Skryne survive a severe test

Before the hurricane hit the north-east on Sunday afternoon Skryne brewed up a storm of their own as they produced a stunning display to see off Wexford champions Castletown in the Leinster Club SFC quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann. There were times, especially in the opening quarter, when it looked as if the Meath SFC champions would be blown away by their visitors, but once they settled Skryne were the dominant team and fully merited their win. There were more than a few nervous moments in the early stages that Castletown would cause an upset. Wexford county goalkeeper Anthony Masterson was doing damage through the middle, while James Holmes and Jody O’Shaughnessy displayed blistering pace that had Skryne back-peddling. When Skryne found themselves 0-2 to 0-5 adrift after 19 minutes, despite playing with the slight aid of an awkward wind, they must have feared that their bid to atone for their disappointing Leinster Club SFC run in 2004 would end in more failure. However, the one major trait that Skryne have displayed all year rose to the top again. The character of the Tara men cannot be questioned and when the chips were down they dug into their deep well of spirit and determination and emerged with clear passage to a semi-final against Offaly champions Rhode. When trailing by 0-2 to 0-5 Skryne struck five times in six minutes to go 0-7 to 0-5 ahead before half-time and even after the break when they found themselves 0-9 to 0-10 adrift with just eight minutes remaining they still managed to pluck scores from superb breaks. Castletown were a dangerous outfit and Skryne may have underestimated them in the early stages. Their pace on the break and willingness to work as hard without the ball as they did with it ensured they had Skryne on the ropes early on. Skryne have found themselves in similar positions already this year and with the experience of the games against Rathnew in the first round and against Seneschalstown in the SFC final under their belts they showed outstanding resolve. It is starting to sound like a stuck record at this stage, but when Skryne’s backs were to the wall it was Trevor Giles who provided the inspiration to come out with all guns blazing. Many in the large crowd questioned why the former Allstar isn’t still a part of the Meath senior football team and on his recent performances it is easy to see why he would be such a huge addition to the panel even at this late stage of his career. Giles showed a vision and coolness under pressure that many of the county’s top players don’t possess. He is still well able to give and take in any physical confrontation, but it is his awareness and ability to set up attacks from deep that drives Skryne. There were other outstanding threats for the Meath champions. Ciaran Lenehan was once again brilliant and when the battle was tight in the final quarter the full-back line of Andy Curry, Dwayne Beaton and Mark Jordan stood strong. Aidan Tuite eventually came to grips with proceedings at midfield after a shaky opening and while Kevin Mulvaney and Mark Battersby showed well to win plenty of possession it was Ian Davis who impressed with his accuracy. After a man-of-the-match performance in the county final and a decent showing against Rathnew, Davis was once again lethal when given the opportunity and it was his two late scores that ensured Skryne emerged victorious. However, it was Giles that marshalled the win. He found himself at the breakdown and like a director of operations he launched attacks and disrupted the opposition with his tough tackling and exquisite range of passing. Despite Giles’s prompting and probing it was Castletown that lorded the early exchanges. Masterson converted a '45’ after two minutes. Holmes pointed from the kickout and after seven minutes corner-back Conor Carty was ushered forward to tap over the first of two close range frees. Davis settled Skryne with a superb score that struck both uprights before dropping over the bar, but the pace of Castletown caught Skryne on the hop as George Sunderland raced clear and Jody O’Shaughnessy pointed. A blatant pick up by Danny Gardiner allowed Davis convert a 20-metre free, but Carty restored Castletown’s three-point cushion with his second free making it 0-5 to 0-2. Then came Skryne’s revival with points from Mulvaney (two), Davis (free), Battersby and David McGoldrick pushing the Meath champions 0-7 to 0-5 ahead. Masterson closed the deficit to 0-6 to 0-7 and despite claiming to be hit off the ball the Wexford county goalkeeper was told to get back to his feet and head to the dressing room for the half-time break. After the resumption O’Shaughnessy and Brian Byrne traded scores, but the dull third quarter ended with the sides level, 0-8 each, when Masterson kicked his third point. Masterson blasted a great goal chance over the bar to edge Castletown ahead. Paddy O’Rourke restored parity from a '45’, but it was the Wexford side who were in the box seat when Jesse Foley made it 0-10 to 0-9 with eight minutes remaining. Skryne were denied a goal by two outstanding blocks. Firstly Risteard Kinsella denied O’Rourke and Mulvaney’s follow up was cleared off the line by Gardiner, but Mulvaney did level the contest a minute later when he fired over a decent goal chance. A flurry of subs disrupted the pattern of the closing stages, but it was Skryne who settled again with Giles and Mulvaney magnificent as they set up Davis for the closing two points of a pulsating contest that eventually turned in Skryne’s favour. Skryne - F O’Rourke; A Curry, D Beaton, M Jordan; J Looby, C Lenehan, J Hegarty; A Tuite, D McGoldrick (0-1); P O’Rourke (0-1 '45’), T Giles, I Davis (0-5, two frees); K Mulvaney (0-3), B Byrne (0-1), M Batttersby (0-1). Subs - B Davis for Byrne 44 mins, J Quinn for Hegarty 56m, V O’Reilly for Looby 56m, P Fox for Battersby 56m. Castletown - R Farrell; R Kinsella, N Morris, C Carty (0-2 frees); C Molloy, C Morris, D Gardiner; T Sheehy, J Foley (0-1); G Sunderland, J Holmes (0-1), J O’Shaughnessy (0-2); J Lannigan, A Masterson (0-4, one '45’), B Halpin. Subs - E Condren for Lannigan 43 mins, A Merrigan for Gardiner 56m, K Morris for Holmes 60m. Referee - Paddy Fox (Westmeath).