Skryne 0-16 Curraha 0-9

Neighbours Skryne and Curraha were thrown together for a mouth watering relegation playoff quarter final in sunny Dunshaughlin in front of a sizeable crowd.

Despite earning a win and a draw in Group D, Skryne still found themselves in a relegation dogfight against Curraha who had struggled in Group B with 3 heavy defeats leaving them rock bottom of the group. Nevertheless, Skryne were acutely aware of the danger that Curraha pose, particularly with James Toner making a return to their ranks after a spell away. 

The first half was an epic battle as the sides traded scores throughout. Curraha raced into an early two point lead with Conor Moriarty and Padraic O’Hanrahan registering points in the opening two minutes. Shane Smyth who was electric throughout, got the first of his four points with a fine shot with the outside of his boot from just inside the 40. A point from Gavin Coyle and two frees from the ever reliable Padraig Finnerty drew the sides level at three points each. Skryne were then awarded a penalty after Darragh Campion was pulled down in the Curraha penalty area. Niall Finnerty stepped up to take the peno and his shot to the right hand side of the goal was parried away superbly by Luke McCarthy in the Curraha goal. Indeed McCarthy kept Curraha in the game in the first half with two fine saves from Niall Finnerty to deny Skryne two golden goal opportunities. Frank Carty was also guilty of spurning a goal chance when he raced in on the Curraha goal only to shoot wide. To be fair, this was Frank’s only mistake in an otherwise excellent performance as he pushed hard for the man of the match accolade. The man of the match award today must surely go to Robbie Clarke who was in superb form in Skryne’s defence as he persistently won every ball that came near him. A point from Curraha saw them lead by the minimum at the first half water break. Skryne 0-3, Curraha 0-4.

Diarmuid Moriarty was excellent for Curraha in the first half and in the second quarter he hit four points(two frees). Shane Smyth kept Skryne in touch with two points to increase his personal tally to three. Captain Fanstastic Paddy Fox got his name on the scoresheet with a fine point after some excellent work from Stephen O’Brien to win possession. A pointed free from Padraig Finnerty on the stroke of half-time saw the teams leave the field with only a point separating them. Skryne 0-7, Curraha 0-8.

Skryne had a huddle at half-time and the message was quite clear. We’re playing well, just keep doing what we’re doing and the scores will come and they did, the first a monster of a point from Oisín Keogh from out near the right hand side touchline. Skryne hit the front for the first time in the game when Mark Battersby struck a point from the left hand side after he received an excellent pass from Ciarán Lenehan. Curraha’s only point of the half came in the eighth minute when Diarmuid Moriarty got his fifth score of the afternoon. Darragh Campion who tormented Curraha throughout the game, hit two points on the trot to give Skryne a two point advantage at the second half water break. Skryne 0-11, Curraha 0-09.

The final quarter was comfortable for Skryne as Curraha tired. Padraig Finnerty tapped over his fourth pointed free before Mark Battersby(two points) and Shane Smyth hit the target again. The final score of the game fittingly came from the boot of inspirational captain Paddy Fox who drove his troops forward all afternoon.

Well done to Liam Harnan, Aidan Tuite, Vinny Reilly and all the team on securing another year in the Senior Championship.

Curraha have another chance to save themselves from the drop in the Relegation Playoff Semi final where they play Navan O’Mahonys. 

Skryne: Ian Gillett; Niall Lenehan, Ciarán Lenehan, Robbie Clarke; Frank Carty, Patrick Fox(0-2), Shane Smyth(0-4); Harry Rooney, Darragh Campion(0-2, 1f); Oisín Keogh(0-1), Padraig Finnerty(0-4, 4fs), Stephen O’Brien, Niall Finnerty, David McGoldrick, Mark Battersby(0-3).

Subs used: Conor O’Brien

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