SHC: Skehan secures first points for O'Mahonys

July 25, 2015

Paddy Skehan Navan O'Mahony's

O'Mahonys ....... 1-17
Dunderry ........ 1-16

The original fixture was deferred following the tragic death of Lorna Carty. Dunderry's second-half showing might have been rewarded with a second win of the campaign.

Dunderry gained parity twice in the latter stages having been seven points down after 31 minutes. Skehan's eighth point, in the third minute of merited stoppage time, settled matters.

Dunderry may feel one or two calls went against them. However, Ivan McCormack was the busier 'keeper. Just before Skehan's winner, he blocked John Foley's kicked attempt to break the deadlock.

O'Mahonys were hoping to build on their promising showing when losing to Kildalkey last time out. Here, they were never headed and dug out crucial scores in the final quarter when Dunderry - who had beaten Rathmolyon in their only other fixture to date - upped a few gears.

On an ideal evening for hurling - overcast, calm and dry - some magnificent scores were taken, particularly from long range placed balls by Skehan and Dunderry's David Gilkeson.

Playing downhill towards the town end, O'Mahonys were first to show while McCormack saved from Mikey Kelly in the second minute. Jim Baker's men had a better spread of scorers in the opening 20 minutes. Moments later Christopher Harrington notched Dunderry's first score from play.

Nominal full-forward Luke Martyn was Dunderry's most influential forward - especially when operating from deep - sent over shortly after to leave just two points in it, 0-6 to 0-8.

In the blink of an eye, O'Mahonys had trebled the difference. Kevin O'Rourke pointed with assistance from Mark Usher and Paddy Dillon. Then Shane Crosby and Mikey Kelly combined to place John Foley for a 25th minute goal.

Skehan's accuracy from placed balls then boosted O'Mahonys to a 1-10 to 0-7 interval lead. Within a minute of resumption Derek Loughran got on the end of a Richie Hogan free to leave seven points in it.

Gradually Paddy Gorey's men eroded the deficit. With Conor O'Shea also prominent last year's IHC winners were just four points in arrears, 0-13 to 1-14, heading into the final quarter.

Around the 48th minute there was a six-point swing. Ivan McCormack saved Foley's flick and when play moved downfield, Gilkeson placed Chris Harrington for a goal that cut the gap to a single point.

Skehan landed a 65 for O'Mahonys before Dunderry responded with a brace of scores, including the first leveller from sub Alex Walsh leaving it 1-15-each after 55 minutes.

Again O'Mahonys responded positively with sub David Quirke capping a useful cameo appearance with the lead score. The scoring rate dropped with the close exchanges of the latter stages that included nearly four minutes of stoppage time.

The hour was almost up when David McCormack levelled from distance. It seemed Dunderry might maintain their unbeaten start on their return to the senior ranks. They still can make the quarter-finals.

Next up for O'Mahonys is a tilt at Rathmolyon while Dunderry take on group table-toppers Kildalkey

O'Mahonys - John Gleeson; Nigel Ryan, Cormac Reilly, Mark Usher;Andrew Snow, Richie Hogan, Paddy Dillon; Shane Crosby, Ciaran McGuinness; Mark O'Rourke, Kevin O'Rourke (0-1), John Foley (1-4, 0-4 fs); Mikey Kelly, Derek Loughran (0-3), Paddy Skehan (0-8, 3fs 2 65s). Subs - David Quirke (0-1) for K O'Rourke (42), Dermot McKenna for Ryan (47).

Dunderry - Ivan McCormack; David Stephens, Evan Stephens, Aaron Feeney; Chris Fitzgerald, Conor O'Shea (0-1), David McCormack (0-1); Conor Farrell, Conor Dempsey (0-1); David Gilkeson (0-5 fs), Brendan Wright, Johnny Moran; Christopher Harrington (1-3), Luke Martyn (0-3), Stephen Coogan (0-1). Subs - Cathal Ryan for Fitzgerald (29), Alex Walsh (0-1) for Moran (48), Jordan Martin for Ryan (60)

Referee - Fergus Smith (Kilcock)


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