Skryne fired by O'Dowd

Meath SFC final/Skryne 1-9 Simonstown Gaels 0-7: After getting a late reprieve for their intercounty star Trevor Giles, Skryne went on to prove too strong for favourites Simonstown Gaels in a disappointing senior football final at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, yesterday.

It was almost the 2003 decider in reverse for Colm O'Rourke's Simonstown. Last year they lost after leading by nine points at the interval but this time they were eight in arrears at half-time and although threatening to get back into contention they had too much ground to make up.

While Giles had his moments and kicked a free in the first half, he was overshadowed by Skryne player-manager Mick O'Dowd, who scored 1-4 as his side built up a 1-7 to 0-2 interval lead. It took the full forward only a minute to get on target and although Ned Kearney levelled, that was the only time the sides were level.

Skryne had the advantage of the breeze and, after settling well, were more assured, their opponents missing a few good scoring chances.

The goal came after six minutes, O'Dowd booting to the net after Allan Carty had a shot blocked by Ronan Kenny. That left the board reading 1-2 to 0-1.

Points from James Gibbons and Jamie Jordan were followed by two fine efforts from O'Dowd. A John Lunney converted free left it 1-7 to 0-2 at the break.

Four points was as close as Simonstown got in the second half. They resumed strongly and when Evan Kelly and Shane O'Neill fired over points, there were prospects of a contest. But after those scores in the opening three minutes, they managed only three more.

Skryne captain John Quinn galloped forward from centre back to score a point and though they added only one more score, from substitute Paul O'Donnell, they comfortably stayed in front.

Points by O'Neill and Lunney should have lifted Simonstown but they failed to add to their total in the last 10 minutes.

Skryne were well worth their latest success, their first since 1999 while Simonstown still seek their first.

SKRYNE: F O'Rourke; D Rogan, D Donnelly, G Geraghty; N Hamill, J Quinn (0-1), M Mulvaney; T Giles (0-1), J McDermott; B Smyth, J Gibbons (0-1), J Jordan (0-1); K Mulvaney, M O'Dowd (1-4), A Carty. Subs: P O'Donnell (0-1) for K Mulvaney; A Curry for Geraghty; J Looby for Jordan, C Kennedy for Carty.

SIMONSTOWN: R Kenny; S Leddy, A Meade, E Donoghue; S Kenny, H Traynor, R Brady; P Meade, S O'Neill (0-2); S Kennedy, C McGrath, N Kearney (0-1); C Brady, E Kelly (0-1), J Lunney (0-3). Subs: R McGrath for C McGrath; HJ O'Reilly for P Meade; E O'Reilly for Kearney.

Referee: D Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels).