Tara men expected to continue march to coronation

SFC PREVIEW

Anyone who said that Skryne’s run to the SFC semi-final in 2024 was a fluke have undoubtedly been proven wrong already, writes Tom Gannon.

Mick O’Dowd’s charges have gone from being fortunate to escape relegation in 2023 to now being a major contender for the Keegan Cup in 2025. It's been an incredible journey and what makes it even more special is that they play such a lovely brand of football.

The same cannot be said about the brand of football that Ballinabrackey were playing in 2024 and even under the old rules, that suited defensive set-ups, the Brack’s negative tendencies nearly cost them their SFC status 12 months ago.

Credit where credit is due, though, for a team that were so defensively minded, Ciaran Giblin’s squad have adapted incredibly well to the new rules and they have been rewarded with a first SFC quarter-final appearance in their 105 year history.

Ballinabrackey still have that resolute, determined defending in them but they have added a free-flowing attacking aspect to their armour and they are a very well rounded team.

If there was one area that Ballinabrackey supporters could point to as key to their set-up, it would be their Coffey-filled half-back line. Richie, Sean and Mark have been phenomenal this year and for three quarters of their opening round game had the better of a very talented Ratoath half-forward line.

Those three in particular will have to be at their very best though against Skryne as the Tara men are frighteningly strong in the middle third.

John O’Regan is a serious footballer and is surely catching the eye of Robbie Brennan with his performances so far. Surrounding him in the middle are the likes of the Finnertys, Harry Rooney, the veteran Ciaran Lenehan.

Darragh Campion and Conor O’Brien like to drop out to collect possession before advancing forward, so that Skryne threat from deep is a massive asset to them and hard to deal with.

There is a reason why the bookies have priced Skryne up as the most likely quarter-finalists to advance, and no disrespect to Ballinabrackey but it’s very hard to see anything other than a win for the men in blue in Pairc Tailteann on Saturday, throw-in at 3pm.

Prediction - Skryne.