Skryne just survive Castletown test

HOT favourites Skryne were made battle all the way by well-organised Castletown in a highly competitive Leinster club senior football quarter-final clash at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann.

Castletown were competing in the provincial championship for the first time in 29 years but soon showed that they were not there merely to make up the numbers.

The visitors made the brighter start and raced into a three-point lead in the opening seven minutes. Wexford county netminder Anthony Masterson, who fills an attacking role for his club, was Castletown’s main player with a contribution of four points, including three fine efforts from play.

That was bettered by Ian Davis, who shot five points, including the game’s last two scores, to send Skryne through to meet Offaly’s Rhode in a semi-final clash at the same venue.

Masterson gave the unconsidered outsiders an early lead from a 45 and the advantage was bettered with James Holmes shooting over and corner-back Conor Carty moving upfield to convert a close-in free.

However, Skryne worked their way into the contest, their confidence boosted by a fine opening score by Davis.

The Royal rulers were on level terms when Mark Battersby left the board reading 0-5 each after 23 minutes and they led by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.

That lead could have been more as Kevin Mulvaney should have finished to the net in the first period. However, the corner-forward recovered to put over two points in the first half and another on the resumption.

Castletown, however, made matters very difficult for their more fancied opponents with a close marking policy forcing Skryne to work very hard to carve out openings.

The sides were on equal terms five times and Jody O’Shaughnessy had Castletown level soon after the restart. The Wexford side appeared to have the stronger momentum for a spell in the second period and two Masterson scores edged them ahead at the start of the final quarter.

Although Jesse Foley replied to a converted 45 by Paddy O’Rourke, Castletown did not register for the last 21 minutes.

Skryne had two goal attempts foiled before regaining the lead. With Trevor Giles starting the move, O’Rourke and Mulvaney had shots blocked out before the latter levelled at 0-10 each.

Just when extra-time looked a strong possibility, Davis delighted the home support with a brace of terrific long-range scores to seal the issue.

Scorers for Skryne: I Davis (0-5, 2 frees), K Mulvaney (0-3), M Battersby, D McGoldrick, B Byrne, P O’Rourke, (45), (0-1) each.

Scorers for Castletown: A Masterson (0-4, 1 45), C Carty, (2 frees) and J O’Shaughnessy (0-2) each, J Holmes and J Foley (0-1) each.

SKRYNE: F O’Rourke; A Curry, D Beaton, M Jordan; 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 (44 mins), V O’Reilly for Looby (55 mins), J Quinn for Hegarty, P Fox for Battersby (both 56 mins).

CASTLETOWN: R Farrell; N Morris, R Kinsella, C Carty; C Molloy, C Morris, D Gardiner; T Sheehy, J Foley; G Sunderland, J Holmes, J O’Shaughnessy; J Lannigan, A Masterson, B Halpin.

Subs: E Condren for Lannigan (43 mins), A Merrigan for Gardiner (55 mins), K Morris for Holmes (60 mins).

Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).