Report from Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Gaeil Colmcille. Venue Ashbourne 8pm Wednesday 12th April, 2023.

Half Time Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-7 (10) Gaeil Colmcille 2-3 (9)

Full Time Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3-7 (16)  Gaeil Colmcille 3-11 (20)

In a week where a lot of matches had been called off due to inclement weather, this match may also have been in trouble but after inspection of pitch at 5pm it was deemed to be playable which is down to the good work from our grounds people.  It was also the venue for Meath v Westmeath last night so thanks to everyone who does great work to keep our facility in good order.  

It was Gaeil Colmcille who opened the scoring with a free kick been taken by goalkeeper Barry Farrelly followed by a goal a minute later when it seemed that Fionn Reilly ran through without a finger been laid on him and put Gaeil Colmcille in the driving seat with only minutes on the clock and playing against the wind.  In fairness Donaghmore/Ashbourne seemed to come alive after the shock of such a quick start from the visitors and while pressing forward, Darragh O'Sullivan was fouled and Jamie Browne  pointed from the resulting free kick.  Darragh O'Sullivan claimed a mark after a fine catch and pointed off his trusty left foot with 8 minutes gone. Aaron McLoughlin at corner back intercepted on several occasions to stop Gaeil Colmcille going further ahead. Evan Quinn and Oisin Daly settled and got to grips with the danger of fast running forward play from the visitors. Down the other end we were guilty of  a couple of wides and needed to get some scores on the board playing with the wind.  James Crumlish finished over the bar after some good passing right down through the field. Kells put another over the bar which made it 1-2 to 3pts with 12 minutes gone. Bryan Menton won the ball out the field which ended up with Andrew Tormey who quickly gave  to Zach Thorton who may have been able to take a goal himself but passed to Jamie Browne who made no mistake when firing to the back of the net. It was 1-4 to 1-2 with Donaghmore/Ashbourne in front but Gaeil Colmcille got their 2nd goal a minute later from the boot of Fionn Reilly again to go 1 pt up.  Don/Ash replied with a point from Zach Thornton playing at centre forward. Kevin Fenton was introduced for Leo Reilly on 23 minutes. Andrew Tormey jumped high to claim a mark and converted to level the match. Kells went ahead again with a point from a free when Eoin Ryan having made a great catch off the line was bringing the ball out but collided with a player and a free was awarded.  Tormey put another point over in injury time 1-7 to 2-3.  It was a 1 point lead for the home side but would it be enough when playing with the wind which was gathering momentum and would be a huge advantage to Gaeil Colmcille in the 2nd half.  

David Carr was on for Zach Thornton for the start of the 2nd half. Fionn Ferguson opened the scoring for Kells in the 2nd half bringing his tally to 2points. James Redmond got the last touch after some great play from Don/Ash which came from a ball won by Kevin Cully out the field which was moved quickly inside to Jamie Browne who passed across the goal when Redmond got a boot and finished to the net.  The homeside were 3 up and playing well.  Gaeil Colmcille are a team that never give up and having put a couple astray they closed the gap to 2 with a point from Seamus Mattimoe. Against the run of play when Don/Ash thought they should have got a free out for a Kells man touching the ball on the ground and took their eye off the ball for a second while it was moved very quickly across to a dangerous position and the player running in was taken down which resulted in a penalty been given.  Beano converted and it was now 3-6 to 2-7 with 18 minutes gone in the 2nd half. Gaeil Colmcille scored another 5 points without reply.  Michael O'Sullivan was brought on for the hard working James Crumlish, Josh Lancaster for Kevin Fenton who has just returned from injury.  Don/Ash tried all they could to get the goal that was required to bring them back into the game but Kells defended vigorously until Andrew Tormey finally got at the end of a ball which was kicked in high and he finished to the net but unfortunately it was all too late.  On a positive note it was great to see Cillian Hegarty back on the field of play after being out with a long term injury.  

Don/Ash:- Eoin Ryan, Aaron McLoughlin, Evan Quinn, Oisin Daly, Sean Curran, Shaun Byrne, Bryan Menton, Kevin Cully, James Redmond (1-0), James Crumlish (0-1), Zach Thornton (0-1), Leo Reilly, Darragh O'Sullivan (0-1), Andrew Tormey (1-2), Jamie Browne (1-2 2f).

Subs:- Kevin Fenton for Reilly (23), David Carr for Thornton (H/T), Michael O'Sullivan for Crumlish (51), Josh Lancaster for Fenton (55), Cillian Hegarty for McLoughlin (56). 

Please support our main club sponsor McCarney Financial Services Ltd.