O'Mahonys ....... 2-10
Skryne ............. 0-10

A goal in each half proved to be the difference on Sunday at Simonstown where O'Mahonys beat Skryne in this hoganstand.com SFC Group B clash

The result saw the holders leap frog Skryne into the second place to take the direct route into the quarter-finals. The Tara-men take third place and a preliminarly quarter-final fixture against neighbours Dunshaughlin.

O'Mahonys created five goal chances and took two. Skryne rarely tested O'Mahonys' 'keeper Marcas Brennan. However, Paddy O'Rourke tested the holders defence, particularly in the first half when he scored six points.

Apart from the significant scores, work rate by key players determined the outcome with Stephen Bray and Kevin Reilly, the latter improving as the hour progressed, impressing.

The game turned in the 22nd minute when Ruairi O Coileain goaled following a good run by team captain Gary O'Brien. That left it 1-4 to 0-6.

Skryne regained parity on two occasions, in the third quarter, they never led again having been 0-6 to 0-3 ahead after 20 minutes.

Moments before netting O Coileain had another goal attempt blocked while Kevin Reilly speculative attempt from an 18th minute sideline kick was cleared off the line by Skryne corner-back Mark Harrington.

Just before half-time Stephen Bray fired at goalkeeper Dean Reddy. Paddy O'Rourke's sixth point of the half left Skryne just the minimum in arrears, 0-7 to 1-5 at the break. Wing-back Ronan McCabe was Skryne other first-half scorer, in the 18th minute, when he collected a quick free by county 'keeper.

Scores were tied twice in the third quarter, the last time being in the 37th minute when Paddy O'Rourke completed his tally. Sub Mark Battersby (two) was Skryne's sole other second-half scorer.

The second goal arrived in the 42nd minute with sub Shane Gillespie and Kevin Reilly playing supporting roles. The latter's delivery was directed to the net at the town end of the ground by Jake Regan. It left the nearly scoreboard reading 2-6 to 0-9.

O'Mahonys kicked-on. Stephen Bray brought his tally to 0-4 by the end. O'Mahonys sub Cathal Smyth also registered with the game's final score while Paddy O'Rourke found it difficult to replicate his first-half scoring feats.

Midway through the half O'Mahonys were awarded a penalty for a foot block on Kevin Reilly. Regan blazed the resultant kick right and wide with his side four points ahead, 2-7 to 0-9.

Skryne almost pulled a goal back in the final quarter when sub John Morley fired low and wide following a fine fetch by O'Rourke. The team in royal blue jerseys lost midfielder Aidan Tuite to a second yellow card near the end.

The scoring rate dropped in the latter stages while the weather improved but conditions remained slippy but calm.

O'Mahonys - Marcas Brennan; James O'Reilly, Niall McKeigue, Darragh Smyth; Brian Dillon, Darragh Maguire, Gary O'Brien; Stephen MacGabhann, Damien Moran; Henry Finnegan, Stephen Bray (0-4, 1f), Alan Forde; Jake Regan (1-5, 4fs), Ruairi O Coileain (1-0), Kevin Reilly. Subs - Shane Gillespie for O Coileain (40), Cathal Smyth (0-1) for Forde (53), Rory Maguire for Finnegan (57).

Skryne - Dean Reddy; Niall Lenehan, Ciaran Lenehan, Mark Harrington; Ronan McCabe (0-1), Tomas McKeown, Darragh Campion; Aidan Tuite, Harry Rooney; Donie Ryan, Neil Burke, Stephen O'Brien; Conor O'Brien, Paddy O'Rourke (0-7, 3fs, 1 45), Bryan Davis. Subs - Paddy Fox for N Lenehan (ht), Mark Battersby (0-2 for Burke (ht), John Morley for McKeown (40), Allan Carty for Ryan (45), David Lynch for C O Brien (57)

Referee - Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille).

Tweet

Most Read Stories