Skryne maintained their Division 1 League status for another year at the expense of Moynalvey in this Husqvarna Centre PR Coyne Div. 1 league relegation playoff played at Dunshaughlin on Thursday evening 23rd July.

Moynalvey 2-11
Skryne 3-12

Skryne’s habit of relegating Moynalvey in recent years continued, as having relegated Moynalvey from the senior championship ranks at the end of 2023, they did so here in the league in 2026 also.

Being the only intermediate side in division one, Moynalvey’s brief stint in the top tier of Meath league football came to an end with defeat to Skryne in this relegation playoff which will see the men in maroon play division two league football in 2027.

Skryne’s win was largely influenced by former county player Darragh Campion who turned in a man of the match performance, while wearing the number 14 jersey he was everywhere in a roving role for Aidan Tuite’s side.

Indeed, it was Campion who opened the scoring after ninety seconds and Skryne’s blistering start continued when Conor O’Brien had the ball in the back of the Moynalvey net, 1-1 to 0-0 after two and a half minutes.

Moynalvey’s opening score came in the sixth minute with Padraic Harnan passing into Vinny Walsh who blazed over from an acute angle, which was followed by a Cillian O’Sullivan free, leaving it double scores 1-1 to 0-2 with eight minutes gone.

Skryne then reeled off 1-3 without reply, a brace of frees from Darragh Campion the first of which was close range after being brought in due to indiscipline from Moynalvey’s Sean Duggan, a Sean Smyth point and their second goal coming from Rob Gallagher who volleyed home after a high ball in caused confusion in the Moynalvey defence extending Skryne’s advantage to eight, 2-4 to 0-2.

Cillian O’Sullivan and Padraig Finnerty traded scores, O’Sullivan’s being a two point free in the 20th minute. Over elaboration from Skryne saw Conor Egan pull off a fine save to deny them a third goal and from here Moynalvey grew into the game with Padraic Harnan coming to the fore in particular, Barry O’Keeffe’s charges with 1-3 to leave just a point between the sides as they retreated to the dressing rooms.

Moynalvey’s goal coming when Cillian O’Sullivan found Padraic Harnan who turned and made no mistake firing past Ian Gillett in the Skryne goal for Moynalvey’s first green flag. Harnan’s goal was followed by a Vinny Walsh point following good combination play with Mark O’Sullivan and Harnan then rounded off the half’s scoring with a two pointer out on the right wing to leave the score board read 2-5 to 1-7 when referee Derek Ryan blew for half time.

Skryne’s half time advantage was extended to four within four minutes of the restart, Oisin Keogh firing over followed by a two pointer from Padraig Finnerty, 2-8 to 1-7.

Vinny Walsh pointed a free for Moynalvey, but a pair of Darragh Campion frees put five between the sides, 2-10 to 1-8.

A pair of Cillian O’Sullivan frees either side of a John O’Regan point for Skryne left the margin at four, but the nail was put in the Moynalvey coffin in the 56th minute when Oisin Keogh fielded a high ball in and bet a couple of defenders before firing to Conor Egan’s net leaving seven between the sides with four minutes remaining, 3-11 to 1-10.

Sean Smyth sent over Skryne’s final score on the hour mark with Moynalvey tagging on late consolation scores in added time, a point from Evan Drum and a goal from Vinny Walsh with the last play of the game to confirm Moynalvey’s relegation and Skryne’s safety on a full time score line of 3-12 to 2-11.

Next up for Moynalvey is Meath Hill in the IFC round one on Sunday 9th August in Simonstown.

Moynalvey team and scorers: Conor Egan, Sean McDonagh, Michael Brady, Charlie McCormack, Brian O’Reilly, Darren Brennan, Craig Gilsenan, Barry Walsh, Padraic Harnan (1-2: incl 1x2pt), Sean Duggan, Adam Murphy, Hugh O’Sullivan, Vinny Walsh (1-3, 1f), Mark O’Sullivan, Cillian O’Sullivan (0-5f: incl 1x2ptf).

Subs used: William Harnan for Duggan, James Kelly for M. O’Sullivan, Evan Drum (0-1) for Murphy, Cian Williams for O’Reilly. 
 

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