A League Division 1A Round 9

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Simonstown at 8pm Tuesday 23rd May at 8pm.

Referee Andrew Smith

H/T Don/Ash 0-5 Simonstown 0-8

F/T Don/Ash 0-9 Simonstown 1-13

In perfect conditions for a football match in Ashbourne last night it wasn’t a perfect night for the home side who were comprehensively beaten by Simonstown who were deserved winners of this clash in Round 9 of the A Leagues to quell any hope of getting to a League final for Donaghmore/Ashbourne. Simonstown opened the scoring with a point from play for Aaron Farrelly who went on to score 5 points on the night. Donaghmore/Ashbourne did get on the score board with a point from Shaun Byrne from play after a patient build up on 4 minutes. Leo Reilly pointed from play a couple of minutes later after receiving a pass from Andrew Tormey to make it 2pts to 1pt and this was the last time the homeside would be in front. Simonstown played all the football for the next 20 minutes and while they did have some wayward shots they also put over another 4 points from play with Eoghan Gough and Brian McGrath getting on the scoreboard. Donaghmore/Ashbourne did have their fair share of ball and were winning from the kickouts but with Simonstown playing a very defensive game they could not breakdown the defence and on several occasions were turned over in scoring positions. Bryan Menton had to be substituted on 15 minutes with a neck injury which we hope is something which won’t keep him out for too long. Evan O’Kane was brought on in his place and assumed the midfield position. With Sean Curran also missing from the backs, the spine of the team was impacted but Sean is away at the moment and will return as a married man, we wish him and Shona all the very best in their future lives together. Kevin Fenton reduced the deficit on 23 minutes to make it 5pts to 3pts. Simonstown resumed and scored the next 3 points from play with Podge Mckeever, David McKeever and Aaron Farrelly all pointing from play to leave it 8pts to 3 pts with 30 minutes on the clock. Don/Ash in fairness to them never gave up and were going for it with Dylan Brady pointing in injury time which was won with a catch from the kickout from Andy Colgan and 2 kicks of the ball later Brady put over. James Crumlish was next up after receiving a great pass and ran at the goals and this brought off a great save from Burlingham to put over the bar. It finished with the visitors up by 3 points at the break.

Simonstown continued to dominate and within 5 minutes of the 2nd half were 1-9 to 5pts ahead with Shane McEnery (1pt) and Podge McKeever a goal which was fired home from close range and never gave Andy Colgan a chance to save. It took Don/Ash 24 minutes to score in the second half and eventually Jamie Browne who was dragged to the ground when heading for goals and put over the resulting free kick. Kevin Cully was winning some good ball in midfield but we just didn’t have the finishing power to make it count. Meanwhile Simonstown had increased their lead to 1-12 prior to Browne scoring. Farrelly got the final point for Simonstown on 56 minutes and while Don/Ash did pile on the pressure in the last 5 minutes it just wasn’t going to be enough. While our young full back line of Evan Quinn, Aaron McLoughlin and Luke Barrett did well they were under pressure with Simonstown dominating for most of the game. Ethan Tormey was brought on for Matt Crumlish , Chris Twomey for Luke Barrett, Michael of Sullivan for Kevin Fenton midway through the half. Shaun Byrne, Andrew Tormey and Evan O’Kane did improve the scoreline to make it 1-13 to 9pts the final score. Next up will be Na Fianna in 2 weeks and things will have to improve if we are to get a couple more points on the league table.

Don/Ash:- Andy Colgan, Aaron McLoughlin, Evan Quinn, Luke Barrett, Matt Crumlish, Shaun Byrne (0-2), Aidan Mackey, Kevin Cully, Bryan Menton, Leo Reilly (0-1), Dylan Brady (0-1), James Crumlish (0-1), Kevin Fenton (0-1), Andrew Tormey (0-1), Jamie Browne (0-1 1f).

Subs: Evan O’Kane (0-1) (15m) for Menton, Ethan Tormey (42m)for M. Crumlish, Chris Twomey (42m) for Barrett, Michael O’Sullivan (50m) for Fenton, Sean Tyrell (55m)for Brady.

Best of luck to Sean & Shona who will get married this Friday, may you have many years of happiness from all in Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club.

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