Dunshaughlin 2-09 Skryne 0-15

On a night of celebration for Skryne GFC as they unveiled their new floodlights, the occasion was marked by the presence of Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and Meath County Board Chairman Jason Plunkett. A warm welcome was extended to the 2024 County Champions from their neighbouring parish, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated clash.

Perhaps dazzled by the brightness of the new lights, the referee was slightly delayed, throwing in the ball two minutes later than scheduled. However, once play got underway, both teams wasted no time in setting an intense tempo. The opening exchanges were physical, with neither side holding back in the early collisions.

Both teams got off the mark within the first five minutes, trading points as Aaron Murphy opened the scoring for the Gourmet Food Parlour sponsored Dunshaughlin with a trademark point.

Dunshaughlin, looked sharp in attack, while Skryne, determined to make the night a memorable one for their supporters, responded in kind.Dunshaughlin extended their lead through well-taken frees from John McDonagh and Luke Mitchell. However, an early setback came when Ben Duggan had to be replaced by Sean O’Neill due to a suspected injury. Despite the disruption, Dunshaughlin continued to push forward, with Murphy once again splitting the posts to bring the scoreline to Skryne 0-2, Dunshaughlin 0-4.

After a period of Dunshaughlin dominance in the opening 20 minutes, Skryne found their rhythm and responded with two successive points. Just as Skryne seemed to be gaining momentum, Aaron Murphy produced a moment of magic ,a cheeky dummy hop that left defenders wrong-footed before he buried the ball into the roof of the Skryne net. The black and ambers looked to be in control, but referee David Gough spotted an infringement of the 4 v 3 rule, Skryne were awarded a 21-meter free, which they duly converted to bring Mick O’Dowd’s side to 0-5.

As the halftime whistle blew and the rain started to fall, Dunshaughlin held a slender lead

Half-Time Score Dunshaughlin 1-4 Skryne 0-5

The second half began with Skryne’s young side making their intentions clear, as their No. 15 slotted over a two-pointer bring the sides level , A possible breach of the new rules from a Skryne player to referee David Gough proved costly, as Dunshaughlin were awarded a 50-meter advancement, allowing Luke Mitchell to slot over the first and only Dunshaughlin two-pointer of the night.

Skryne’s No. 8, Shane Smith, responded with a well-taken point, bringing the sides level for the second time. As the battle raged on, Dunshaughlin created several chances but failed to convert, while Skryne edged ahead by a single point.

However, Dunshaughlin’s No. 9, Fursey Blake, had other ideas. His shot on goal was denied by the Skryne keeper, but the ball remained in play. A moment of brilliance followed, Reacting quickly, Aaron Murphy linked up brilliantly with Fursey Blake, who in turn set up Sean O’Neill and With composure, O’Neill slotted the ball into the back of the Skryne net, putting Dunshaughlin two points ahead 17 minutes into the second half.

Looking to keep the momentum going, Dunshaughlin introduced fresh legs, replacing Tadhg O'Dushlaine with Adam Hanley. Ciaran Sheridan for Ryan Robinson.

Aaron Murphy adding another point to the tally, but Skryne quickly responded with two of their own. At this stage, it was Skryne’s turn to breach the rules in a 4v3 infringement, allowing Luke Mitchell to slot over a free and maintain Dunshaughlin’s two-point cushion.Skryne notched the next 2 scores to bring the sides level for the third time.

In the dying moments, John McDonagh stepped up with a fisted effort over the bar, edging Dunshaughlin ahead by a single point. With full-time looming, drama ensued as Skryne were awarded a 21-meter free for what alleged to be an infringement of the 3 player forward rule (4 v 3) , The resulting point secured a draw, much to the delight of the Skryne supporters, who celebrated a hard-fought result against the county champions.

Meanwhile, Dunshaughlin, though disappointed, were already turning their focus to the next battle ahead.

A fiercely contested encounter under the bright new lights in Skryne, with both teams walking away with something to build on for the rest of the league campaign .

Dunshaughlin scorers: Aaron Murphy 1-3, Luke Mitchell 0-4 ( 2f ,1x2pt), John McDonagh 0-2 (1f), Sean O’Neill 1-0

 

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