Skryne ease into Keegan Cup final

For a few brief moments in the final quarter there was a slight possibility that this cumbersome SFC semi-final might go to a replay, but a couple of inspired substitutions, a sublime goal and the referee's whistle intervened. Skryne's deserved win over Dunboyne at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday is not one that will live long in the memory, but the Tara men will not care as they did enough to dismiss a stubborn challenge. In a game that struggled to get the heart pumping it was Mark Battersby's magnificent second goal that ultimately sealed the issue and his strike wouldn't have been out of place in the English Premier League. A superb piece of play by Ciaran Lenehan launched a counter-attack. His sublime pass into the space in front of Johnny O'Connor's goal released Battersby and his finish was of excellent quality. That goal put the game beyond Dunboyne and gave Skryne a 2-9 to 1-7 lead with just three minutes remaining. Dunboyne were given a brief glimmer of hope when Ger Robinson converted a penalty four minutes into injury-time, but Felim O'Rourke's subsequent kick-out was greeted by referee Donal Smyth's final whistle. While Battersby's second goal was the match-winning strike, it was the inspired introduction of Patrick Fox and Brian Byrne to a tiring Skryne attack that added fresh impetus to Liam Harnan's side. Byrne added strength and drive to a faltering half-forward line that lost some power when Paddy O'Rourke was moved to full-forward, while Fox's pace and trickery caused Dunboyne problems. Meath goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke was a constant threat both as a half-forward in the opening period and at full-forward in the second-half with Battersby and Mulvaney benefiting. However, it was the poise and guile of Lenehan and the inspirational Trevor Giles that ensured the Skryne machine kept ticking along. Giles has long been the puppetmaster who has pulled the strings for Skryne and that continued on Sunday. Dunboyne were the architects of their own downfall. They had enough ammunition, but kicked 12 wides and failed to put the scores on the board during periods of superiority. Skryne were the opposite. They managed eight wides, four in each half, but they were much more methodical in their approached and rarely wasted an opportunity. That method and patterned play contributed to the monotony of the occasion. There were very few exciting passages of play and while Battersby's goals were impressive and the general play of Lenehan and Giles were top notch there was little else to enthuse about. When Allan Carty set up Battersby for the opening goal after a minute it was obvious that Skryne were the better side. Dunboyne controlled play for a brief period in the opening quarter, but despite points from Stephen Moran (free), Denis Gallagher and David Clarke they also managed to wides from Sean McGarrell, Robinson and Moran. Skryne responded with Paddy O'Rourke's pointed 50-metre free. When Mulvaney forced a great save from Johnny O'Connor it enabled O'Rourke convert the resultant '45' for a 1-2 to 0-3 lead. Mulvaney could have stretched that margin, but his effort come back off the upright before another Moran free narrowed the deficit to the minimum. Great play by Lenehan, Paddy O'Rourke and James Hegarty set up Mulvaney for a fine score and when O'Rourke kicked his only score from play Skryne looked comfortable again, 1-4 to 0-4. Moran replied with a converted free and Dunboyne had a decent penalty claim turned down when Clarke looked to have been fouled after Felim O'Rourke dropped Denis Gallagher's point attempt, but Skryne maintained their 1-4 to 0-5 lead to the break. Three minutes after the resumption Paddy O'Rourke's free stretched Skryne advantage, but Dunboyne were dogged. Ger Barry saw his dipping shot tipped onto the crossbar by Felim O'Rourke before Denis Gallagher closed the gap to two points. A superb score from Giles was followed immediately by a Nigel Crawford point and when Paddy O'Rourke made it 1-7 to 0-7 early in the final quarter there appeared no way back for Dunboyne. However, Moran's lethal finish restored parity, but spurred on by the concession of that goal Skryne moved into a winning position with Battersby and Paddy O'Rourke making it 1-9 to 1-7 before Battersby's sublime second goal put the issue beyond doubt. Skryne - F O'Rourke; A Curry, D Beaton, M Jordan; J Looby, C Lenehan, J Hegarty; D McGoldrick, A Tuite; P O'Rourke (0-6, four frees, one '45'), T Giles (0-1), I Davis; K Mulvaney (0-1), A Carty, M Battersby (2-1). Subs - P Fox for Mulvaney 43 mins, B Byrne for Carty 43, B Davis for McGoldrick 60m. Dunboyne - J O'Connor; J Moffett, David Gallagher, S McKenna; C Brennan, T O'Connor, G Watters; N Crawford (0-1), C Berrigan; Denis Gallagher (0-2), S McGarrell, G Robinson (1-1, 1-0 penalty); G Barry, D Clarke (0-1), S Moran (1-3, three frees). Subs - G Gallagher for Barry 45 mins, S Hogan for McKenna 54m, M Dunne for Moran 61m, D Lenihan for Clarke 61m. Referee - Donal Smyth (Navan O'Mahonys).