Feis Cup - First Round – Group B Simonstown v Donaghmore/Ashbourne in Simonstown Friday 3rd February at 8pm.
H/T Simonstown 0-4 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-3
F/T Simonstown 0-11 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-8
The first match of the year is always one that people look forward to after the break over Christmas. Donaghmore/Ashbourne support didn’t disappoint as a good crown turned up in Simonstown to see what changes new Management would bring to our Senior team. Our new management of Padraig Durkan and Shane Treanor along with Vinny Carton in the backroom team are all inhouse appointments. We wish them well for the coming year.
New players were introduced making their debut in the senior ranks and all fitted in seamlessly, Oisín Daly, Alex Ward, Evan O’Kane, Josh Lancaster, Michael O’Sullivan and Eoin Ryan. Simonstown were the team to open the sharpest and scored 2 points, one from play and one from a free within the first 5 minutes. Eoin Ryan made a great save after 4 minutes when stopping a certain goal but instead got it out to safety and down the field but unfortunately the ball was again turned over while Don/Ash were pressing. Leo Reilly was first to score and made sure by fisting over for a point on 11 minutes. Simonstown attacked time and time again but good work from our backline, James Redmond, Sean Curran and Oisín Daly kept them from converting their chances. With 15 minutes gone it was 0-3 to 0-1 to the homeside. While Donaghmore/Ashbourne had plenty of ball they just couldn’t convert and James Crumlish was denied a goal chance on 16 minutes, but that all changed when quick ball in from midfield saw Josh Lancaster take a shot at goal but unfortunately hit the cross bar and quickest to react to the rebound was James Crumlish who finished to the back of the net. Both sides were guilty of wayward shots before Simonstown got a free which was converted and the score was 0-4 to 1-1 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. While it wasn’t been played at championship pace it was a very competitive game and Donaghmore/Ashbourne finished the half in front with point from Leo Reilly from play and 2 points from Dylan Brady one from a free and a fine point from play just before the whistle was blown for half time. Evan Quinn worked tirelessly with Bryan Menton playing at centre back along side Thomas McGovern. The visitors went into the break the happiest and had threatened several times in the last few minutes of the first half.
Michael O’Sullivan was introduced for Josh Lancaster at half time after Josh had received a knock in the first half. While Donaghmore/Ashbourne finished the first half with momentum it was the homeside who made all the good moves in the first 10 minutes and ran at Donaghmore/Ashbourne. They drew level after 4 minutes with a point from play and a point from a free. Simonstown went ahead less than 30 seconds later despite good work from Sean Curran and converted another free from the boot of Podge McKeever to put 2 between the teams. James Redmond made some good runs from corner back and pass to Dylan Brady who pointed for his 3rd on the night on 39 minutes on the clock. Dylan levelled the match a minute later. Michael Deegan followed with a good point from play to go 1 up. Good work from our midfield duo of Kevin Cully and Shane Melia kept us pushing up. Simonstown didn’t want to loose on home soil and kept pressing, 2 converted frees from Podge McKeever put them back in the driving seat with 10 minutes remaining. Donaghmore/Ashbourne rang the changes with substitutes Shaun Byrne, Evan O’Kane and Andrew Tormey introduced for Leo Reilly, Michael Deegan and Darragh McGovern. Bryan Menton having caught a fine ball came down on his ankle and went off injured, he was replaced by Darragh O’Sullivan. Andrew Tormey converted a free-kick with 2 minutes left in real time and the sides were level again. What we were hoping was the winning point taken by Michael O’Sullivan 4 minutes into injury time was not to be on the night. Silly turnovers in the dying minute allowed Simonstown to attack on 2 occasions with a wide and then as the whistle was about to be blown over goes the levelling point to end with both teams sharing the spoils. For Donaghmore/Ashbourne it was good night to have the opportunity to introduce a number of our younger players to Senior Football and won’t have done them any harm to get a taste of coming up against some of the best teams in the county. Eoin Ryan didn’t put a foot wrong in goals and caught some great ball off the line.
Don/Ash: Eoin Ryan; James Redmond, Sean Curran, Oisín Daly; Thomas McGovern, Bryan Menton, Evan Quinn; Kevin Cully, Shane Melia; James Crumlish (1-0), Darragh McGovern, Leo Reilly (0-1); Josh Lancaster, Dylan Brady (0-4), Michael Deegan (0-1); Subs; Michael O’Sullivan (0-1) for J Lancaster, Shaun Byrne for L Reilly, Andrew Tormey (0-1) for D McGovern, Evan O’Kane for M Deegan and Darragh O’Sullivan for B Menton.
Next up Ratoath at home Friday 12th at 8pm
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