Donaghmore/Ashbourne v St. Peter's Dunboyne in Ashbourne 6th March 2pm.
H/T Don/Ash 1-8 Dunboyne 1-4
F/T Don/Ash 1-13 Dunboyne 2-9
A great win for our 2nd Team playing in A Leagues for the first time. It was a hugely competitive match against the winners of Premier 1 Championship in 2021. St. Peter's threatened in the first few minutes and went storming into the lead by 1-1 to no score with just 3 minutes on the clock. Kevin Fenton got the home side on the board with a free on 5 minutes and seemed to settle the team. We had plenty of play but were guilty of a few wayward shots before Dunboyne put a point over the bar playing towards the town end. Whatever breeze there was on this bright sunny day favored Don/Ash in the first half. Aaron McLoughlin made a great block and won the ball to stop Dunboyne from extending their lead. This seem to spur on the homeside and Darragh O'Sullivan popped a point over followed by a great point from James O'Sullivan (no relation) on 12 minutes to make it 1-3 to 3pts. Dunboyne made it 1-4 with 18 minutes on the clock which was their last score of the first half, but it wasn't from the lack of trying, it was from the good play from Don/Ash backs led by the experienced Colin Lynch at centre back with Matt Crumlish and Scott Ward to his right and left. The full back line of Alan Murtagh, Aaron McLoughlin and Chris Twomey worked tirelessly. Eoin Ryan used his kick outs to connect with our big man Joe Magee in midfield. Matt Crumlish who was always a threat from wing back pointed on 22 minutes followed by a point from Kevin Fenton from play seconds later. David Carr working really hard in midfield gave the ball to James Crumlish running through and made no mistake when he put the ball in the back of the net to go a point up for the first time in the game. Up steps Matt Crumlish again to make it his 2nd in this dominant period for the home side. Darragh O'Sullivan scored another point from play in added time and James O'Sullivan put over his 2nd from wing forward just before the whistle was blown for half time. Was it enough to in to withstand St. Peter's playing with the wind in the 2nd half? Half time Don/Ash 1-8 St. Peter's 1-4.
Dunboyne came out for the 2nd half with intent and this was shown by hitting the back of the net 3 minutes in and also went on the score a point from a free and another point from play in this purple patch to put them 1 point ahead with only 5 minutes played. Danny Deery went high to collect a ball and turned and put it over the bar to start the revival. This followed another point from Matt Crumlish. Darragh O'Sullivan registered another 2 points from play off his deadly left boot. Jack McCarney was brought on to try shore up in defence which left Alan Murtagh the freedom to move out towards the middle of the pitch and caught some great ball. Dunboyne didn't go away and kept the scoreboard ticking over with some great points from play and always looked dangerous when going forward. Great defensive work kept us in the match and when Sean Tyrell pointed on the 17th minute we were 3 points up. While Don/Ash didn't score for the remainder of the match, Dunboyne only managed another 2 points but were guilty of several wides to finish 1 point down. Darragh O'Sullivan had a shot stopped which was goal bound and would have seen out the last 10 minutes in some comfort but in fairness the Dunboyne goalkeeper made a great save. Darragh Gleeson was bought on for the hard working Scott Ward with 7 minutes remaining. Don/Ash will be delighted with this win as they have had great battles against this Dunboyne 2nd team but always came out on the wrong end of the scoreline.
Don/Ash:- Eoin Ryan; Aaron McLoughlin, Alan Murtagh, Chris Twomey; Matt Crumlish (0-3), Colin Lynch, Scott Ward; Joe Magee, David Carr; James O'Sullivan (0-2), James Crumlish (1-0), Kevin Fenton (0-2 1f); Sean Tyrell (0-1), Darragh O'Sullivan (0-4), Danny Deery (0-1)
Subs: Jack McCarney for James O'Sullivan, Darragh Gleeson for Scott Ward.
