Skryne denied at the death in tight opener

After going in at half-time 0-6 apiece, hosts Skryne and Summerhill finished on equal terms at the end of 60 minutes to share the A FL Div 1 points on Sunday. This was the meeting of two teams who did the business in the league and championship last year with Summerhill taking the Div 1 title while Skryne took home the Keegan Cup. And it might not be such a bad idea to make this an annual event with the winners of the league and SFC kick-starting the new year. Certainly this turned out to be an entertaining encounter with both sides producing performances that were full of endeavour and bite reminiscent of what might be expected of them when the summer comes and there is championship honour at stake. There was even a pleasant day with spring sunshine to give a 'championship feel' to the occasion and the teams didn't disappoint when it came to providing the entertainment. The motivation of the players undoubtedly came from their unwillingness to concede defeat and their desire to impress their new managers. While Barney Rock made the high profile accession to the manager's seat at Skryne, Cavan man Declan McCabe has quietly taken over at Summerhill and players will be anxious to show as early as they can what exactly they can do. It looked like Skryne were going to mark Rock's first game in charge with a victory courtesy of a superb point from youngster Paddy Fox on 48 minutes. However, just before the end Adrian Kenny swept the ball over the bar to bring the sides back on level terms for the fifth and final time. There were only three points conjured up in the final quarter, two from Skryne, yet the action was never less than enthralling with the play flowing from one end to the other. As might be expected at this time of the year there were plenty of mistakes made. Passes went astray and scoring opportunities were spurned yet both managers must have been content with the draw at the end. It was the fairest outcome. Rock knew when he took over as Skryne manager that he had a big challenge to emulate his old playing foe Liam Harnan yet he gives the impression that he is not too bothered by any expectations. Over the next few weeks the new manager intends to give the full squad a run out. Rock's side didn't have the best of starts in this tie with Summerhill surging into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to well-struck points from the lively Paul Larkin (three), Conor Gillespie, Bobby Lyons and Sean Dalton. McCabe's team have plenty of lively forwards and it was one of their most influential players, David Larkin, along with Stephen Kennedy and Paul Larkin who grabbed their scores in the second-half. Like their opponents Summerhill didn't look like conceding a goal and at times they played sharp, fast-moving football that extended the Skryne defence with David Larkin, Paul Larkin and Caolan Young among their top performers. The Keegan Cup winners enjoyed a good second quarter with Paddy O'Rourke and Ian Davis prominent around midfield. Skryne had more possession in the second-half and their passing was at times impressive, sharp and decisive and that could become a hallmark of their game under Rock. Brian Byrne, Mark Battersby and O'Rourke registered the last three points of the opening half to haul their team level at the interval. Further scores from O'Rourke, with a well-directed point from a '45' in the second-half added to an Ian Davis free and Fox's point looked to have given Skryne victory. Then they were denied at the death by Kenny's equaliser. Ciaran Lenihan and Brian Davis (pictured) stood out for Rock's team. Nobody was complaining at the end about the draw. Neither was anyone looking for their admission money back. Skryne – F O'Rourke; M Jordan, M Mulvaney, A Curry; D Morley, C Lenehan, J Hegarty; A Tuite, I Davis (0-2, frees); A Carty, B Davis, P O'Rourke (0-2); M Battersby (0-2, one '45'), K Mulvaney (0-2), B Byrne (0-1). Subs - P Fox (0-1) for Carty 45 mins, R McCabe for Morley 48m, Summerhill - T McDonnell; K Young, R Hatton, W Ryan; D Dalton, S Husband, M Gorman; P Coomey, D Byrne; D Larkin (0-1), C Gillespie (0-1), B Lyons (0-1); P Larkin (0-4), S Kennedy (0-1, free), S Dalton (0-1). Subs - M Gannon for Husband 46 mins; A Kenny (0-1) for S Dalton 48m, M Byrne for Comey 51m. Referee - David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels).