence were looking that bit stronger and with the Skryne getting used to the bounce of the Astro pitch played some fantastic ball into the Forward line. It was nail biting as both sides went on attack after attack but both defence lines stood firm and strong. On Seven minutes it was to be Grendon again who the captain was to register another fine point giving the Skryne team and supporters the belief that was needed. But it was Summerhill who was to knock the wind out of Skryne again. They went forward and scored another goal with Nine minutes gone. It was now 2-01 to 0-2 to Summerhill. It wasn’t part of the script but in football you can never write the script. What stood to Skryne was they knew themselves that Summerhill would come out of the traps really well but there was to come a time when Skryne would dominate the game themselves. With a lovely Ball from Billy Reilly who has been impressive all year sent a long ball to Niall Finnerty to an inch perfect pass and went on and score a point that was badly needed. There were now four in it with 12 Mins gone. A ball that was kicked out was won by Sean Keogh who in the last couple of games has most definitely had a fantastic season layed a hand pass to Niall Moreland and with his trusty right foot slotted it over the bar to bring it back to three with Thirteen minutes gone. Summerhill went on the attack again to cancel out Nialls score. On 15 minutes Skryne were to be hit with a sucker punch when the Hill scored another goal at Right hand corner. There were now six in it with 15 minutes gone. Skryne looked for a response and that they got. A ball from Kristoffer Kinsella onto Shane Smyth and into Niall Finnerty scored a goal that was needed and lifted the team again with 16minutes gone in the first half. Finnerty who like his brothers knows where the goals are and Niall had a fantastic season playing at Corner Forward. The score was now 3-02 to 1-04. Summerhill went on the attack immediately to register a point but Skryne knew they were still in it. Skryne went on the attack and a low ball given in by Grendon who found Finnerty again. Finnerty had one defender to beat to be looking down at the goal mouth and with a perfect turn he got by his man to be pulled down. Eamonn Barry came towards the Summerhill defender and gave him a yellow card. It was a black card offence but to be fair to the ref the right card was warranted. Up stood Finnerty himself to take the free and made no mistake. There were now four points in it and 20 Mins gone. Summerhill went on the attack again to register another point. Again the game was to take another Seven minutes before the next score would be registered. Shane Smyth who gives more than 100 percent went on the defence and attack was fighting for every ball. Shane has been fantastic all year and the pairing of himself and Grendon in midfield understand each other. The next score was what the Skryne young lads needed when a ball from the centre half of David Rathbourne who will make it hard for you to get any score and is a trick player to attack against gave a ball into Grendon. Grendon again went on the surge forward who gave it to Finnerty and Finnerty returned the pass and when it looked to be lost Grendon sent it to the back of the Summerhill to the cheers of the Skryne fans, Players and management. It was what Skryne needed to be fair and nothing more than they deserved. With the game now in extra time of normal time Referee blew the whistle with Skryne only two points behind at half time.
Half time Score
Skryne 2-05
Summerhill 3-04
Skryne regrouped at half time and there was a lot to talk about. The game was still there for the Skryne lads and a big second half performance was needed. Grendon won the throw in and went on a surge and hit a hay maker of a kick to split the posts. This was the start that Skryne needed. Summerhill went to kick the ball out and a ball that had Sean Keoghs name on it fielded a perfect high ball out of the night sky burst forward and Sean who has been fantastic with his point kicking levelled the game to the delight of the Skryne supporters with 3 mins gone in the second half. Summerhill went on the attack again and cancelled the two points that Skryne had scored with 8 mins now gone. The Skryne defence of Oisin Keogh, David Rathbourne, Sam Hawes, Gary Browne & Billy Reilly did exactly what was asked. The lads had a tough time in the first half but in the second half stood strong and made Summerhill work hard for every score. The blocking hard work and attacking going forward was as good as you would see at the age level. Mossy O Brien came on for Killian Cahill to go at half Forward. Alex Curran’s kick outs hit a Skryne player all the time. A good keeper is key and Alex Curran has had a great year at U13’s & U12’s. Alex kicked a ball to Kristoffer Kinsella who found Finnerty to notch up another fine point. Finnerty was having one of his best games and was making it hard for the tall Summerhill man to man mark. On 38 Mins Skryne tails were up again when a Billy Reilly caught a ball in the defence line to give it onto Smyth and laid it to Grendon to who hit a rocket of another fine that just glanced over the cross bar. Shane Smyth has to be complimented for all his hard work andhas always been there in every game to support the Forward line with some fantastic play. Shane is definitely one to watch in the future. David Rathbourne made a perfect block that he won on the side. Rathbourne went on the attack and cleared the defence line. A Summerhill attack that again they struggled to score Rathbourne gave the ball to Smyth onto Finnerty and once again Finnerty scored another goal. Skryne were now up by three points. Summerhill didn’t go away as once again they went on the attack to register a goal of their own to level things. It was looking like Extra time would be required but the lads were eager to get it won in normal time. Again Niall Moreland who has been fantastic all year went on the attack. Moreland scored a point to go one point up again and there was 5 mins left of normal time. Summerhill tried to break down the Skryne defence line that has to be complimented for their second half performance. The Half Forwards where now helping the defence line and Summerhill to Skryne’s delight kicked some balls wide. Summerhill were looking tired and the Skryne lads were full of energy and had one hand on the cup. Skryne once again on 50mins went on the attack and once again it was Finnerty causing Summerhill all sorts of problems. Finnerty again found the net and the year he has had will be one not to forget. When you hear you are marking a Finnerty you know you have a tough and mammot task on your hands. Finnerty along with the delight of the players and supporters willed each other on. Summerhill went on the attack again knowing a goal was needed. A Ball that bounced in the goal mouth was scoped up by Shane Smyth that was looking to be certainly a goal. We can’t go without mentioning the half Forward line of Oisin Keogh Niall Moreland & Killian Cahill and Mossy O Brien who left made it hard for the Summerhill lads to mark. Up front we cannot forget that of Niall Finnerty and Sean Keogh. The two midfielders of Shane Smyth and Alex Grendon worked tirelessly for all matches and the great work rate is complimentary to the season they have had. Two great forwards who at every opportunity will punish you. Summerhill tried to break down Skryne but just couldn’t manage it. Also the subs who had a part in getting to the Final and have been on the scoring end of some fine goals and defence. John Finnerty a current U12 player played an important role in defence against Senchalstown and like his older brother works to the bitter end. Scott Armstrong who scored two goals against Dunboyne in the League had a major part in getting to the final and is showing great potential. Paddy Wright who loves to play in defence is a player who is strong and will always give you one hundred percent. Kian Reddy who unfortunately out due to being unwell was there to support the players and was disappointed he couldn’t line out but was there to celebrate the win. Kian was impressive during the U13 tournament. Jack Swan who is another up and coming star worked hard throughout the Year. Jack can play in any position he is asked to. Eamonn Barry blew the final whistle and to the joy of Skryne Players, Management & Supporters won by four points in the end. Credit has to go to Skryne that kept there score tally for the first half and the second half 2-05 in each half.
Alex Grendon who was captained thanked the management for all their hard work and time and also complimented the Summerhill team on the tough game. Credit must go to both teams who showed that the future of Meath football looks promising. Alex lifted the cup to the joy of the players as the celebrations began.
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 |
