Skryne lynched as Trim march on

Bakers dozen for ace marksman

Trim 0-3-13 (19)

Skryne 1-1-11 (16)

County star Aaron Lynch scored a baker’s dozen to help propel Trim to the knock-out stages of the SFC at Simonstown on Friday evening, writes Sean Wall.

Lynch’s tally included three two-pointers from frees as well as another six points from placed balls. Boosted by an early goal Skryne led for much of the opening half but Lynch’s growing influence steadily brought the town side back into contention and at half-time they enjoyed a 0-10 to 1-5 lead.

They put further daylight between themselves and their opponents in the third quarter but could never quite shake off their tenacious opponents.

Boosted by the prompting of Darragh Campion Skryne drew level on 56 minutes. Momentum was very much with Aidan Tuite’s side at that stage but crucially they missed two chances to go ahead.

With a place in the knock-out stages at stake for both teams it was Trim who seized back the initiative in the closing minutes and showed admirable battling qualities to dig deep and outscore their opponents 0-4 to 0-1 to end Skryne’s season.

Trim won not just because they had Aaron Lynch but they also had a little more quality throughout the pitch with Conor Quigley, Conor McGinley, Ciaran Caulfield and Brian Bolger particularly effective.

A share of the spoils would have been sufficient as they had a superior score difference than their opponents but when the game was delicately poised in those closing minutes it was Trim who showed the greater intent to get themselves past the winning post.

Skryne made the near perfect start to proceedings with a goal from John Finnerty who finished a Campion delivery to the net and then added a point from James Finnerty. Trim hit three wides before Lynch opened their account from a free. Lynch’s opening two-point free edged Trim ahead briefly on 13 minutes, 0-5 to 1-1.

Skryne then enjoyed a productive spell during which Campion converted two frees and Seán Smyth hit a great two-pointer from play. However Skryne didn’t add to their tally for the remainder of the half and Lynch added another three points while Daire Lynch and Eoin O’Connor were also on target for Trim.

By the 51st minute the lead had increased 0-14 to 1-6 but with Campion a central figure Skryne got back into contention. A two-pointer from the former county player left just two between the sides’ and then substitute Niall Finnerty reduced it further from a free. Rob Gallagher’s fisted effort left it level, 1-12 to 0-15 on 56 minutes and at that stage Skryne were in the ascendancy.

Trim regained the lead after what seemed a harsh free against James Reeves following a great block and Aaron Lynch then converted his third two-pointer following a foul on Caulfield.

A quickly taken free by Niall Finnerty almost produced a goal at the other end in the third minute of added time but substitute Oisín Keogh blasted over. Then in the final action Caulfield fired over to make certain of victory for Trim.

Trim: Eoin O’Reilly; Conor McGinley, Brian Bolger, Padraig Walsh; Cathal O’Reilly, Jack McGowa+++n, Conor Quigley (0-1); David Lernihan (0-1 free), Ciaran Caulfield (0-1); Eoin Sweeney, Daire Lynch (0-1), Tom Carmody; Eoin O’Connor (0-2), Alan Douglas, Aaron Lynch (0-13 six frees, three two-point frees). Subs – Sean Foley for C O’Reilly 49m, James Murray for Carmody, Ian Birmingham for Douglas both 54m.

Skryne: Ian Gillette; Andrew Moore, Michael Doherty, James Reeves; Tom Lenehan, John O’Regan, John Finnerty (1-0); Rob Gallagher (0-1), Shane Smyth; Darragh Campion (0-7 five frees, one two-pointer), Pádraig Finnerty, James Finnerty (0-1); Billy Smyth, Conor O’Brien, Seán Smyth (0-2 one two-pointer). Subs – Oisín Keogh (0-1) for B Smyth 42m, Daniel Fitzpatrick for Moore 44m, Niall Finnerty (0-1 free) for O’Brien 50m, Ian Davis for Sean Smyth 54m.

Referee: Patrick Coyle (Curraha).