Following hot on the heels of the success of the U14s, the Skryne U12s have made it through to the final of the U12 Spring League. Their opponents will be Seneschalstown and the final is fixed for Wednesday 8th June in Pairc Tailteann, with a 6.15pm throw in.
The U12s have been playing some excellent football since the season began back in February. Playing in Group B of the Spring league they faced Summerhill, Ratoath, Simonstown, Seneschalstown, St.Patricks, O’Mahonys and Walterstown. This division is an aggregate league with two teams of 11 a-side playing at the same time and the combined score of both matches deciding the result. There is unlimited sub and both goals and point count as one score. Skryne played our Final opponents in the opening game and just came up short by one score so a close encounter is expected in the final. Since the opening game the Skryne lads have recorded a number of impressive victories, winning five or their remaining six matches. The final group game was against Walterstown, who were top of the group having won all the previous 6 group matches. On a wonderful sunny evening in Skryne the lads played some excellent football and won on a 37-27 scoreline thus ensuring a place in the semi-finals.
The results of the group games are as follows:
Date Match & Result
| 14/03/16 | Skryne | 23 | Seneschalstown | 24 |
| 29/03/16 | Skryne | 44 | Summerhill | 12 |
| 09/04/16 | St.Patricks | 14 | Skryne | 35 |
| 23/04/16 | Skryne | 37 | Ratoath | 7 |
| 29/04/16 | Skryne | 38 | Simonstown | 23 |
| 07/05/16 | O’Mahonys | 28 | Skryne | 24 |
| 23/05/16 | Skryne | 37 | Walterstown | 27 |
With all of the group games complete, the semi-finals were fixed for 02nd May 2016 with Skryne facing Walterstown and St.Patricks playing Seneschalstown. Having played and defeated Walterstown in their previous match this semi-final was always going to be a tight and close affair. Urged on by the large number of Skryne parents and supporters the lads emerged victorious in both matches and secured a place in the final on a combined score of 30-26 scoreline.
Skryne Team A have a solid, young upcoming keeper in Mikey Daly. The back in front of him have been led by James Dardis who has been in commanding form and along with Luke O’Brien, James Reeves, Ciaran Quinn, Dylan Murphy, Ciaran Fox and Stephen Corry they have keep opposition scores to a minimum. In midfield John Finnerty and Daniel O’Keane give the team real balance and both lads have covered in defence and popped up with vital scores in matches. Up front the scores have been coming in big numbers for Josh Grendon, Mark Swan, Zak Farrell, Sean McCarthy, Billy Smyth and cousin Ciara. Ciara who like her older brothers, pops up in every corner of the field, has been in excellent form all year, scoring, winning possession, blocking and never fails to deliver.
Skryne Team B have Shane O’Connor in goal. With a monster of a kick out Shane keeps the lads on the front foot. The backs have been really solid with Cathal Lenehan, Cillian Moss and Riain McConnell leading the way ably supported by Ben Armstrong and Conor Ward. The midfield platform has been given by Ben Cherry and John O’Regan. Unfortunately John injured his hand in the U14 final and was unable to make the semi-final. Into the breach came James Mangan and he played his best game of the season so far covering in defence and attack. Up front Andrew Nolan and Charlie Swan lead the attack with great support from Jamie Mullan, Andrew Canavan, Jack Donnelly and Darragh O’Dowd.
Like many Skryne team before them the U12s head to Navan on Wednesday evening, to face neighbours Seneschalstown, aiming to become the latest in a long and illustrious line of winning Skryne teams to grace Pairc Tailteann.
Report given to us by the U12’s Manager Pat Hawes.
