Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Gaeil Colmcille 8pm in Ashbourne

Referee Padraig Coyle.

H/T Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-6  Gaeil Colmcille 0-5

F/T Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2-10 Gaeil Colmcille 0-12

On a week when all eyes are on Cheltenham with the rain pouring down today it was quite the opposite in Ashbourne tonight with perfect conditions for football. This game was played at a very fast pace and from the throw which Don/Ash won, a quick ball from Tomas McGovern in to Dylan Brady was put over the bar after just 20 seconds. Danny McGovern responded with a point from play on 3 minutes for Gaeil Colmcille. With plenty of possession the home side should have been up but were guilty of a couple of wides, one of which was a goal chance which just went narrowly wide from the boot of Andrew Tormey.  Gaeil Colmcille went 1 up, Daniel Farrelly from play to leave it 2pts to 1pt. With a good ball in from Shaun Byrne to Andrew Tormey who popped it over the bar to level matters on 10 minutes.  It was point for point with Ethan Tormey pointing for the homeside before Brian Hanlon put over a point from a free on 15 minutes to draw level.  Tomas Mc Govern made a brilliant interception at midfield and played a quick ball to Shaun Byrne who didn't miss from 20 metres to go 4pts to 3 up. The homeside had another goal chance when Michael Deegan passed to Dylan Brady but the good goalkeeping of Justin Carry Lynch saved the visitors from conceding a goal.  Darragh McGovern was next to get his name on the scoreboard after 21 minutes but Danny McGovern (no relation) replied for the visitors with a fine point from play on 25 minutes. Leo Reilly was winning lots of ball on the wing and gave some great passes to the inside forwards.  Killian Hogan worked hard in centre field and won some good turnover ball.  Sean Curran was solid at centre back with Matt Crumlish and Ethan Tormey having to work extremely hard to keep Gaeil Colmcille from getting close to the danger men inside. Conor Carton at full back had his work cut out for him with Danny McGovern at full forward but he kept him contained.  You would normally put your money on Seamus Mattimoe to score off his trusty left foot but he was guilty of missing a couple before the end of the first half.  Michael Deegan at the other end finished the scoring for Don/Ash in the first half with a free on 26 minutes.  Aaron Browne from Kells put over a point on 29 minutes to leave it 6pts to 5pts at half time. 

Thomas McGovern was first up for the Don/Ash in the second half with a fine point from play after 2 minutes. The football being played by both teams was top notch and when our wing back Matt Crumlish was taken down in the box for a penalty it was Michael Deegan who stood up to take it.  Unfortunately Justin Carry Lynch was in his way and the ball was cleared by Gaeil Colmcille down the field very quickly and Andy Colgan had to make a heroic save seconds later.  James Crumlish was introduced for Leo Reilly. Gaeil Colmcille had a purple patch for the next 10 minutes with points coming from Martin Barrett, Ryan Farnham, Brian Hanlon 2 frees and a point from play from Barry Farrelly to see the visitors go 10pts to 7 up with 48 minutes on the clock. 

Don/Ash didn't give up and knew with all the goal chances they had something had to give and when Darragh McGovern gave the perfect ball to Brady he didn't miss and we were all level again.  Don/Ash seemed to be spurred on by the goal, Darragh McGovern and the hardworking James Redmond who had kept Mattimoe quiet playing at corner back got 2 more points from play. Danny Deery was brought on for Hogan and was only on the pitch when he found himself in the right place after a quick free from Deegan to Sean Curran who passed to the in running Deery to finish to the back of the net.  Deegan put over a point from a free kick on 56 minutes which left the homeside 6 points up.  Gaeil Colmcille didn't go away but you wouldn't expect any different from this team who battled all the way to the final whistle with Brian Hanlon scoring 2 points from frees.  This match was played in a very spirited and sporting fashion from both sides and Don/Ash will be glad to get the win under their belts.  Aaron McLoughlin was introduced for the hard working Luke Barrett who was given the task to keep Hanlon quiet on the night. Stephen Carton and young Sean Tyrell were also brought on to relieve the tired legs of Shaun Byrne and Michael Deegan who both worked tirelessly all game. 

Don/Ash:- Andy Colgan; Luke Barrett, Conor Carton, James Redmond (0-1); Matt Crumlish, Sean Curran, Ethan Tormey (0-1); Killian Hogan, Tomas McGovern (0-1); Leo Reilly, Darragh McGovern (0-2), Shaun Byrne (0-1); Michael Deegan (0-2 2f), Andrew Tormey (0-1), Dylan Brady (1-1).

Subs:- James Crumlish for Reilly (40), Danny Deery (1-0) for Hogan (47), Aaron McLoughlin for Barrett, Stephen Carton for Byrne, Sean Tyrell for Deegan. 

Best of luck to our other 3 Adult men's teams who all play this weekend.

What an achievement to get 7 players on the Meath Minor Football Panel for match on Saturday v Longford at 12pm in Pearse Park. Best of luck lads. We are all very proud of you Aidan, Eoin, Evan, Matthew, Michael, Oisín and Zach.