Skryne 2-18 Syddan 3-11

There was a lot at stake in this A League match in Skryne yesterday evening, with neither side having bagged a win in this year’s League and both desperately needing full points to extract themselves from the relegation dogfight.

Skryne have been thwarted by an injury crises this year which has denied them the chance to field their strongest team. Last night was no different as star forward Mark Battersby joined the injury list and was unable to play after picking up a heavy knock on Sunday against Donaghmore/Ashbourne. 

While Skryne had a difficult night in general struggling to put away a stubborn Syddan outfit, Paddy O’ Rourke proved to be the difference between the sides putting on a masterclass of forward play, amassing a tally of 1-11 on the night, 1-06 of this tally from play to ensure Skryne got the victory they needed.

Syddan settled quickest in this game and had two points on the board inside the opening minute. However, Skryne took control at midfield and racked up five points without a reply to race into the lead. Syddan got back on terms with three of their own and it was nip and tuck until the 23rd minute of the half when a point from the excellent Colm Doherty opened a three point gap. This was quickly followed by a goal from Ian Davis who was set up by O’Rourke in front of the goals and he made no mistake when smashing the ball into the back of the net. Syddan picked off a point two minutes later and then hit a fine goal of their own when one of their attackers found room on the right hand side and blasted the ball into the top corner of the Skryne net leaving only two points between the teams at half-time. Half-time score: Skryne 1-09, Syddan 1-07.

Skryne came out flying in the second half and registered their second goal inside the opening minute of the half. Ciaran Lenehan launched a high ball in towards Paddy O’Rourke. Paddy spotted that the ball was going to drop short and bounce off the hard ground. O’Rourke stood his ground while the full-back rushed out only to see the ball bounce over his head and into the waiting hands of O’Rourke who planted it past the keeper. Similar to the first half, Syddan cancelled out this goal with a goal of their own when they were awarded a penalty, which was dispatched to the back of the net.  Skryne hit a period of dominance and looked to have put the game to bed by the midway point of the half when they hit six points in a row to lead by 2-15 to 2-07. However Syddan had other ideas and again fought back with the next three points in a row before Paddy O’Rourke seemed to steady the ship with another point. From the kickout Syddan launched a slick attacking move which finished with their third goal. Another point and all of a sudden the gap was down to two points and Skryne were looking worried. Paddy O’Rourke bagged a final brace of points to secure the victory for Skryne. Full-time: Skryne 2-18, Syddan 3-11.

Skryne: Ian Gillett; Mark Harrington, Michael Doherty, David Carroll, Ronan McCabe, Niall Lenehan, James Hegarty; Ciarán Lenehan, Harry Rooney (0-01); Eoin Smyth, Ian Davis (1-02), Patrick Fox (0-01); Niall Morley (0-01), Paddy O’Rourke (1-11, 5fs), Colm Doherty (0-02)

Subs: Paddy Carpenter, David McGoldrick, Craig Nolan, Neal Burke

Syddan Report

SKRYNE 2-18  SYDDAN 3-11

SYDDAN produced probably their best display of the league campaign but it wasn’t enough to earn them a maiden victory at Fr McManus Park on Wednesday evening.

Skryne led for most of the way but they could never quite shake off their dogged opponents who reduced an eight point deficit to just two in the final quarter. However the Tara men had a match winner in Paddy O'Rourke who accounted for the two final points to take his tally to 1-11 for the hour and end Syddan’s late rally.

Sean Clare and Cormac Rowe hit points as Syddan raced into an early lead. However Skryne replied with five successive point in as many minutes to lead 0-5 to 0-2.

Further efforts from Kevin Traynor, Daire Rowe and Padraic Dillon had Syddan back level but the hosts eventually went six clear before having to settle for a 1-9 to 1-7 interval lead.

With O'Rourke proving a handful on the edge of the square Skryne threatened goals on a number of occasions before they finally found the net after the Syddan defence failed to clear an O'Rourke free and Ian Davis pounced to drill home from close range.

That left them leading 1-9 to 0-6 but Syddan responded well with a point and then a goal from Cormac Rowe. Earlier Kevin Traynor was unlucky to see an effort come off the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

The second half was less than two minutes old when O'Rourke struck for a goal but again Syddan responded with Daire Rowe converting from the penalty spot on 36 minutes following a foul on Mark Fedigan.

That proved to be Syddan’s only score in the third quarter as O'Rourke (three), Harry Rooney, Paddy Fox and Davis added points to open up a 2-15 to 2-7 lead heading into the final quarter.

With Sean Clare giving them a platform at midfield Syddan struck back with points from Traynor, Daire Rowe and Graham Garland. Daire Rowe then netted from an acute angle to leave just three points between the sides.

A point from substitute Paddy Farrelly reduced the lead further on 53 minutes. However Syddan were unable to add to their tally after that with O'Rourke accounting for the last two scores as his side claimed their first win of the campaign.

SKRYNE - Ian Gillette; Mark Harrington, Michael Doherty, David Carroll; Ronan McCabe, Niall Lenehan, James Hegarty; Ciaran Lenehan, Harry Rooney 0-1; Eoin Smyth, Ian Davis 1-2, Paddy Fox 0-1; Niall Morley 0-1, Paddy O'Rourke 1-11 (5f), Colm Doherty 0-2.

SYDDAN - Peter Sheehy; Mark Fedigan, Tommy Meade, Andrew Garland; Michael Fedigan, Jack Reid, Ryan Summersby; Sean Clare 0-1; Kevin Traynor 0-2; Cormac Rowe 1-2, Cathal Dardis, Daire Rowe 2-3 (1-0 pen 0-1f); Padraic Dillon 0-1, Gary Farrelly, Graham Garland 0-1. Subs - Ronan Mooney for Summersby, Kevin Garland for Mark Fedigan, Paddy Farrelly 0-1 for G Farrelly.

REF - Liam O'Brien (Duleek-Bellewstown)

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