Donaghmore Ashbourne 5-18 Curraha 1-6

Donaghmore Ashbourne's third team took on neighbours Curragha on Monday 20th May in the club in this Division 3 B League match. Curraha went into the game top of the table, unbeaten and favourites but in a fast flowing open game of football the home sides pace, fitness and discipline won out.

Curraha started well registering point from a free after 3 minutes before Chris Brady responded with a fine point a minute later. Cian Field quickly scored a brace from play before Curraha replied with a point on 12 minutes. The game flowed well with some fine score taking and as the first half entered the midpoint Donaghmore Ashbourne started to play excellent attacking football. Kevin McInerney pointed on 13 minutes and Faolan Smith made no mistake with a free on the 20 metre line on 14 minutes. Patrick Murtagh continued the scoring on 16 minutes and Faolan Smith followed up with a point from play with 20 minutes gone. Every attack by the home side seemed to expose the Curraha defence but some wayward shooting yielded several wides. Cian Field was denied by the post from close range but in a rapid counter attack Curraha scored their goal on 27 minutes and followed up with a point. Faolan Smith, Patrick Murtagh and Cian Field all pointed from play in the closing minutes to leave the half time score at 0.10 to 1.03 for the hosts.

The second half gave no respite to the Curraha team as despite playing up the 'hill' and against the slight breeze and into the sun, Donaghmore Ashbourne played some excellent football and it started to return dividends. Faolan Smith scored a brace of points within 3 minutes of the restart and Danny Deery fired home a goal on 36 minutes. Luke Barrett scored an excellent point from a narrow angle on 38 minutes before Curraha managed to work the ball out of their defence and score a point on 39 minutes. Another attack from Curraha resulted in a marvellous save by Matt Davis. Anthony McAlearney got the first of his two goals on 42 minutes and Curragha responded well scoring 2 points in consecutive minutes before Anthony McAlearney got his second goal of the match on 47 minutes. Donaghmore Ashbourne never let up from this point, and another attack from Curraha was thwarted by the resolute defence where the ball was turned over and Cian Field finished the move to the net. Faolan Smith scored another brace of points from play and two frees in the last 10 minutes and a second goal by Danny Deery and a Cian Field point closed out the scoring on 58 minutes before Barry Campbell blew the final whistle.

Overall an excellent game of entertaining football, particularly the attacking style and the smart defending from the Donaghmore Ashbourne back six which resulted in multiple turnovers and interceptions. The smart forward movement and score taking was a joy to watch and in truth Donaghmore Ashbourne outworked and outplayed Curraha in every part of the field on the night.

Final Score:  Donaghmore Ashbourne 5.18 Curraha 1.06

Donaghmore Ashbourne: Matt Davis, Chris Twomey, Josh Watters, Oisin Mulhall, Anthony Lynn, Niall Kavanagh, Luke Barrett (0-1), James Flavin, Chris Brady (0-1), Kevin McInerney (0-1), Faolan Smith (0-9, 3f), Patrick Murtagh (0-2), Danny Deery (2-0), Anthony McAlearney (2-0), Cian Field (1-4).

Subs: Danny Clarke for McInerney (HT), Michael McCabe for Watters (45), Matt Crumlish for Flavin (51), James Brady for McAlearney (52)

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