REPORT BY JONATHAN CARR

Clann na nGael -v – Donaghmore/Ashbourne

17th March 2022

What a great morning for a St Patrick’s Day match in the A Football League, Division 2B. Don/Ash, coming off the back of a good win last week versus a strong Dunboyne team, had their work cut out playing away to Athboy’s first team. Conditions were sunny and dry but the lads were playing against a strong wind in the first half.

Stephen Carton started off the game the same way that he finished the game – terrorising the opposition defence. In the first 5 minutes Stephen Carton scored 2 points – one from play and one free. Our forward line worked hard, making the wide runs to collect the ball and attacking at pace. Darragh O’Sullivan scored a point to put us up by 3.

Athboy had a number of wides but scored a goal against the run of play to level the game. That gave them a lot of confidence and they went on to score another goal and 4 points in the space of ten minutes. Donaghmore/Ashbourne needed to get back into the game and put a few scores on the board before half time. Our forwards pressurised the goal kicks and were rewarded when an interception by Daragh Gleeson and a good string of passes involving James Crumlish and ultimately Daragh O’Sullivan resulted in a well deserved goal. Don Ash had the upper hand in the last few minutes of the half. A Daragh O’Sullivan free kick, a James Crumlish point from play and a lovely outside of the boot score from Sean Tyrell brought us to half time.

Half time score – CnG 2-5, Don/Ash 1-6

Don/Ash won the throw up and immediately attacked with the wind at their backs. After a lot of possession and build up play we were rewarded with a Stephen Carton point. From the Athboy kick outs our midfield and half forward line intercepted the ball and we scored another four points, 3 from play and one free. All duly converted by Stephen Carton.

Athboy didn’t get too many opportunities against a strong Don/Ash defence. They scored a point form a mark bringing the score to CnG 2-6, Don/Ash 1-11. Don/Ash made a few changes and introduced David Donnelly and James Brady (for Ruairi McCann and James Crumlish respectively). Good pressure from our forwards forced the goal keeper to err, touching the ball on the ground outside his box. Stephen Carton put the ball over the bar from the resulting free. Moments later there was a good passage of play with Don/Ash being patient and moving the ball over to Stephen Carton on the left hand side. In that position a right footed kicker would consider laying the ball off to someone in a better position but when you are in form and confidence is high why not give it a belt with your left! Another score.

After a bad collision between two of our players Matt Crumlish was brought on for the injured Alan Murtagh. Luke Barrett was brought on for Tomas Cooney.

Athboy pressed and pressed and were awarded a penalty to give them a lifeline. Spectators from both sides were left wondering why but they scored despite Eoin Ryan getting his fingertips to it.

James Crumlish was reintroduced to the game and thanked his mentors with a sweet point putting us ahead by 1 point. Soon after Athboy scored to bring the scores to CnG 3-8, Don/Ash 1-14. This was going to be a tight finish.

Athboy went ahead, then Stephen Carton levelled. Injury time. One last push was needed and it came when Eoin Ryan caught the ball and passed it to Luke Barrett on the right hand wing. A Quick ball to David Carr in midfield was ultimately given to James Crumlish. Pace and determination from the older Crumlish brother. He could have taken his point but instead delivered a killer blow to finish the match with at goal. Game finished CnG 3-9, Don/Ash 2-15.

Well done to the players, Tom O’Connor, Greg Twomey, and the management team. And thanks to all the travelling supporters.

Team: Eoin Ryan, Aaron McLoughlin, Jack McCarney, Chris Twomey, Tomas Cooney, Colin Lynch, Scott Ward, David Carr, Alan Murtagh, Darragh Gleeson, James Crumlish, Sean Tyrell, Darragh O’Sullivan, Ruairi McCann, Stephen Carton

Subs: David Donnelly, James Brady, Luke Barrett, Matt Crumlish