Skryne 3-15 Ballinabrackey 1-20

Skryne will take on Ratoath in the Meath Senior Football Championship semi final after this dramatic one point win over Ballinabrackey at Pairc Tailteann.

Mick O’Dowds men were dealt a blow in the early stages of the game, losing influential midfielder Harry Rooney to injury. Playing with the wind Skryne failed to take full advantage of the elements. The Tara men got a great start with a Daniel Fitzpatrick goal. Ballinabrackey, appearing in their first ever SFC quarter final, were on level terms by the 5th minute thanks to points from Damien Carroll and the impressive Danny Quinn. Skryne held a four point advantage as the hooter sounded but full back Ciaran Lenehan increased that to six with a fabulous two pointer to bring the opening half to an end. Half time Skryne 1-10 Ballinabrackey 0-7.

Niall Smullen won possession from the throw in and sent over a two pointer to narrow the lead. Ciaran Giblin’s men were dealt another blow soon after when Skryne’s substitute Shane Smyth’s effort ended up in the net. Campion added his 6th and Conor O’Brien with his first and the lead was out to nine after 38 minutes. 

Corner back Conor Ennis kicked started the Ballinabrackey revival with a two pointer. Seamus Curry raised another orange flag to leave the two goals in it with 17 minutes remaining. The Offaly border outfit were back in it on the 54th minute when Mark Coffey finished to the Skryne net. A minute later Smullen had the game all square with his third two pointer. Danny Quinn got in on the two pointer act and Ballinabrackey were in front and looking good to create more history.

Skryne managed to find some composure and with a minute remaining John Finnerty palmed the ball to the back of the Ballinabrackey net to put his team one up. The drama didn’t end there. Ballinabrackey retained possession as the hooter sounded and won a free outside the arc. Danny Quinn stepped up for a match winning two pointer but his effort came back of the upright and into Skryne hands to end a brilliant contest.

Skryne scorers: Darragh Campion 0-7, Shane Smyth 1-1, Niall Finnerty 0-3, Daniel Fitzpatrick and John Finnerty 1-0 each, Cian Lenehan 0-2, Billy Smyth and Conor O’Brien 0-1 each

Ballinabrackey scorers: Danny Quinn 0-7, Niall Smullen 0-6, Mark Coffey 1-0, Conor Ennis and Seamus Curry 0-2 each, Damien Carroll, David Carroll and Sean Kananagh 0-1 each

Referee Kieran Olwell

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