Premier Football – Division 1

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Trim

Friday 19.30, Ashbourne

F/T Don/Ash 2 – 8

Trim 3 – 8

It was a very hot evening in Ashbourne and we were in for a treat in this Premier Division 1 contest between Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Trim that really could have gone either way. Trim went ahead by a point early on and never went behind for the rest of the match. They extended their lead to 7 points before Don/Ash brought it back to a 1 point margin with 8 minutes to go. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as Trim dug in deep in the last few minutes, scoring 2 more points and keeping possession of the ball.

Don/Ash were under pressure from the start with Trim scoring 1 – 1 without reply. A long range shot, saved by Sean Hogan was quickly sent down the wings and ended up with Luke Barrett. A dummy right and a shot with his left went narrowly wide. Moments later Sean Hogan pulled off a superb diving save but a it was eventually tapped in by a Trim player being in the right place at the right time.

Our three full backs attacked everything with speed and well timed challenges. The ball was sent down the wings to James Crumlish who shot low but couldn’t find the net. Sean Hogan made another two fine saves before Kevin Fenton went on a solo run and scored a fine individual point. David Carr followed up with another point soon after but a lucky goal from Trim extended their lead to 5 points. Don/Ash had some great passages of play through the middle of the park but couldn’t put the ball between the posts.

After the water break Luke Barrett made a darting run down the left hand wing. He cut inside facing only the keeper. Cool as a cucumber he buried the ball in the top right corner. This was followed up by a Kevin Fenton point from a very acute angle.

A long crossing ball into the Don/Ash box was fisted into the goal but was ruled out for being a square ball. Trim followed up with a short range opportunity but the player took his point when the angles were shortened for him by Sean Hogan.

Half time score: Don/Ash 1 – 4

Trim 2 – 6

Straight after the break a low cross was caught on the volley to give Trim another goal. The ball was quickly moved down to Darragh O’Sullivan who was caught and fouled badly but before he went down he passed the ball to Kevin Fenton who kicked the ball over for a point. Moments later a quick free from Kevin Fenton resulted in a free just outside the box and Darragh O’Sullivan gave Don/Ash another point.

Don/Ash had three wides in a row before good play from Killian Hogan and David Carr resulted in another Darragh O’Sullivan point.

Trim pushed forward and were awarded a penalty after a player was taken down in the box. Sean Hogan saved the penalty with a stretched dive to his right and the follow up shot was sent wide. Simon Wilson made an impact after being introduced and the Trim backs found him hard to mark. He had a couple of attempts on goal that were saved but was eventually rewarded for his hard work with an unstoppable goal into the top right corner. Straight after his goal Simon Wilson was dragged down outside the box, Darragh O’Sullivan took the resulting free and put the ball over the bar. This brought the game margin to just one point behind Trim.

Don/Ash were under pressure for the remaining minutes. They dug in deep and chased every ball but Trim scored another two points to win the match 3 – 8 to 2 – 8.

Don/Ash:- Sean Hogan, Cian O’Rourke, Jack Giles, Aaron McLoughlin, Luke Barrett, Shane Rae, David Carr, Kevin Cully, Shaun Byrne, Kevin Fenton, Luke Wilson, Darragh O’Sullivan, Danny Deery, Ruairi McCann, James Crumlish.

Subs:- Killian Hogan for Kevin Cully, Matt Crumlish for Cian O’Rourke, Faolan Smith for Ruairi McCann, Simon Wilson for Danny Deery, Sam Benville for David Carr