Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Seneschalstown in S Mary's Donore at 12 noon 18th September.
Referee: Stephen Dawson
This is a place no team wants to be but you have to take the consequences when you end up 3rd in a group of 4. It was probably the toughest group in the championship with none of the teams involved being relegated with the latest result from Trim after Simonstown coming through their relegation match winning on penalties. It won't be a year that our lads will remember with fondness but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. The lads have shown great character all year when the team was inflicted with injuries but there was always someone else to take up the mantle. Today was no different and the team that took the field played with such heart and character everyone in our club should be very proud of them and hope that next year brings better results.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne started very well with Shaun Byrne opening the scoring after just 90 seconds on the clock. Jamie Browne and Leo Reilly followed suit and put Don/Ash 3 points up before Seneschalstown got their first point from a free from the boot of Cathal Finnegan. Andy Colgan was called on to convert a 45 following good work from Darragh McGovern who forced the 45. Donaghmore/Ashbourne had lots of possession and probably should have been more ahead but were guilty of turnovers in scoring positions. Our backs were keeping it very tight and seemed to have the measure of the quick running Seneschalstown players but when Cathal Hickey drove through and lobbed the ball into the top corner of the Don/Ash net it was a level game on 12 minutes. Andy Colgan was called on again with a long range free put over the bar half way through the first half. Thomas McGovern who had No 15 on his back but was playing sweeper picked up a lovely ball which was passed to Bryan Menton who ran forward, passed to Jamie Browne who passed at the precise time required for Dylan Brady to finish with a goal to go 1-5 to 5pts up. Don/Ash seemed to go up a gear and took control of the match with fine points from Thomas McGovern, Bryan Menton followed by a cracker of a goal from Shaun Byrne with Mento and Darragh McGovern providing the passes. Good work all over the pitch from goalkeeper Andy Colgan pulling off a certain goal with 2 minutes left on the clock in the first half. Seneschalstown did put over some fine scores from 2 frees and a 45 all from the boot of Cathal Finnegan. Conor Carton, Iarlaith O'Donnell and Luke Barrett were doing well to contain any threat from the full forward line from play.
Half Time:- Don/Ash 2-7 Seneschalstown 1-5.
James Crumlish was introduced at half time for Shaun Byrne who went into the match carrying an injury but had done his bit scoring 1-1 from play in the first half. Both sides were guilty of some wides in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half but it was Kevin Fenton to get a point from play after some exciting play from the Moors which saw Jamie Browne catch a great ball inside but just couldn't get his shot away when he was surrounded by a number of Seneschalstown players. Cathal Finnegan scored a point from a free to leave the match 2-8 to 1-6 and Don/Ash leading by 5pts. That would all change in the 38th minute which saw Andy Colgan taking down an in running forward with an absolute definite goal on the cards but the result was Andy getting a black card. We are blessed with having 2 good goalkeepers in the squad and Jack Hannigan was brought on forcing the removal of an outfield player for 10 minutes. Thomas McGovern answered the call and Seneschalstown converted the penalty leaving it a tense affair with only 2 points between the teams. It certainly got their tails up and got another point from a 45, 2-8 to 2-7 with only the minimum between the teams.
That was to be the last score for Seneschalstown in the second half where all their scores came from placed balls. There was a tussle between Conor Carton and Cathal Finnegan where the outcome was a yellow card for Conor and a Red Card for the Seneschalstown player on the word of linesman Cormac Reilly who was right beside the incident. Don/Ash kicked on with fine points scored from play from Bryan Menton, Darragh McGovern, Thomas McGovern (back on 48 minutes), Michael Deegan who came on for Fenton with 6 minutes left in normal time.
Ethan Tormey was brought on for Darragh McGovern who had just scored his 2nd point and had played very well for 55 minutes. Leo Reilly ended with a point in injury time to leave it 2-15 to 2-7 and an emphatic victory for the men in green and white. Sean Curran played a captains role as usual and Shane Melia has settled well into centre back position. With plenty of younger lads like Kevin Cully, Evan Quinn (injured), Killian Hegarty and the Crumlish brothers we have plenty to look forward to next season. It would be remiss of me (and lads would be disappointed) if I did not mention Andrew Tormey who had been ruled out by injury over the last few matches. Many thanks to all those who travelled to support our senior team and to our mangement team of Mick Deegan, Leon Tormey and Stephen Watters. All our back room team who do the stats etc and of course our Physio Richie. Better times ahead in Senior Championship.
Don/Ash team:- Andy Colgan (0-2 1f 145), Luke Barrett, Conor Carton, Iarlaith O'Donnell, Sean Curran (0-1), Shane Melia, Shaun Byrne (1-1), Bryan Menton (0-2), Leo Reilly (0-2), Dylan Brady (1-1). Darragh McGovern (0-2), Kevin Fenton (0-1), Jamie Browne (0-1), Thomas McGovern (0-2).
Subs:- Jack Hannigan for Thomas McGovern - Andy Colgan (BC), James Crumlish for Shaun Byrne (HT), Michael Deegan for Kevin Fenton, Ethan Tormey for Darragh McGovern.
A special word of congratulations to our Premier 1 team and Management on a brilliant win in the final yesterday.
