DONAGHMORE ASHBOURNE 6-12  KILDALKEY 3-16

DONAGHMORE ASHBOURNE marked their return to minor Division 1 hurling after a 30 year gap with a powerful show at Father Plunkett Memorial Park.

This was a performance to savour from a side that remains unbeaten this year, and with a Division 2 League final to look forward to. 

If the team can win at home to Dunderry in a fortnight, or away to Clann na nGael in the final round, they will secure a semi-final spot.

It promises to be a big occasion when Dunderry come to the club needing to win, after a nine point opening round loss to Clann na nGael. 

From a place where the team were struggling at times in Division 2 in previous years, they are now competing very well, and won by five points here after a seesaw battle.

The squad has been bolstered by the return of the likes of Alex Devine and Sam Ryan this year, giving good depth and options for the management.

And it all came together yesterday with some big displays across the side.

Oisin Daly did a great man marking job on a dangerous opponent as Kildalkey picked off their points very well throughout the game.

Crucially the home side didn’t get in for their second or third goals until late on, thanks to some very committed defending.  

The team also coped with the loss of powerhouse defender Jodev Puchon to a hamstring injury 10 minutes into the game with under-15 Tom Ryan stepping in and delivering a great performance at wing back.  

On song centre back, Ben Mather was also forced out of the game with a finger problem midway through the second half, but the team regrouped and stuck to their task, absorbing the blow.

In came Niall O’Sullivan to grab a crucial goal, crashing to the top corner after a fine pass by Michael O’Sullivan, who was bang on form. 

The latter converted all his frees, scored from play off both sides and got among the goals. 

Sean Doyle also got among the goals, with his now familiar leap of joy after hitting the net. 

Aidan Mackey had a few first half misses but popped over a couple of crucial points when the team needed them after the second water break, with the lead reduced to three. 

Alex Devine went deep to win and lay off some very important ball and was a nuisance for the home defence, with Evan O’Kane powerful in the air and Tomas Gaughan busy and industrious on the wing.  

Rhys Thomas and Cael Sullivan were powerhouses in the middle of the field getting through a tonne of work, with Fionnon Hogan doing what a good full back does, and giving nothing away. 

Cian Dowling, another under-15, had a big game in defence and Sam Ryan continued his upward trajectory, winning tonnes of ball and delivering it inside.

Goalie, Conor Lawless is also an under-15, but has done a serious job for the team this year.

He made some important blocks as well as finding his men all day with short and long puck outs. 

It was a great day for the team and the club, with all teams in both codes now competing in Division 1.

And it comes after the under-15 hurlers recent Division 1 win over Navan, following their promotion this year. 

DONAGHMORE-ASHBOURNE: Conor Lawless, Jodev Puchon,  Fionnon Hogan, Cian Dowling, Sam Ryan, Ben Mather, Oisin Daly, Cael Sullivan, Rhys Thomas, Tomas Gaughan, Aidan Mackey, Evan O’Kane, Sean Doyle, Alex Devine, Michael O’Sullivan, Niall O’Sullivan, Tom Ryan.