Skryne 3 – 12 Curraha 2 – 8 Having beaten them in an earlier round Curraha must have felt quietly confident about playing this B League Div 5 final in Páirc Tailteann on Friday. However, on the night the old Skryne tradition of playing every minute of the game, as if life itself depended on it, was the quality which won the match for the Tara men. Led by the brilliant Johnny Quinn Skryne got into this game from the throw in and competed for every ball in every corner of the field. A brilliant mixture of youth and experience was the blend that wore the famous royal blue on the night and all those who wore those colours in the past whether they were looking down from the stand or indeed more lofty celestial positions, must surely have been impressed with the quality of the Skryne play at times.
Veterans like Martin Mulvany, Johnny Quinn, Brian Smyth, Alan Carty and three goal hero Felim O’Rourke led the way in this match. They were ably assisted by an up and coming number of younger players like Sean Cassidy Niall Morley Timmy Lennon, Cian Lynch and Paddy Doherty. In Goals Skryne had their ever reliable Adrian Doyle. The Full back line of James Conroy, Vinny Reilly and David Harrington were rarely troubled on the night. James Looby at number five not only closed down his opposite number but gave him a considerable headache with his darting forward runs. Brian Byrne lorded the centre of the field until late in the second half when he was replaced by Doherty who took up where Brian left off. Curraha struggled all evening with the speed of Kevin O’ Reilly at number twelve. Skryne also introduced six substitutes in this game Des McAviney replaced the injured James Conroy and played a vital part in the defence. Paddy Doherty, Cian Lynch, Paddy O’Leary , Jamie Jordan, and Shane McEnroy also played a huge part for Skryne when introduced.
Skryne took an early lead when Felim O’Rourke slotted home a penalty after Brian Smyth had been unceremoniously pulled down in the square. They were never led after this score. Curraha pulled a point back on twelve minutes but Alan Carty restored the difference a minute later. Carty then fired over another to give Skryne a four point lead with eighteen minutes gone. Curraha were not going to give in that easily and posted two points in quick succession to make it a two point game coming up to the break but Kevin O’Reilly fired over for Skryne just before the short whistle to leave the half time score at Skryne 1 – 3, Curraha 0 – 3.
The second half was only three minutes old when O’Rourke got the second of his goals after good work from Cian Lynch. Curraha pulled a point back but five points from Alan Carty (3) Cian Lynch and O’ Rourke put this game well under the control of the Tara men. O’ Rourke capped a fine night with a third goal to leave the score at this stage Skryne 3 – 8, Curraha 0 – 6. Curraha did get in for two late goals, one from the penalty spot but Skryne finished up stronger and four more points from Sean Cassidy, Johnny Quinn, Felim O’ Rourke and Jamie Jordan ensured that Skryne would have some silverware to decorate the top table at this year’s annual dinner dance.
It is difficult to single out one man for man of the match from a game like this. A total of twenty one players took the field and each gave one hundred percent. Backs defended like it was their homes which were under attack. Center field won possession that they had no right to win and supplied brilliant ball into a magnificent forward line. However, if put to it, I would have to choose Vincent O’Reilly at full back. He was magnificent; he caught everything, distributed brilliantly and let absolutely nothing by him.
Skryne: Adrian Doyle, James Conroy, Vinny Reilly, David Harrington , James Looby, Martin Mulvany, Timmy Lennon, Alan Carty (5), Brian Byrne , Niall Morley, Johnny Quinn (1), Kevin Reilly (1), Felim O’Rourke (3 – 2), Brian Smyth, Sean Cassidy (1),
Subs:, Des McAvinney for Conroy (25 min) Cian Lynch (1) for Morley (H/T) Paddy Doherty for Byrne (48Min) Jamie Jordan (1) for Kevin O’Reilly (50min), Paddy O’Leary for Harrington (52min), Shane McEnroy for Quinn (56min)
Joseph O’Brien Skryne PRO and team manager
