The first round of the A league got under way on Sunday 16 February and saw Skryne take on neighbours Dunghaughlin at home. Dunshaughlin were forced to reorganise their team after only two minutes when Stephen O’Brien received a very heavy tackle which referee Joe Sinnott deemed to be a black Card. As a result Skryne got the better start and were three points to no score up, through Mark Battersby and a brace from Ian Davis, after fourteen minutes had elapsed. There was sixteen minutes on the clock when Dunshaughlin first troubled the scoreboard keeper but this was cancelled out a minute later with another fine effort from Davis. Almost immediately Dunshaughlin responded with what was the crucial score of the game when they found the net for the first time in the match. However David McGoldrick pushed Skryne into the lead again with a well taken 45 on 20 minutes to leave them ahead by 0 – 5 to 1 – 1. Dunghaughlin then took control of the remaining minutes in the first half and scored a further four points to one for Skryne from a 45 again scored by David McGordrick. The half time score stood at Dunshaughlin 1 – 5 Skryne 0 – 6.
The second half was barely on when Paddy Fox cut through the Dunshaughlin defence for a point reducing the deficit to two points. However, Dunshaughlin added a further four points to a single point from Ian Davis for the Tara men, in the ten minute period between the 35th and 45th.. Dunshaughlin lost a second man this time to a second yellow but this seemed to rally their team even more and they finished with a further two goals and three points to a single point from Mark Battersby for Skryne. The two goals came on 55 and 58 minutes despite valiant efforts from Ian Gillett in the Skryne Goal, who blocked the second with a fine save, but the ball fell kindly to a Dunshaughlin player and he put the rebound into the net.
The final score was Dunshaughlin 3 – 12, Skryne 0 – 9
While the result was a disappointment for Skryne they were able to show off their new pavilion to their visitors and provide some welcome refreshments in what was a very cold day particularly for those standing on the sideline.
Skryne: I.Gillett, D, Morley, T, McKeown, S. O’ Brien, N. Lenehan, D. McGoldrick(2), A. Carty, H. Rooney, A. Tuite, C. O’Brien, I. Davis (4), P. Fox (1), N. Burke, B. Davis, M. Battersby(2). Subs C Byrne for Burke (40), M. Harrington for Morley (50), V. Reilly for S. O’Brien (55), N. Morley for Lenehan (57), T Farnan for Rooney (57).
