Memorable occasion as Skryne win Keegan Cup

Sunday turned out to be a memorable day for Skryne as they brought the SFC Keegan Cup back to the parish for the first time since 2004 following a dramatic 0-21 to 4-8 victory over the reigning champions Seneschalstown at Pairc Tailteann. According to Meath Co Committee, a crowd of "just over 5,000" attended Sunday's double-header which also featured the JFC decider for the Matthew Ginnity Cup between Ballinabrackey and Ballivor. Both games produced plenty of excitement, but not even the most daring fictionwriter could have penned the ending of the senior final. Skryne's Paddy O'Rourke drilled the ball over the black spot from a '45' with the last kick of the game, but the Meath player had to endure a wait of about two minutes before referee Brendan Darby, handling his first senior final, gave the green light for the kick. Initially, with the teams tied at 0-20 to 4-8, Skryne were awarded a free about 65 metres out. O'Rourke gave it his best shot, but it was deflected out for a '45' which brought it well within his range. Seneschalstown players lined up in front of the kick. Skryne's Trevor Giles stepped out the distance and the referee promptly brought the ball forward, presumably on the basis that the Seneschalstown players had not retreated sufficiently. About 20 seconds later the ball was placed back on the 45-metre line, it can only be moved forward for a free. O'Rourke composed himself and sent the ball sailing between posts. Credit must go to the Seneschalstown supporters for the fact that they refrained from any form of booing and the game was noticeable for the absence of that boorish behaviour which was prevalent during some inter-county games this year. Skryne captain Aidan Tuite delivered an emotional speech during which he called for a generous round of applause for Seneschalstown, who, he claimed "have set the bar in Meath." "The last time I had to speak to an audience like this was at Liam Tolan's funeral, this is for Liam today. "This is for the people of Skryne, we will enjoy this week," stated the captain. "Liam Harnan came into the club two years ago and we have progressed each year, we've done the business now, this is unbelieveable," he added. Emotions were also running high after the JFC final which Ballinabrackey won by 3-4 to 0-11 at the expense of Ballivor. "We've waited a long time for this and it's great to win a county final," commented Ballinabrackey captain and Meath player Chris O'Connor. "It's not nice to lose a final and I'm sure Ballivor will bounce back next year. "We couldn't have achieved this without the guidance of our manager Pascal Keelaghan, he's an Offaly man, but today he's a Ballinabrackey man," he added. The Ballinabrackey manager had to cope with the passing of his father a fortnight ago in the build-up to the junior final. He was also scheduled to play for Rhode in the Offaly SFC semi-final on Sunday evening, but that game was postponed due to a bereavement.