Gaels shade the verdict

Just as there was in the second semi-final, there was some confusion over the amount of injury-time that should have been added as Skryne narrowly lost out to Simonstown following this exciting u-21 FC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. Two minutes into injury-time Skryne were awarded a '45' and believing they had more time to find an equaliser Paddy O'Rourke lofted the huge kick over the bar to reduce the gap to one point. However, after the kick-out referee Richard Morris blew his final whistle and confirmed Simonstown's place in the decider against Summerhill. Skryne didn't protest the premature arrival of the final whistle too strongly and they could have no complaints about the outcome either as the better team won. Simonstown, who were coached by the dream team of Ronan McGrath, Colm Brady and Colm O'Rourke, produced an enterprising brand of football and lit up what was an otherwise very dull afternoon. The heavy rain that fell prior to the game and the howling wind that drove into the O'Mahonys clubhouse end threatened to turn the semi-final into a lottery, but huge credit must go to both sides for serving up an entertaining contest and some magnificent scores. Simonstown were worthy winners with seven of their 10 points coming from enterprising open play, whereas Skryne relied heavily on placed balls with all bar three of their points from frees by Meath's senior goalkeeper O'Rourke and Ian Davis. The battle was essentially won and lost in a tense and extremely competitive midfield battle, which Simonstown managed to shade because of the hard work ethic of Shane O'Rourke and the magnificent Sean Tobin. Shane O'Rourke was pitted against his cousin Paddy O'Rourke and both enjoyed moments of superiority, but for the majority it was the superb defensive attributes of Shane O'Rourke in the second-half that ensured that Skryne could find no way through a resolute Simonstown rearguard. Paddy O'Rourke sprayed around some great passes and gave his lively inside forwards plenty of opportunities, but the difference between the sides was the industry and endeavour of the magnificent Tobin who had a superb game throughout and chipped in with three crucial points. Skryne had several other performers with Ciaran Lenehan excelling at full-back, Barry Farrell doing well at centre-back and Liam Tolan and Brian Davis a threat in the full-forward line, but Simonstown were too strong throughout and with the midfield duo of O'Rourke and Tobin, along with Padraig McKeever and Andrew Kearney also doing well they deserved their win. With such a strong wind at their backs it would not have been unreasonable to expect Skryne to need at least a six or seven-point cushion at the break, but they never took full advantage of the conditions and allowed Simonstown stay in touch throughout before they eventually drew level early in the final quarter. Paddy O'Rourke opened the scoring with a booming '45' after two minutes and by the end of the fifth minute that lead was stretched to 0-3 to 0-0 following scores from Davis (free) and Ronan McCabe. It took Simonstown until the 18th minute before they found their range from a simple 13-metre Shane O'Rourke free. That briefly interrupted Skryne's dominace. Ian Davis resumed Skryne's attacking superiority with a converted free and when Declan Morley blasted over a point and Paddy O'Rourke kicked a massive free from over 50 metres Skryne looked on course for the necessary six or seven point interval cushion. However, in the final six minutes of the half Simonstown lorded proceedings. Paul O'Reilly fisted over from close range and four minutes later he added his second point before Kearney closed the first-half scoring to leave Simonstown in a strong position just 0-4 to 0-6 adrift at the break. When Thomas McKeown was afforded too much room and allowed to stretch Skryne's advantage it looked as if it might be Dessie Finnerty's side's day, but Simonstown were determined. Tobin displayed his genius by finishing off Conor O'Donoghue's great pass and when Lenehan fouled Stephen Moran Kearney tapped over the simple free to make it 0-6 to 0-7. Another Paddy O'Rourke free looked to have settled Skryne, but Simonstown were in the ascendancy. A brilliant run ended with an even better point for Shane O'Rourke and when Tobin finished off Shane Barry's exquisite crossfield pass it tied up the scores for the first time with just 14 minutes remaining. A poor refereeing call adjudged Lenehan to have fouled Moran and Shane O'Rourke popped over the free to give Simonstown the lead for the first time. Brian Davis was unlucky to see his low shot hit the butt of the post before Tobin pushed Simonstown two points clear with a superb score. Ian Davis had a late shot scrambled out for a '45' and Paddy O'Rourke slotted between the sticks believing he had more time to seek an equaliser. However, Morris' final whistle ended Skryne's hopes and secured Simonstown's fourth u-21 FC final spot. Simonstown Gaels - M Sweeney; S McGivney, S Carr, D Moran; S O'Reilly, R O'Connor, C O'Donoghue; S O'Rourke (0-3, two frees), S Tobin (0-3); A Watters, P McKeever, S Kieran; P O'Reilly (0-2), S Moran, A Kearney (0-2, one free). Subs - S Barry for Wattters 43mins, L O'Rourke for O'Reilly 58m, C Carr for P O'Reilly 62m. Skryne - I Gillette; D Hanratty, C Lenehan, L Gilsenan; R McCabe (0-1), B Farrell, A O'Sullivan; P O'Rourke (0-4, two frees, two '45s'), D Ryan; D Morley (0-1), I Davis (0-2 frees), P Fox; B Davis, T McKeown (0-1), L Tolan. Sub - K Reilly for McKeown 56 mins. Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels).