SFC: Blacks and Blues share the points in 'derby' clash

September 02, 2012

Walterstown's Alban Crosbie
It finished all-square in this hoganstand.com SFC Group B clash at Dunshaughlin on Sunday evening as Skryne rallied to catch Walterstown, but to no avail.

Walterstown ...... 0-10
Skryne ................ 0-10

The draw was enough to maintain Walterstown hopes of reaching the business end of the championship. Despite a strong late rally Skryne have nothing but pride to play for in their final group game against Dunboyne.

Four points down with under ten minutes remaining Barney Rock's charges regained parity through Trevor Giles, Ronan McCabe and Mark Battersby (free) with Ciaran Lenehan levelling matters in the 59th minute.

A final quarter fade out denied Walterstown a second win of the campaign. They  led by four points on as many different occasions after the break.

All bar two of Walterstown's total came from play while the outscored Skryne by 0-7 to 0-3 between the 15th and 51st minutes.

P. J. Buckley's men opened the scoring through Mark McCormack in the third minute. He went on to register four points from play.

A magnificent Paddy O'Rourke effort leveled matters six minutes in. The scores were tied three times in the opening quarter.

Skyrne led for the only time when Ian Davis posted the first of his three pointed frees. Two Cormac Madden scores regained the lead for Walterstown.

A Paddy O'Rourke pointed free tied matters for the third time before the scoring rate dropped significantly in the second quarter.

Points from Alban Crosbie (free) and Michael Clarke (45) left Walterstown 0-5 to 0-3 to the good at half-time.

Tom Walsh's 31st  minute point increased Walterstown's lead and soon they were four points clear for the first time when Mark McCormack sent over.

Another Davis free for Skryne was cancelled out a Walsh effort for Walterstown from play. Two more McCormack point left the Blacks four points clear for the fourth and final time by the 51st minute.

Then came the Skryne rally that didn't maintain their interest the championship or dent Walterstown hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals. Their meeting with Simonstown next weekend will determine which side moves into the last eight.

Walterstown - C. Lydon; P. Reynolds, D. Maguire, C. McGuinness; J. Geoghegan, D. Reynolds, C. McGrane; A. Crosbie (0-1f), J. Farrelly; M. McCormack (0-4), M. Clarke (0-1 45), T. Walsh (0-2,); C. Madden (0-2), G. McGuinness, R. O'Dowd. Sub - R. Barry for Madden (52).

Skryne  - F. O'Rourke; J. Hegarty, M. Mulvaney, D. Morley; J. Looby, A. Carty, A. O'Sullivan; D. McGoldrick, C. Lenehan (0-1); H. Rooney, T. Giles (0-1), I. Davis (0-3 fs); R. McCabe (0-1), P. O'Rourke (0-2, 1f), M. Battersby (0-2 fs). Subs - J. Quinn for O'Sullivan (41), C. Byrne for Davis (45).

Referee - D. Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels).

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