Canavan goal decisive as Skryne stun St Peter's

SFC

Skryne....................... 1-2-11 (18)

St Peter’s................... 0-2-11 (15)

SEAN WALL

DESPITE reaching the last four in 2024 doubts still lingered around Skryne’s right to be included in the ‘genuine title contenders’ category for this year’s SFC title.

Well the Tara side silenced many of the doubters as they registered a massive victory over the other beaten semi-finalists from 12 months ago, St Peter's, in this opening match of the SFC at Pairc Tailteann on Thursday evening.

The bench played a crucial role for Mick O’Dowd’s charges contributing a goal and two points, with the goal the crucial score coming three minutes from the finish. It came courtesy of 52nd minute substitute Andrew Canavan who pounced on James Dillon’s parried block from a Niall Finnerty effort to finish to the net from close range.

That left Skryne leading 1-15 to 0-13 and just about sealed the Dunboyne side’s fate.

St Peter’s were without the injured county duo Ronan Jones and Jack Kinlough as well as Shane McEntee but were much stronger than in the recent league final and gave a championship debut to four-time Dublin All-Ireland SFC winner Eric Lowndes at midfield.

For much of the first half this was a forgettable affair as the sides’ hit four wides apiece inside 10 minutes and only one score, the opening point from Padraig Finnerty.

Donal Lenihan and Robbie McCarthy twice pointed St Peter’s ahead before matters livened up after the returning Darragh Campion accounted for the first two-pointer on 23 minutes.

John Harkin shot a similar effort at the other end but boosted by another two-pointer, this time from Padraig Finnerty, Skryne enjoyed a 0-8 to 0-6 interval advantage.

With Campion prominent in attack Skryne stretched their advantage to 0-12 to 0-8 by the 39th minute. They still led by four after substitute Conor Donohoe pointed on 43 minutes. However St Peter’s enjoyed a spell of dominance after that with Harkin kicking a second two-pointer and Cian Duggan tagging on another score before Michael Murphy struck a sweet equaliser on 50 minutes.

Momentum was very much with Ger Robinson’s side at that stage but Skryne wrestled back control with Niall Finnerty tapping over a free and sub Charlie Swan doubling his side’s advantage before Canavan struck for what proved the decisive goal.

Robbie McCarthy and Donal Lenihan (free) responded with late scores but the horse had bolted at that stage.

Skryne – Ian Gillett; Jack Swan, Paddy Carpenter, Niall Lenehan; Daniel Fitzpatrick (0-1), Ciaran Lenehan, John Finnerty; John O’Regan, Harry Rooney (0-1); Padraig Finnerty (0-3 one two-pointer), Niall Finnerty (0-2 one free), Oisin Keogh; Conor O’Brien (0-1), Darragh Campion (0-5 one free, one '45', one two pointer), Billy Smyth. Subs – James Reeves for N Lenehan 34m, Conor Donohoe (0-1) for Smyth 38m, N Lenehan for C Lenehan 45m, Charlie Swan (0-1) for P Finnerty 49m, Andrew Canavan (1-0) for Keogh 52m.

St Peter’s – James Dillon; Sean Ryan, Seamus Lavin, Jack Scannell; Craig Lowndes, Stuart Lowndes, Cian Smith; Eric Lowndes (0-1), Michael Murphy (0-2); Mark Furlong, Jason Gleeson, David McEntee; Robbie McCarthy (0-3 one free), John Harkin (0-4 two-pointers), Donal Lenihan (0-4 two frees). Subs – Cian Duggan (0-1) for Smith half-time, Diarmuid Delaney for S Lowndes 47m, Cathal Melia for McCarthy 57m.

Referee – Ciaran Flynn (Dunsany).