Skryne 0-9 Dunshaughlin 0-8.

This Junior Football Championship quarter final played in ideal conditions in Ashbourne this evening (Monday) was a very close and exciting encounter.

Both sides missed a lot of scoring chances but this just added to the excitement of a local derby. The game was played in an exceptionally sporting manner and the standard of Junior football served up - apart from the finishing - was a credit to both teams. Dunshaughlin were in sparkling form in the first half and deservedly led at half time by 0-7 to 0-3. Having said that Jason Fox hit the post with a rasping shot that seemed destined for the net and from the rebound Dunshaughlin went straight down the field and pointed at the town end. This amounted to a four point difference instead of a draw match.

With little or no breeze to affect the match Skryne got into top gear in the second half and set about reducing the Black and Ambers lead. Slowly but surely the Blues tagged on five points to Dunshaughlin's solitary pointed free to draw level with two minutes remaining. The roar from the small band of Skryne supporters in the stand could probably be heard down the town when Darren Fox sent over the winning point from almost forty yards out. There was more drama in injury time with Dunshaughlin striving for an equaliser when David Lynch dived in bravely to block a shot which could have sent the game to a replay.
So Skryne move on to a first Junior semi-final for some time against Dunsany or Summerhill.

Skryne- Des McAvinney. Timmy Lennon, Eoghan Greene, Barry Clarke. Paddy Carpenter, Martin Mulvaney, Darren Fox (0-1). David Lynch (0-1), David McGoldrick (0-1). Ronan McCabe, Brian Smyth, Jason Fox (0-1). Allan Carty (0-2), Vinny O'Reilly, Niall Morley (0-2).
Subs used - Cian Lynch, Paddy Doherty (0-1), Kevin O'Reilly.
 

Dunshaughlin Report

Dunshaughlin 0-8 Skryne 0-9

In a low scoring affair, Skryne pipped Dunshaughlin by the minimum margin in this Junior A Quarter Final. Dunshaughlin were in a comfortable position and led throughout the first half. In a ten minute spell before the interval they kicked some excellent scores particularly from live wire Tom Kinsella, Galway native and night shift lover Shane Waldron and big Joe O'Brien. O'Brien operated on the edge of the square and caused problems. Martin Reilly was his usual reliable self on the frees.

The warning signs were there for Dunshaughlin throughout. Skryne came close to goaling on numerous occasions. They hit the woodwork twice and had another shot cleared off the line. They just couldn't score for long periods and it looked like Dunshaughlin would be heading to the semi finals. Dunshaughlin themselves will rue some missed chances and some poor passing. A huge lose for Dunshaughlin was the absence of Cian Gallogly - his pace and scoring ability was something Dunshaughlin needed and the outcome may have been different if he was available. 

The question on everyone's mind after the game, was how many of this team will be playing next year? Could this be the end of the road for the 40's club of Parrick McHale, David Tonge, Denis Kealy,Martin Reilly and Ken McTigue? Will the appetite for the Winter slog in January be there? McHale has a long commute from his digs in Dublin to Dunshaughlin, Reilly's legs are going and his family is growing. McTigue, Kealy and Tonge however look as fit as ever and are determined to keep away from the babysitting duties, so there's no doubt they'll give it one more year.

It was a disappointing end for Dunshaughlin but this team has potential with a good few younger members coming through. Tom Kinsella, Conor Mooney, Cian Gallogly, Adam Kealy and Adam McDermott are all under the age of 19 and have a bright future in the black and amber.

Dunshaughlin: A.McDermott, D. Dunne, Kenny, L. Ormsby, C. Hoary, D. Kealy, M. Devaney, S. Waldron, D. Geraghty, N. Byrne, E. Hagarty, D. Tonge, T. Kisella, J O'Brien, Marty.

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