A great performance by the first XV in the Energia AIL 2B North opener against Navan yesterday earned a 44-22 win.
Tries from Rob McKey, Mikey Sherlock and Kieran Leonard, along with a penalty from Jack Litchfield, had the home side 18-5 in front at half-time and captain Kevin McGrath provided the crucial bonus point score just minutes after the restart, with Litchfield adding the conversion to make it 25-5.
Former Ireland Sevens international Hugo Lennox made a significant impact off the bench on his Skerries return, and it was he who registered the insurance score with some trademark quick feet, Litchfield's extras making it 32-10.
McKey grabbed a second with arguably the score of the day, as he collected Ronan Mulcahy's crossfield before beating a a couple of covering defenders and touching down under the posts to make things easy for Litchfield off the tee.
To their credit, Navan pushed hard to stay in touch and came away with a four-try bonus point of their own, but Lennox put the icing on the cake for Skerries, as he crossed for his second with the last act of the game.
It was an impressive showing from Skerries and not least by the two AIL debutants, youngsters To’e Lokeni and Mike Branagan. Lokeni is the latest in a line of players to join the club from the Wellington region of New Zealand while, in contrast, Branagan was born and raised in Holmpatrick and is steeped in Skerries Rugby Club on both sides of his family, notably the grandson of 1944-45 club captain, Kevin.
Next up for the 1st XV in the AIL is a visit to fellow Centenary-celebrating Banbridge on Saturday afternoon.
Big thanks as ever to sponsors, Linesight, Halligan O'Connor PRoperty Consultants, Progressive Credit Union, to our Mariartys SuperValu half-tiem heroes, to all our supporters, and to Gerry Weldon for the photos.