Dunshaughlin 2-16
Skryne 4-10 AET

Dunshaughlin win 5-4 on penalties

If this final is a sign of what’s to come, followers of the Meath GAA club scene are in for a great year. The U19 footballers of Dunshaughlin and Skryne treated supporters to a brilliant game on a very cold but dry night at Fr. McManus Park.

The home side dominated the opening quarter and led 0-6 to 0-0 thanks to fine scores from Sean Smyth (2), DJ O’Reilly (2), Garbhan Mulvaney and Liam Donohoe. Ciaran Sheridan put Dunshaughlin on the scoreboard, but with eight minutes remaining in the half Skryne were in total control after a well-worked goal from Conor Giles gave them a 1-7 to 0-2 lead. Impressive midfielder Evan O’Connor threw Dunshaughlin a lifeline with a brilliant goal and, just before the short whistle, Adam Glennon added a point to leave the half-time score 1-7 to 1-3.

It was a different Dunshaughlin in the second half. By the end of the third quarter they were in front. Five unanswered points from O’Connor, Jeff Foley (2) and Sheridan (2) put them 1-8 to 1-7 ahead. Full forward Giles opened Skryne’s second-half account with another goal and soon after the Tara men were in for goal number three when Morgan Cullen’s long-range effort ended up in the Dunshaughlin net.

Last year’s U19 Division 4 FC winners didn’t give up. Sheridan (2), Cillian Cribben and a brilliant effort from half-back Evan Curley left it 1-13 to 3-8. As injury time approached Donohoe landed a point for the home side to give them the lead, but just before the full-time whistle Sheridan sent the game to extra time from a close-in free.

It was still level after the first period of extra time, with DJ O’Reilly and Cribben trading points. A fortunate goal from Dunshaughlin full forward Matthew Gallagher looked to have finally decided the game with minutes remaining. However, O’Reilly had other ideas and just before the second full-time whistle the lively centre forward rattled the back of the Dunshaughlin net to force penalties.

Penalties came down to spot kick number six. Skryne had their effort saved and, when full forward Matthew Gallagher beat Daire Govern, the trophy was heading to Dunshaughlin.

After the game Trevor Giles presented the Division 2 Shield to Dunshaughlin captain Sean Clancy.

Dunshaughlin: Eoin Slattery; Eoghan Leahy, Alex Rafter, Charlie Leonard; Liam Geraghty, Sean Clancy, Evan Curley 0-1; Adam Glennon 0-2, Evan O’Connor 1-2; Jack Lloyd, Harry Lynch, Ciaran Sheridan 0-7; Finn Hanratty, Matthew Gallagher 1-1, Jeff Foley 0-3.

Subs: Aaron Coyne, Ben Laurie, Bobby Sherlock, Cillian Cribben 0-2, Daniel Morris, Fionn Wall, Jack Conrad, James McEnroe, Patrick Kealy, Senan O’Connor, Denis Sherry.

Skryne: Daire Govern; Max Cory, Conor Reuter, Jack Foley; James Harrington, Johnny Swan, Garbhan Mulvaney 0-1; Sean Smyth 0-3, Finn Naughton; Garret Fox, DJ O’Reilly 1-4, Ulick McDonnell; Liam Donohoe 0-2, Conor Giles 2-0, Hugh Kelly.

Subs: Morgan Cullen 0-1, Adam Fay, Ryan Mooney.

Referee: Thomas MacLeod (Ballivor).

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