Unconvincing Skerries get the job done eventually
SKERRIES HARPS................. 2- 10 NA FIANNA............................ 1- 8
Wednesday September 01 2010
ON the way out of Innisfails' ground in Balgriffin last Thursday night, Down All-Ireland winner Conor Deegan probably breathed a sigh of relief as he muttered ' job done'.
Without ever looking overly convincing, Skerries Harps won their second game in this year's Intermediate Championship, with five points to spare.
With the Minor Football Championship due to start next week, Harps held back a number of their promising players. Bryan Cullen, fresh from the travails of the Dubs' Croke Park defeat, lined out in a midfield partnership with his brother Graham, while hamstring-impaired Donnacha Reilly slotted in at corner forward.
Skerries opened the scoring when Colin Daly pointed in the second minute and was then unlucky to see his goal bound shot parried out, but only to Gerry Daly who scored Harps' second. Further points from Harry Dawson ( free) and Bryan Cullen left Skerries four up before Na Fianna opened their account.
Both Dawson and Colin Daly then should have hit the net, but on each occasion took the wrong option. As Na Fianna got a grip at midfield, Skerries were left to rely on breaking ball, with Liam Reddin, Conor O'Brien and Bryan Cullen benefiting. Dawson scored from a second free and Gerry Daly again pointed, while the Glasnevin side replied with two late scores to leave Harps leading 0– 6 to 0– 4 at the break.
Skerries opened the second half with two killer goals – Conor O'Brien picking out Graham Cullen in space on the ' 40' and he gave the goalkeeper no chance for the first goal of the game. Five minutes later, Liam Reddin collected a break and fed Bryan Cullen and his inch perfect pass to Colin Daly was crashed to the net to leave Harps eight points clear.
Na Fianna replied with three points and Dawson hit two from play before slack marking in the Harps' defence saw them concede a goal. When Na Fianna followed up with a point it left just three between the sides with eight minutes to play. As Na Fianna upped their game, the Harps' defence came under pressure and at times were stretched.
A quick breakout saw Reilly one-onone with the goalkeeper, who brought off a great save for a ' 45' which was converted by Bryan Cullen for the insurance point. Reilly then scored a late point to see Skerries home. SKERRIES HARPS: Vincet Hughes; Mark Kirwan, Johnny Garrett, Liam Reddin; Eoin Ellis, Conor O'Brien, Ross McGarry; Bryan Cullen 0-2, Graham Cullen 1-0 Kevin McGrath, Peter Ellis, Gerry Daly 0-2; Harry Dawson 0-4, Collie Daly 1-1, Donnach Reilly 0-1.
