Donaghmore/Ashbourne made it two wins from two in the Hanley’s Clean Meals Intermediate Hurling Championship with an 11-point victory over Gaeil Colmcille on Saturday evening.
The traditional green jerseys and white shorts were paired with red and white striped socks in a nod to the late Dónal Ó Loingsigh on a perfect night for hurling in Dunboyne.
As they did in the opening round against Killyon, the Moors got off to a flying start, with Cian Field, Davey Carey and Conor O’Farrell tacking on early scores before Kells got off the mark with a simple free.
Cathal Field fired over Don/Ash’s fourth and O’Farrell’s pace started to cause issues for the Kells backline, as he eased over two more scores. Kells did respond with two further frees, before Carey responded.
Don/Ash were dominating anytime the ball came near their own goal and it led to a number of chances going forward. Just before the half, a long Carey free was dropping short, only for Oisin Mulhall to get between two Kells defenders and flick it towards goal, the bounce taking it past the goalkeeper. The sides swapped another free apiece to leave Don/Ash seven clear at the break, 1-8 to 0-4.
Another two Carey frees were sandwiched around a score from Martin Quinn before Kells managed to register their first two scores of the second half with a brace of frees. Another from play narrowed the gap to six, but that was as close as it got. Another high ball in was caught by Mulhall, who offloaded to sub James Crumlish, who fired into the far corner.
It sunk the Kells comeback, with another couple of O’Farrell scores widening the gap again before two more efforts from play from the north Meath side.
Some more resolute defending allowed Don/Ash to keep another clean sheet, with Carey, sub Jack Butler and O’Farrell rounding off the scoring.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2-16 0-11 Gaeil Colmcille.
Team: Stephen Meagher, Shane Duke, Aonghus Mulvihill, Daragh Walsh; Shane Rea, Sam Benville, Danny Deery; Cian Field (0-01), Luke Andrews, Cathal Field (0-01), Terry Bruton, Martin Quinn (0-01); Conor O’Farrell (0-06); Davey Carey (0-06, 0-03f), Oisin Mulhall (1-00)
Subs: Jack Butler (0-01), Colm Randle, James Crumlish (1-00), David Kent, Thomas Burnell
Next up for the Moors is a clash with neighbours Ratoath in two weeks time.
Many thanks to David Kent for report.
full photo album thanks to Dermot Duke here
https://www.flickr.com/gp/153870276@N05/0257WY
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