Report by Jonathan Carr

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v- Ballinlough

5th April 2022

There was a strong wind in Ashbourne tonight blowing down towards the town end. Don/Ash had the wind at there back in the first half and in a match like this against Ballinlough’s first team you need to build a sizeable lead as you know the tables will be turned around in the second half.

David Carr and Alan Murtagh playing in midfield won the throw up and the ball broke out to Leo Reilly on the left hand side of the pitch. A quick ball to Stephen Carton, one touch and with his back to goal shot and scored the first point of the game. Two minutes later Leo Reilly intercepted the ball but this time went for a point himself. Kicking high and to the right of the post we thought it was going wide but he put enough curl on the ball to make it a sensational point.

Ballinlough were not going to let Don/Ash have it all their own way and they were a physically tough opponent. They had two wides followed by a point. Another Ballinlough free was just short and caught on the line by Colin Lynch. Two wides from Don/Ash from play was followed by a Stephen Carton point coming from a free just on the 45 line. Another Stephen Carton free was scored from just outside the D. We then had a few minutes of bemusement when Kevin Fenton scored what seemed like a good point from far out, the umpire waved his flag confirming the point but the referee deemed it wide.

After Ballinlough scored their second point of the game Don/Ash followed it up with four point in a row. A brace from Stephen Carton and a point each for Darragh O’Sullivan and Leo Reilly. The three forwards linked up well in attack.

Half time score – Don/Ash 0-9, Ballinlough 0-2

Ballinlough needed to attack early on in the second half and they did so, scoring two points in a row. The Don/Ash team worked hard keeping them as far away from the goal as possible. It was not a night for long high balls so they work the ball up through the ranks by hand and short passes. A short pass from Stephen Carton to David Carr was duly put over the bar, straight as a dye. Pressure on the goal kick by Don/Ash resulted in Tomas Cooney belting the ball from far out. It was dipping all the way and could have been a goal but Tomas’s parents will be happy with his point!

The Don/Ash backs were giving nothing away without a battle. Colin Lynch in no. 6 led by example. I would like to say that he won all his 50/50 balls but when you are against Colin Lynch there is no such thing as a 50/50. The man must have Velcro on his fingers. Throughout the match our three full backs (Chris Twomey, Luke Barrett and Aaron McLoughlin) were comfortable running the ball from one end of the pitch to the other, taking the pressure off our defence.

David Carr in midfield gave a 30 yard pass to Tomas Cooneyon the left hand side of the goal. Screaming down the right hand side was Sean Tyrell who took the pass from Toms Cooney and scored a rocket of a goal, giving the keeper no chance.

Joe McGee was introduced for Leo Reilly and immediately made an impact, winning a ball in midfield. Although Don/Ash had lots of possession in the next 10 minute segment they only scored one point from a Darragh O’Sullivan free to Ballinlough’s 3 points. The final score of the match was kicked over by Darragh O’Sullivan. David Donnelly, Darragh Gleeson and Ruairi McCann were introduced for Stephen Carton, Sean Tyrell and Darragh O’Sullivan respectively.  

Final score – Don/Ash 1-13, Ballinlough 0-7

Team: Alex Ward, Aaron McLoughlin, Luke Barrett, Chris Twomey, Tomas Cooney, Colin Lynch, Scott Ward, David Carr, Alan Murtagh, Leo Reilly, James Crumlish, Sean Tyrell, Darragh O’Sullivan, Kevin Fenton, Stephen Carton

Subs: David Donnelly, Matt Crumlish, Ruairi McCann, Joe McGee, Darragh Gleeson