Skryne survive sticky test of mettle

A STORMING finish at Páirc Tailteann – albeit after a third quarter slump – saved Skryne’s blushes and booked them a Leinster club SFC quarter-final spot.

Liam Harnan’s Meath champions looked in a comfortable position at half-time as they enjoyed a 1-4 to 0-2 lead.

But a goal just 14 seconds after the restart from Rathnew’s full-forward Mark Doyle invested new life in the game and teed up a blood and thunder second-half.

Both sides had their chances to win it and resurgent Rathnew looked like they might do so after fighting back to lead by one point with 12 minutes to go.

But just as the finish line loomed, hosts Skryne kicked on with four unanswered points to breast the tape with something to spare.

Ian Davis was the victors’ top scorer with 1-4, including three converted frees in that late four point rally, while Mark Battersby, Trevor Giles and Paddy O’Rourke impressed.

Yet while the county final was a victory for the forwards who kicked 21 points to beat Joe Sheridan’s Seneschalstown, this was all about their stubborn defence.

Rathnew’s International Rules forward Leighton Glynn turned on the style in the second-half, adding two points to his first-half effort while former Wicklow forward Tommy Gill was a creator supreme.

But for all of Glynn’s good work he was well marshalled by Mark Jordan while Gill, who did weave some wonderful attacking moves, was restricted to a point from play.

The victory earns 2004 finalists Skryne a last eight clash with Wexford’s Castletown Sunday week and, significantly, if they keep winning they won’t set foot outside of Navan until the final.

“I thought we were the better team over the hour,” said Skryne boss Harnan. “We missed a few chances and dropped a lot of ball into the ‘keeper’s hands. But I thought we had some great performances out there. I’d dedicate victory to our defenders because apart from the goal at the start of the second-half they did very well and got to a lot of ball.”

That miserly defence limited Rathnew to just two first-half points, a Glynn solo score and a Steven Kavanagh point after a clever ball over the top from Gill.

A total of seven first-half wides compared to Skyrne’s four cost Rathnew though, who fell 1-3 to 0-1 behind after 25 minutes.

Davis kicked Skryne’s goal from the penalty spot after Rathnew captain Steven Byrne, who later went off with a shoulder injury, fouled the high fielding O’Rourke from a line ball in.

Harry Murphy fired up his Rathnew players at half-time and, from the throw in, county midfielder James Stafford reacted by racing clear to launch a shot at goal that was converted by Doyle after being parried. With Glynn and Gill more influential now, Rathnew twice got level at 1-7 and 1-8 apiece before Doyle sniped a 47th minute point to put them ahead. But as Skryne chased victory they picked off four points in a row, three of which came from frees as Rathnew’s defence lost its composure somewhat.

Scorers for Skryne: I Davis 1-4 (1-0 pen, 4f), P O’Rourke 0-3 (1 45), M Battersby 0-2, K Mulvaney 0-1, A Tuite 0-1.

Scorers for Rathnew: M Doyle 1-2, L Glynn 0-3, T Gill 0-2 (1f), S Kavanagh 0-1.

SKRYNE: F O’Rourke; M Jordan, D Beaton, A Curry; J Looby, C Lenehan, J Hegarty; A Tuite, D McGoldrick; P O’Rourke, T Giles, I Davis; K Mulvaney, B Byrne, M Battersby.

Subs: B Davis for Byrne (41), V O’Reilly for Hegarty (inj, 57), P Fox for Mulvaney (62).

RATHNEW: P Dignam; A Clarke, D Power, S Byrne; E Glynn, S Canavan, P Merrigan; J Stafford, S Kavanagh; J Merrigan, N Mernagh, B Mernagh; T Gill, M Doyle, L Glynn.

Subs: D Franey for Byrne (inj, ht), E Doyle for J Merrigan (35), P Ronan for B Mernagh (43).

Referee: G McCormack (Dublin).