Lenehan keen to bounce back
November 27, 2011The fact that both 2010 finalists Skryne and Seneschalstown failed to make it through the group stages just shows the level of competition that is in the senior football championship and every team that competes has genuine designs on lifting the Keegan Cup.
On paper, the defending champions received a favourable draw enough and many expected to come through to the knockout stages with the minimum of fuss. However, the loss of Ian Davis and Dwayne Beaton through emigration and the unavailability of Trevor Giles for the early part of the campaign proved to be a major setback for the Tara outfit.
Placed in the same group as St Patrick's, Walterstown, St Peter's Dunboyne and Duleek/Bellewstown, Skryne faced four teams that had struggled to compete in the business end of the championship in recent years, but the loss of such key players was to have a major impact on their campaign.
Last year's manager Liam Harnan was replaced by another All-Ireland winner in the guise of Dublin's Barney Rock, who has formed a solid reputation for himself as a club manager over the past few years.
Rock's first championship game in charge saw Skryne take on St Pat's in a game that they were strong favourites to win, but as the old saying goes, favourites are there to be knocked as the Stamullen outfit caused a huge surprise and ran out worthy winners by 2-8 to 1-8.
It was the worst possible start for the defending champions, but with three games remaining all was not lost and in their next outing against Duleek/Bellewstown, they picked up their first two points of the campaign.
This was a match they needed to win. At times during the game they showed patches of the brilliance from last year. However some wayward play could have cost them. Paddy O' Rourke got them off the mark, followed immediately by a point from Duleek/Bellewstown's Carl McDonnell. Kevin Mulvany and Brian Davis made it 0-3 to 0-1. Then D/B had a purple patch, scoring six points to Skryne's one. However Brian Byrne, O'Rourke and Tuite scored three on the trot to leave the sides level at the break.
After the break Paddy O'Rourke went on a scoring spree, landing a goal and three points within six minutes of the restart. The goal came after James Hegarty broke up a promising opportunity for D/B when he robbed the ball and set up what was the move of the match with a beautiful series of passes from the Skryne men who found O'Rourke in front of goals and he fired home. Kevin Mulvaney and Peter Curran swapped points making the score 1-11 to 0-8 after 38 minutes. Mark Battersby scored twice more and O'Rourke added another before D/B's Mark Collins scored leaving the sides at Skryne 1-14, Duleek/Bellewstown 0-9 after 47 minutes. While most teams might have thrown in the towel at this stage the Duleek Bellewstown side continued putting up a fight and scored a further six points with Byrne and substitute Alan Carty adding a further two for the Skryne men deep into injury time to leave the full time score 1-16 to 0-15 in Skryne's favour.
"I really felt that we threw the St Pat's game away and it is certainly one that we should have won, but fair play to them, they deserved the victory and we had only ourselves to blame. We then needed a win against Duleek/Bellewstown and fortunately we got that, which should have kick started our season, but that's not the way it turned out," admitted Ciaran.
Skryne faced neighbours Walterstown at a rain soaked Dunsany in mind-June and it was all to play for both sides. Six points in 12 second-half minutes earned Walterstown their first win of the campaign at the third attempt having lost earlier to St Patrick's and Dunboyne. That scoring sequence started with Tom Walsh's second pointed 45 of the game and left it 0-7 to 1-3 with 42 minutes gone.
Four points in quick succession at the start of the final quarter enhanced Walterstown's position. It was 0-12 to 1-3 with 54 minutes gone.
Paddy O'Rourke and Mark Battersby pulled back points for Skryne. However, Barney Rock's charges never looked like getting the goal required to stop them slipping to their second defeat in three outings.
"It was a real battle against Walterstown and I think the conditions suited them better than they did us. They just wanted it more and they were willing to fight for every ball, we can have no complaints about the defeat."
With Dunboyne topping the five-team Group C, Skryne lost out on a knockout place to Walterstown, who advanced with a 2-12 to 0-10 victory over Duleek/Bellewstown at Dunshaughlin. Walterstown completed a fine recovery after looking relegation contenders when losing their first two games.
Skryne were left to regret a missed penalty after 55 minutes with Paddy O'Rourke's spot kick kept out by former Meath and Ireland International Rules goalie David Gallagher, who moved there from his full-back berth, having earlier kicked two 45s and a long-range free between the posts. A goal there could have improved Skryne's scoring difference to lift them above St. Pat's and Walterstown in the table and earn a quarter-final place, as the Stamullen men, Skryne and Walterstown were all tied on four points after four games. Skryne's point difference of +3 saw them pipped by Walterstown by three points.
Although Trevor Giles returned after injury, Skryne were left to regret two defeats earlier in the campaign as the bid for a two in-a-row came to an end, despite defeating Dunboyne by 0-13 to 0-07.
"We had no one else to blame for being knocked out only ourselves. Barney had come in and done a great job, but we never really got going in the championship at all. Fair enough, we were missing the couple of lads that emigrated and Trevor didn't come back till late in the year, but there's no point in making excuses, we have a strong enough panel to make up for the absentees."
On a personal note, Ciaran felt that his own performances at club level were not up to scratch in 2011 and this is something he is keen to rectify for the 2012 campaign, which he is already looking forward too.
"Last year was the best year ever and winning the Keegan Cup alongside your friends is the best feeling ever. Anything else after that is a bonus, but to win a championship with the lads you grew up with is something extra special.
"This year, I felt that my performances were not good enough and I found it hard to get into games at times. We are a very young side and I've no doubt that we will be back stronger next year. There is a lot of work being done at underage level and the likes of former county player Mick O'Dowd and a few others have done great work with the kids and they are starting to come through now."
It has been a busy year for Ciaran as his performances last year earned him a place in this year's Meath squad, and indeed he is now a regular in the half back line, following a string of fine performances for the Royals.
"Seamus rang me last November to see would I join up with the panel and I was delighted to do so. There is a big difference with training with the club and the county. I got to train very little with the club this year and maybe that had an effect on my performances for the club, but that is something I aim to put right next year."
Skryne U13's take Division 1 honours
Skryne were comfortable winners (4-12 to 2-3) against St Colmcille's in the county U13 final.
The early stages were closely fought but Skryne slowly began to dominate. Dean Reddy and Michael Doherty in the centre of the defence began to catch every ball that came their way. Dara Campion and James Finnerty surging forward every chance delivering perfect ball into the Skryne's full forward line of Jason Reddy, Colm McLoughlin and Padriag Finnerty who were beginning to cause trouble. Captain Paddy Carpenter scored Skryne's first goal. With 10 minutes to go to halftime and Skryne with a tally of 1-3, St. Colmcilles broke clear but thanks to Fiachra Finegan making a match winning save when St. Colmcilles looked certain to score. This seemed to bring Colmcilles to life and they got their opening goal just before halftime. When the referee Des Smith blew the halftime whistle the score was Skryne 1-3, St Colmcilles 1-1, with everything still all to play for.
After the break Skryne got back into their rhythm with midfielder of Eoin Smyth and Paddy Carpenter working tirelessly up and down the field. At this stage Colmcilles didn't know what hit them and in the space of five minutes Skryne scored 2-3 without reply thanks to J Reddy (1-2), Frank Carty (1-0) and Darren Fox (0-2). Skryne played some excellent football with Andrew Moore and Robbie Clarke breaking down every Colmcilles attack.
Also in top form were David Carroll, Darren Fox, Frank Carty and Colm McLoughlin who led off a super ball for Jason Ready to score his second goal with less then 10 minutes to go. St Colmcilles didn't give up and to their credit got a consolation goal with five minutes to go. This was going to be Skryne's day and they finished a superb display of football with four more points from Eoin Smyth, Dara Campion and Darren Fox (2) to win.
Skryne - Fiachra Finegan, Andrew Moore, Dean Reddy, Robbie Clarke, James Finnerty, Michael Doherty, Dara Campion (0.2), Eoin Smyth (0-1), Paddy Carpenter (1-1), Frank Carty (1-0), Darren Fox (0-3), David Carroll, Padraig Finnerty, Colm McLoughlin, Jason Reddy (2-5). Subs - Lloyd Carolan, Colm Doherty, Tom Kelly and Tommy Carpenter.
U13 double for Tara lads
Not content with winning one U13 title, Skryne landed two on the same day when they took the Division 7 title (6-9 to 3-8) against Ballinabrackey.
Ballinabrackey got off to the perfect start and were in full control getting a goal after 10 minutes. The goal seemed to waken Skryne up and from goalkeeper Shane Dowling's kick out superbly fielded by captain Colm Doherty. His long kick found Padraig Finnerty who landed the ball in the back of the net. From then on Skryne's halfbacks of Tom Kelly, Michael Long and Tommy Carpenter and midfield of Colm Doherty and the hard working Cian Twomey began to take control. By half time Skryne were four points up thanks to some brilliant saves from Shane Dowling and brave defending from Jarlath Jordan and Sean Byrne.
After the break Lloyd Carolan, Luke Thorpe and Dylan Bissett won more balls and each of them scored a point. Padraig Finnerty grabbed two more goals and the Ballinabrackey defence just couldn't control him getting a tally of 3-3 for himself. Eoghan Quinn after being provider all day got through for his own point. Ballinabrackey got through for a goal with five minutes to go to give themselves a lifeline but Skryne brought on three pairs of fresh legs Evan O'Brien, Aaron Gaynor and Michael Swan for the last five minutes and Swan sealed the game with 2-1 and Skryne ran out easy winners by 10 points. This was a real team performance from Shane Dowling in goals to the two subs Shane Smyth and Niall Finnerty who were ready to go if required.
Skryne - Shane Dowling, Jarlath Jordan, Sean Byrne, Tom Kelly, Michael Long, Tommy Carpenter, Cian Twomey and Colm Doherty (Capt) (0-1), Luke Thorpe (0-1) Lloyd Carolan (1-2), Dylan Bissett(0-1), Eoghan Quinn (0-1) Padraig Finnerty (3-3).
Subs: Michael Swan (2-1), Evan O'Brien, David Hawes, A. Gaynor, Shane Smyth and Niall Finnerty.
U16's take summer league honours
Skryne's conveyor belt of talent continues to improve as their Under 16's totally outclassed Oldcastle (1-20 to 2-6) in the Meath Summer League Roinn E decider at Moynalty.
Skryne totally dominated the opening twenty five minutes. Corner forward Jason Fox was a constant thorn in the Oldcastle defence. The number 15 scored 1-3 in the opening half. Skryne led 1-7 to 0-1 after fifteen minutes. Further points from Cian Lynch (2), Paddy Doherty and Donie Ryan put Skryne in the driving seat.
Skryne keeper Dean Reddy made a great save in the opening minute of the second half. From there on Skryne took control again. Points from Fox (2), Lynch (2), Sean Cassidy (2) and Niall Morley (2) gave a very stylish Skryne team an impressive win.
Best for the James Hegarty managed side were Enda O'Brien, Andrew Hayes, Donal Ryan, John Morley, Sean Cassidy, Paddy Doherty, Cian Lynch and Jason Fox.
Skryne: Dean Reddy, Padraic Murphy, Enda O'Brien, Cathal Murphy, Andrew Hayes, Tim Lennon, Emmet Jordan, Donal Ryan (0-1), John Morley (0-3), Sean Cassidy (0-2), Cian Lynch (0-5), Josh Finnegan, Niall Morley (0-3), Paddy Doherty (0-2), Jason Fox (1-4)
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