Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Seneschalstown Venue Ashbourne @ 8pm
H/T Don/Ash 4-13 Seneschalstown 0-1
F/T Don/Ash 7-20 Seneschalstown 0-3
As shown from the score line above this was a very one sided affair and it looked like Seneschalstown struggled to almost field a team, but in fairness they went out to play football and the score doesn't reflect the amount of possession they had, which was turned over at a crucial time by very good play from all our Donaghmore backs who were exceptional on the night. Don/Ash went 1-4 up before the visitors scored their first point from a free with 10 minutes on the clock. First half scores came from Simon Wilson 1-2, Faolan Smyth 1-5, Ruairi McCann 1-1 and Rodney Jones, Jack McCarney, Shane Rae, Luke Barrett all added a point each to the already large scoreline. Don/Ash were awarded a penalty after 8 minutes which was very well saved by the Seneschalstown goalkeeper but resulted in a 45 being put over by Ethan Tormey. The same goalkeeper had to come to the rescue on many occasions during the game and on another night could have been the hero.
Things didn't really change in the second half and the homeside attacked from the throw in with the inform Faolan Smyth putting over the first before Ruairi McCann added his 2nd goal for the night. Seneschalstown did score their 2nd point on 38 minutes but it didn't get much better as the goals and points kept coming from the homeside with our corner back Aaron McLoughlin tagging on 1-1 from play. Our goalkeeper Jack Hanningan decided he wanted a bit of the action and moved out from goals to full forward and a roar went up when he scored a point from play. Shane Rae took over duties in goal for the remainder of this encounter. Kevin Cully and Luke Barrett got their names on the board with fine points from play. The visitors scored their final point 50 minutes into the match but this game was all over at half time or before saving a miracle comeback which never looked likely. We can't forget to mention Killian Hogan at centre back and Cian O'Rourke at corner back, Colin Lynch and Joe Magee in midfield who fielded some great ball and made plenty of scores but didn't actually get on the board.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne will face tougher battles but are safe in Premier 1 for another season, which having spoken to a lot of the lads is not the same as the competitiveness of having played in the Intermediate Championship for a number of years. They all feel it lacks that bite of a real championship.
Conor Carey who got injured in our previous match got home from hospital yesterday and we wish him the very best in his ongoing recovery
A big thanks must go to Colm O'Mealoid, John Broderick and Greg Twomey who looked after this team all season and hopefully they will be back to get them to the knock out stages next year.
Don/Ash:- Jack Hannigan (0-1); Aaron McLoughlin (1-1), Ethan Tormey (0-2 145). Cian O'Rourke; Shane Rae (0-1). Killian Hogan, Jack McCarney (0-1); Joe Magee, Colin Lynch; Rodney Jones (0-1), Faolan Smyth (2-7). Kevin Cully (0-1); Simon Wilson (2-3). Ruairi McCann (2-1), Luke Barrett (0-1). Sub:- Stephen Fenton for Jones 50 minutes.
