Senior Championship Quarter Final at Pairc Tailteann 9th October at 4.30pm

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Gaeil Colmcille

H/T Don/Ash 1-9 Gaeil Colmcille 0-5

F/T Don/Ash 1-15 Gaeil Colmcille 1-11

This was a game where Don/Ash went in as huge underdogs but the loyal supporters never thought like that and so it was proved yesterday as our team gave a fantastic display of football. I'm sure Mick Deegan will be telling the lads that there is still a lot of improvements that can be made before the Semi Final v St Peter's Dunboyne but we were all very happy leaving Pairc Tailteann yesterday evening.

Our Meath star Bryan Menton opened the scoring with a point on 2 minutes after a slightly nervous looking start but the team settled down and kept the pressure on. Dylan Brady followed with a point from play before Seamus Mattimoe got the first from a free for Gaeil Colmcille. Andy Colgan converted a long range free on 5 minutes before Brian (Beano) Hanlon got another from a placed ball. We were guilty of a few wides over the next few minutes but Andrew Tormey popped up next with a point from play which came from good play from Thomas McGovern. Michael Deegan got off the mark with a point from a free on 14 minutes and that for Michael was the start of a fantastic scoring spree for him, he was exceptional from both play and placed balls with 4 points from play before half time. A crucial goal came on the 30th minute which was started by Sean Byrne who worked extremely hard and covered an immense amount of ground and passed to Dylan Brady who bore down on goals and passed to Jamie Browne who fisted across the goals to the waiting Tormey and tapped to the net. Don/Ash ahead at half time by 1-9 to 5pts with all our forwards playing a part in the scoreline including Daragh McGovern who worked so hard all the way through.

Deegan continued as he left off with 2 points from play before Beano hit for his 3rd from a placed ball. Our third quarter is always a nervous affair but with Deegan on form we finished to the 2nd water break 8 points up. 2 minutes into the 4th quarter substitute Muldoon for Kells struck for goal, following a goalmouth tussle. Dylan Brady scored the next point which was what was required having been unlucky in the 3rd quarter to see his attempt go wide off the post. Of course the pressure was on and even though Kells finished with 5 points in the last quarter (1 free 1 45)we withstood the onslaught. Shaun Byrne popped up to get his deserved point and Michal Deegan closed the account with a point from a free.

I cannot finish this report without mentioning the huge amount of work carried out by our backs lead by our Captain Sean Curran, Jason Boland, Iarlaith O'Donnell, Conor Carton, Thomas McGovern and the young Evan Quinn who is improving with every match. Our subs were crucial when legs got tired and without our squad of players pushing for places I don't think we would do aswell. Well done James Crumlish, Leo Reilly, James Redmond and Stephen Carton who made it onto the pitch but there are a huge number of players who support this starting 15. We have to mention Andy Colgan who as always does something great during a match and no different yesterday in the first half when he pulled off a one on one save which would have been the match changer and again in the 2nd half he saved again which resulted in a 45 been rewarded. The sun was blinding and probably at it's worst for us in the 2nd half and this has to be remembered.

The Moors move on to Semi-Final stage and will have a huge battle on their hands against an inform St. Peter's Dunboyne. We wish you all the luck in the world and your loyal supporters will be there to shout you on.

Don/Ash:- Andrew Colgan (0-1 1f); Jason Boland, Iarlaith O'Donnell, Conor Carton; Evan Quinn, Thomas McGovern, Sean Curran (C); Bryan Menton (0-1), Daragh McGovern, Dylan Brady (0-2), Shaun Byrne (0-1); Michael Deegan (0-9 4f), Andrew Tormey (1-1), Jamie Browne. Subs: James Crumlish (45) for Jamie Browne, James Redmond (58) for Shaun Byrne, Leo Reilly for Daragh McGovern and Stephen Carton for Andrew Tormey.