A much improved performance from Skryne compared to their recent League form saw them overcome the Hill after extra time. The scores were level at 0-12 to 1-9 at the end of normal time even though Skryne played 50 minutes of the match with 14 men after Paddy Fox was red-carded by Referee Padgie Coyle.
It took Skryne a while to adjust to being a man down and therefore were behind at halftime in normal time by 1-6 to 0-4. In the second half they improved immensely and superb performances from Ciaran Lenihan and Adam O’Sullivan who scored seven excellent points between them brought Skryne level. Adam’s three points coming at a crucial stage of the game being Skryne’s last scores in normal time. Mark Battersby scored the all important goal in the first half of extra time and Skryne had a four point lead which they held right up to the last kick of the game when Brian Ennis goaled for Summerhill but there was no time for them to get the chance of an equaliser.
This was a very good team performance from Skryne but a few players really stood out including Ian Gillette in goals who made three excellent saves just before the end, Adam O’Sullivan who was man of the match and Ronan McCabe in the halfback line, Ciaran Lenihan at midfield and top scorer Mark Battersby in the forward line. But football is a 21 man game now and everybody, as preciously stated, contributed to an excellent win.
Skryne- Ian Gillette. Neil Lenihan, James Looby, Vinny O’Reilly. Ronan McCabe,Mark Jordan, Adam O’Sullivan (0-3). Ciaran Lenihan (0-4), Thomas McKeown (0-1). Conor O’Brien (0-1), Stephen O’Brien (0-2), Paddy Fox. John Morley, Brian Davis, Mark Battersby (1-3).
Subs used – Allan Carty (0-1), Declan Morley, Neal Burke, Cian Lynch and Conor Keogh.
