League title success for Skryne/Tara combination

For the first time since the formation of the Mid-Meath League - the forerunner of the Meath & District League - 29 years ago a team from the Skryne, Tara area secured a league title with this dramatic victory in the MDL Div 2 play-off on Sunday. This is Skryne/Tara"s third season in existence and the club"s first major breakthrough since the two existing identities in the Ross Cross area joined forces. At one stage back in the early days of organised soccer in the Meath area there were three clubs in the area - Castle Celtic, Skryne Rangers and Tara and while progress was made in various cup competitions a league title proved elusive. The winning goal on Sunday was scored in the closing minutes of extra-time when Mark Jordan displayed nerves of steel to calmly slot home a penalty after Darren Carty was fouled. With the teams both finishing on 49 points a play-off was needed to determine who would claim the silverware. Just how closely the teams were matched could be seen in this contest when there was very little between the sides at any stage. Over the past few weeks Skryne/Tara had a few opportunities to clinch the title and each time they let the opportunity slip from their grasp. It looked like this was going to be a similar tale of woe when Bohermeen led 2-1 going into the closing seconds of normal time. With time almost up Skryne/Tara launched a last desperate attack and applied so much pressure that Bohermeen conceded an own goal to force the game to extra-time. Carty and Jordan were both involved in the move that led to the concession of the own goal. The match had started promisingly for Skryne / Tara when Keith Russell put them ahead however, Bohermeen hit back to find the range the leave it 1-1 at the break. It got better for Bohermeen early in the second-half when they conjured up a second goal and that looked to be enough to ensure that they would be going home with the silverware. Instead Skryne/Tara had another trick or two up their sleeves with their last gasp equaliser in normal time. The win they sought was wrapped up with their extra-time winner. Skryne/Tara manager Dermot Carty, who is assisted by Shane Hopkins, pointed out that this was his team"s 25th league game of the season and in the end all the effort was worthwhile. 'This is the first time since the formation of the Mid-Meath League in 1980 that a team from the parish has won a league title of any description, so we are delighted,' said Carty. 'The work the lads put in was phenomenal. We had 16 players who gave 100 per cent and that was the reason why we won the league, they put in a great effort.' While Sunday"s victory was described as a great team effort the winners had first-rate performances from Robbie Thorpe, Ian Dowd, Russell and Jimmy Looby who came on to make an impression. Skryne/Tara - Brian Faherty; Cillian McManus, Dean Russell, Ian Davis, Ian Dowd, Darren Carty, Dwayne Beeton, Robbie Thorpe, Allan Carty, Keith Russell, Mark Jordan. Subs - Jimmy Looby for Beeton, Cyril Carty for McManus. DIVISION 1 Clones Town 4 NavanCosmos 2 Navan Cosmos lost out to hosts Clones Town in this Div 1 encounter on Sunday and now must face a play-off with the third bottom side in the Premier. The Monaghan side clinched the title with this win, just one point ahead of Torro and two in front of Cosmos. The Navan side didn"t make the best of starts in this encounter as they conceded an early goal. It got worse for the visitors before the break when Clones fired home a second just before the interval. Derek Coogan did bring the Cosmos back into contention just after half-time with a goal from a superbly struck free. However, as Cosmos pressed for an equaliser they conceded a third goal and the home side tagged on a fourth to make sure of the points. Wayne Murtagh grabbed a late consolation for Cosmos. Jason McDonagh and Coogan stood out for Cosmos. As Clones were presented with the league trophy Cosmos could only reflect on what might have been, but at least they have another chance for promotion in the play-off. Navan Cosmos - A Rogers; D McGovern, W Murtagh, M Nicholls, D Lambe, I Reilly, J McDonagh, S Conaty, J Martin, S Ivers, L Ivers. Subs - D Coogan for Conaty, M Rogers for Lambe, W Smith for McGovern. DIVISION 4 Bia Celtic 1 Boca Rovers 5 Boca Rovers managed to overcome Bia Celtic and claim a comfortable victory in this MDL Div 4 encounter on Sunday. The victory means that Boca have secured third place in the division and are now in line for a play-off against Fordrew who finished third from bottom in Div 3. Goals from Roy Newman, Larry Smith, Ciaran Rogers, Johnny Murtagh and William Tormey secured the win over Bia Celtic. Boca Rovers - D O"Gorman; F Smith, R Mealy, P O"Brien, W Tormey, J O"Callaghan, L Smith, B Murphy, M Jacob, C Rogers, R Newman. Subs - J Murtagh for Newman, G Haughton for Murphy, N Kelly for Jacob. UNDER-11 Kells/Blackwater 1 Ardee Celtic 1 Ardee 3-2 penalties Kells/Blackwater were very unlucky to lose this Drogheda Girls u-11 cup final at United Park. Excellent for Kells / Blackwater were Ella Reilly, who was the girl-of-the-game, while Ciara O"Brien, Van Zantern and Kate Moran also impressed. Kells/Blackwater - T Flanagan; C O"Brien, K Moran, E Reilly, E Van Zantern, A Brady, S Bennett. Subs - A McManus for Moran, A Flattery for Brady, L Connell for Bennett.