Skryne U15s overcome a stern challenge from Navan O Mahonys in a fantastic Div 2 Final

Some photos and a report from this evenings game. Well done to the U15’s on a fantastic game.

Skryne U15s final was set for Dunganny on the 12th of June. A game where neither team had last played competitive gaelic for 270 days in their respective Div 2 Semi Final. Looking at this game you certainly wouldn’t have thought that. Covid had been a torn in everyone’s side but the hard work with online classes was to pay off. Great credit has to go to both sides with all players, managers and mentors even down to the referee. This game was what gaelic football is all about. Physicality, passion, determination, and pride. This was a game that a neutral could have watched for the day.
Skryne met at Father Mc Manus Pk as Johnny Quinn gave out the All Ireland tickets as there was only 100 allowed to attend tickets were like hens teeth and travelled in convoy to Dunganny.. Skryne met in Dunganny for 4.15pm and commenced a warm up. Throw in was for 5.00pm and the weather couldn’t have been any better. Skryne and Navan O Mahony’s had previously met in 2020 and Navan O Mahony’s took the spoils that day. Skryne were minus Darragh O Dowd through injury and a great player who really loves loading the defense and a player that was really missed. Declan o Connor was also missing from the panel. Robbie Barrett the referee in the middle from Walterstown got the game under. Skryne were scoring towards Trim and Navan o Mahony’s into the club house. Navan O Mahony’s launched the first attack with the danger man Jack Quinn scoring from a free on 2 mins. Skryne battled really well in defense and there was some great tussels with James Reeves and Jack Quinn going toe to toe. Robert Gallagher was to score for Skryne and what a way to get the scoring underway with a strong move forward and to leave the ball nestle into the back of O Mahony’s goal on 4 Mins. Skryne kept the ball in O Mahonys half and launched another attack with Andrew Canavan, Charlie Swan and Tom Lenihan to combine and within 2 mins another goal with great movement by Tom Lenihan. Skryne’s tails were up and the defense line of Ben Armstrong, Cian Carthy, Kevin Cooney. Matthew Ryan who made a comeback was outstanding in between the posts and the last time both teams played Matthew was unfortunate and broke his arm. It was great to see him back again. Navan o Mahonys kicked a few wide’s as the pressure of defence on the kicker was brilliant. Killian Manning, James Reeves and Stephen Corry made O Mahonys rush there kicks. Skryne launched an attack again and Ciaran Quinn who was excremental with Rob Gallagher in midfield. Ran at the defenders of O Mahonys and laid a beautiful ball to Cian mc Carty who from corner back scored a great point. On 18 mins there was worry for full forward and a great player Billy Smyth as he went down injured from an accidental clash. Billy had to come off and Josh Grendon who had been out also through injury came on at full forward. Navan O Mahonys went on to register 3 points with one from a free. This was as tough a battle as could have been expected. The half forward line of Tom Lenihan, Andrew Canavan and Zach Larmer were really bringing there “A Game” The lads played really well and Tom was on the attack when he was brought down. Up stood Quinner who slotted it between the posts. On 25 mins Billy Smith was brought back on and Cian Mc Carty came off with 25mins gone. Skryne registered two wide’s and were really pushing O Mahonys. O Mahonys had other ideas and never gave in. O Mahonys went down to register a Goal and a point just before half time.

Half time score
Skryne 2.04
Navan O Mahony’s 1.06

The second half was no different than the first half. Ben Mooney was introduced as Kevin Cooney was taken off on. Ben is a fantastic defender and knew the job on hand. He was another impact sub that was definitely needed. Jack Quinn went on to register another point and leave O Mahonys one point behind and O Mahonys were throwing everything at Skryne. The young guns didn’t panic and instead of O Mahonys turning the key Skryne was to knock the wind out of the sails. An attack with a great ball from defence to Charlie Swan onto Tom Lenihan saw the ball nestle once again into the net. What a move and the quick play was a joy to watch. Tom was to go onto register another point from a broken down ball of Gallagher in midfield. The game was a real battle and both defenses were very strong. Neither side were giving in nor O Mahonys who registered another goal and point on 46 mins to bring the game to 14 points apiece. On 48 mins a lovely attack play from defense of Skryne saw a ball to Josh Grendon who was only back and playing really well saw Canavan on the move and then to the steady hands of Billy Smyth who had a great game to leave a rocket of a shot to the net. Smyth went onto register another point. Charlie Swan upfront was really causing the defense of O Mahonys some problems as he played fantastic and left the O Mahony players guessing his next move. There was some changes with Jack Shorten another young and upcoming player who is with the U15s and as tall as a Senior player came on to strengthen the defense line. Ciaran Fox was unlucky not to get a goal. Ciaran Fox is a great free taker and one you can certainly rely on. Conor Mc Manus came out and added more flavour to the attack and a score has certainly the ability to score points. On 56 mins there was to be another score for Navan which looked to be a square ball but was given. Skryne were only two points ahead and the save of the evening has to go to Matthew Ryan who pounced and the Navan o Mahonys player to block what looked to be a definite goal. On 60 mins Navan registered the last point of the game as both sides were struggling to get scores down to the strong defense line. There was at least 7 mins of extra time and the nails were nearly gone at this stage as the 100 supporters urged both sides on. In the end the referee blew the final whistle and Skryne were victorious in what was a great game by both sides. The management of Johnny Quinn, Gordon Geraghty, Nigel Fox and Des Manning were ecstatic. The U15’s was watched on by Trevor Giles who was there to do physio.

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Final Score

Skryne 4.09 (21 Points)
Navan O Mahonys 3.10 (19 Points)

The panel of players are as follows.
Matthew Ryan, Darragh O Dowd, Ben Armstrong, Cillian Manning, Stephen Corry, James Reeves (C), Zack Larmer, Ciaran Quinn, Robert Gallagher, Tom Lenihan, Andrew Canavan, Ben Mooney, Charlie Swan, Billy Smyth, Ciaran Fox, Jack O Regan, Kevin Cooney, Conor Mc Manus, Cian Mc Carty, Luke Hanley, Jack Shorten, Conor Reuter, Josh Grendon, Daire Govern, Declan O Connor.
Management, Johnny Quinn, Gordon Geraghty, Nigel Fox, Des Manning, Ciaran Larmer (Covid Officer)