Skryne v Donaghmore / Ashbourne

6th April 2023 – 8.00 pm

League Round 4

It was a great night for a match but the main pre match topic of conversation was the length of the grass!

The match started with Skryne keeping a lot of possession. They won a free in the first minute that was brought forward 10 metres and the ball was duly put over the bar. Evan O’Kane caught a lovely ball from the kick out but was surrounded by three Skryne players who dispossessed him and took their second point. The ball moved up to the Skryne end and James Crumlish was pulled down and awarded a free. Zach Thornton took the free to put Donaghmore Ashbourne on the scoreboard.

Donaghmore were awarded another free on the right hand side of the pitch but Skryne intercepted a pass and tore down the pitch at speed. Their attacker was taken down just inside the 45 but straight in front of the goal post. They missed that free but scored soon after from good possession and a well worked point. Both teams were playing good fast football and both teams were forcing their opposition to foul. Skryne were awarded another free in a similar position to the last free and it too went wide. A let up for Donaghmore.

The visitors had a spell of really good possession and there was a well taken point scored by Andrew Tormey following good passing from 5 of the forwards. Donaghmore kept pressure on the goal kicks and it paid off. After winning the ball James Crumlish was fouled and Zach Thornton put the ball over the bar.

Skryne scored from a big kick way out at the sideline and this was quickly matched with a really well worked Donaghmore move with the ball put over the bar by Darragh O’Sullivan. Both sides were guilty of missing scoreable free kicks but in the last ten minutes Donaghmore were awarded 4 frees and all were scored. The scorers were Jamie Brown, Andy Colgan and two from Zach Thornton (One of which was a beauty!)

In the last minute of the first half Evan O’Kane made a great tackle, knocking the ball from the Skryne mans hands. The ball went to Jamie Brown whose shot was blocked and a 45 was awarded. Andy Colgan took the free kick that bounced off the crossbar on the way over.

Half time:​​Skyrne   0-4, Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-9

Skryne came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Within three minutes they had scored a goal and a point. They nearly scored another point only for the full stretch of Andy Colgan who stopped the ball going just over the bar. He showed lovely footwork to side step the Skryne forward who was tearing down on him. He will be earmarked for the next time the club are running a Strictly Come Dancing!!

Skryne were dominant in their scoring and kicked a further 4 points without reply. They advanced quickly and in numbers. Donaghmore worked hard to defend but for a while they found it difficult to get the ball beyond the half way line. On two occasions Evan O’Kane knocked the ball from his opponents hands (fairly) to break down Skryne attacks. Great to see it from one of our young guns.

Michael O’Sullivan on for Darragh O’Sullivan

At this point in the second half Skryne had scored 1-5 without reply. Our defence stood strong for a period of 5 minutes where no team scored. Skryne missed two opportunities to extend their lead but both went wide. There was a full moon rising into the sky over the scoreboard. The game wasn’t over yet.

Josh Lancaster on for Zach Thornton

Oisin Daly made a great run right through the middle of the park giving one-two passes. The final pass was to Kevin Cully who was hit with a powerful shoulder. He got his shot away but went just wide. Donaghmore were getting more and more into the game and at last got their first score of the second half. Jamie Brown scored a free and then shortly afterwards won another free that was put straight over the bar by Andy Colgan.

David Carr on for Evan O’Kane

Kevin Fenton on for Leo Reilly

In the last 6 minutes Donaghmore were 1 point behind. A long ball was sent down the left wing to Andrew Tormey who was brought down. A quick free was passed to Shaun Byrne who went straight for goal and put it cooly into the back of the net.

In the last few minutes there was lots of scrapping for the ball. Donaghmore did enough to keep Skryne at bay and won the match by two points. There will be lots to talk about on the train to Westport tomorrow.  Have a good weekend lads.

Team:​Andrew Colgan, Aaron McLoughlin, Evan Quinn, Oisin Daly, Sean Curran, Shaun Byrne, Bryan Menton, Kevin Cully, Evan O’Kane, James Crumlish, Zach Thornton, Leo Reilly, Darragh O’Sullivan, Andrew Tormey, Jamie Brown

Subs:​David Carr, Michael O’Sullivan, Josh Lancaster, Ethan Tormey, Iarlaith O’Donnell, Jack McCarney, Matt Crumlish, Kevin Fenton, Alan Murtagh

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