Feis Cup Group B

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Ratoath in Ashbourne at 8pm

H/T Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-8 Ratoath 1-2

F/T Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2-13 Ratoath 1-6

There is nothing like a local derby on a Friday night in early February to whet the appetite of any GAA supporter. Ratoath were first to open the scoring with a point from play after just 50 seconds but that was their last for another 15 minutes. Some really good work in defence held out any threat from the reigning Senior Champions. Don/Ash were playing well, with 2 points from Leo Reilly, 1 from James Crumlish and Darragh McGovern got in on the act with a point from play and a great point from a 45 which came from a block on a shot from Kevin Cully to put the home side 0-5 to 1pt ahead with 10 minutes gone. It was a cagey next five minutes where both sides had their chances but the homeside were guilty of a couple of wayward shots, Ratoath got their 2nd point from play on 15 minutes. Evan Quinn received a black card from referee Keith Sheeran for a tackle on the 40 meter line 18 minutes into the first half. Evan had been having a fine game. Jamie Browne converted a free when Kevin Cully was taken down when goalward bound with 7 minutes left until the break. Donaghmore Ashbourne seemed to hold off any attack and pushed Ratoath back on each occasion they drove forward but eventually the line was broken and their nippy No 13 got in for a goal on 25 minutes. Jamie Browne replied with a fine point from play and Thomas McGovern finished the half with another point from play. Shaun Byrne was playing very well at centre back and good work from Sean Curran, Oisin Daly, James Redmond and our ever reliable wing back Thomas McGovern kept Ratoath to the minimum. Our centre field pairing of Kevin Cully and Shane Melia were working hard and the home side were happy to be ahead at half time.

Don/Ash were out of the traps the quickest with a catch from Kevin Cully who passed to Jamie Browne and finished over the bar by young Josh Lancaster. Leo Reilly pointed his third on 35 minutes to go double scores up 0-10 to 1-2. Ratoath put over a point from a free. Jamie Browne made no mistake and finished to the back of the net 1-10 to 1-3. Ratoath put over another point from a free. Darragh McGovern was on target again on 42 minutes. Bryan Menton was introduced for Shane Melia and Andrew Tormey for Evan Quinn. Ratoath pointed from play to leave it 1-11 to 1-5. The veteran trio (a comment from a supporter) of Andrew Tormey, Sean Curran and Bryan Menton who have played together since acorns (27 years) combined with some fantastic passes with the final touch going to Darragh McGovern to finish this game as a contest when hitting the back of the Ratoath net with 4 minutes left in normal time. Ratoath finished their scoring with a point from play 2-11 to 1-6. Aaron McLoughlin was brought on for the hard working James Redmond, Michael O’Sullivan for Josh Lancaster. Jamie Browne scored another point from play to leave his tally 1-3 for the night. Evan O’Kane and Darragh O’Sullivan came on with minutes left on the clock and also Aidan Mackey made his first run with the Senior team. Michael O’Sullivan got a final point after a good run and pass from Andrew Tormey. Overall this was a good performance for this time of the year but there will be tougher games ahead when we meet Ratoath later in the year.

Don/Ash: Eoin Ryan; James Redmond, Sean Curran, Oisin Daly; Thomas McGovern (0-1), Shaun Byrne, Evan Quinn; Shane Melia, Kevin Cully; James Crumlish (0-1), Darragh McGovern (1-3 1 45), Leo Reilly (0-3); Josh Lancaster (0-1), Dylan Brady, Jamie Browne (1-3 2f).

Subs: Bryan Menton for Melia, Andrew Tormey for Quinn, Aaron McLoughlin for Redmond, Michael O’Sullivan (0-1) for Lancaster, Evan O’Kane for D McGovern, Darragh O’Sullivan for Brady and Aidan Mackey came on with a minute to go.

I want to wish Thomas and Darragh McGovern the very best of luck on their travels to South America, enjoy it lads and come back to us safe and sound. We will miss you but hope that you have an amazing time. Stay fit, we will need you for Championship.

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