Donaghmore-Ashbourne posted their second win in the SFC campaign with eight points to spare over Seneschalstown at Skryne on Friday evening.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne ........... 2-13
Seneschalstown ..................... 1-8
The outcome leaves Mick Deegan's men in pole position in the group and well-placed to advance to the knockout stage.
An exciting second quarter was the highlight of a fractious encounter in which three players were sent off and one blackcarded.
All three goals arrived in the run-in to the interval which eventually called after nearly 10 minutes of added time, which seemed excessive.
Nearly 15 minutes of added time were played in a disjointed second-half when just five scores were recorded.
Apart from some fine saves, Donaghmore-Ashbourne 'keeper Andy Colgan was the standout player. In addition to excelling at his regular netminding duties he pointed four placed balls with his trusty left foot.
He was joint top-scorer for his side, along with goalscorers Thomas McGovern and Andrew Tormey.
Playing into the sun, Donaghmore-Ashbourne opened with three points inside five minutes from as many different players..
Seneschalstown levelled matters on two occasions, but Thomas McGovern's 30th minute goal regained the lead for Donaghmore-Ashbourne which they took to the finish.
Moments earlier Bryan Clarke capitalised on a mix-up in the Donaghmore-Ashbourne defence to slot to the net and leave the scores tied for the second and final time, 1-4 to 0-7 with 24 minutes gone.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne responded positively with two goals before the break with Thomas McGovern getting the first, in the 30th minute.
In the fifth minute of added time, Andrew Tormey finished a fine move to the net to move his side six points clear. Fine scores were posted by both sides in this phase of the game with points by Bryan Clarke and Cathal Finnegan standout scores for Seneschalstown.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne led by 2-9 to 1-7 at half-time. The first 25 minutes of the second-half saw just two scores, both Colgan frees. It wasnt until the 14th minutes of additional second-half time that Bryan Clarke (free) posted Seneschalstown's sole second-half score, the final flag of the fixture.
There was still time for third Donaghmore-Ashbourne goal, but Jamie Browne (who netted the decisive score in his team's opening round win over O'Mahonys) was wide from distance after Davy Lyons had left his post.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne lost Michael Deegan to a black card for 10 minutes either side of half-time. Seneschalstown were unable to capitalise on the temporary numerical advantage.
Seneschalstown lost Colm Carr and Cathal Finnegan to second yellow cards late on. Around this time Donaghmore-Ashbourne's Sean Curran was shown a straight red card which is set to rule him out of his side's round three meeting with Na Fianna.
Next Up: Seneschalstown v O'Mahonys, Dunshaughlin, Sat, Aug 29, 6.0
Donaghmore-Ashbourne v Na Fianna, Trim, Sat. Aug 29 6.0.
Scorers: Donaghmore-Ashbouirne: Andy Colgan 0-4 (3fs, 1 45); Thomas McGovern, Andrew Tormey 1-1 each; Michael Deegan 0-2 (1f); Sean Curran,.Bryan Menton; Darragh McGovern; Jamie Browne (forward-mark), Faolan Smith 0-1.each.
Seneschalstown -Bryan Clarke 1-3 (0-2 fs); Cathal Finnegan 0-2 (1f); Brian Sheridan (f), Cathal Hickey, Joseph Moore 0-1 each.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andy Colgan; Conor Carton, Jason Boland, James Redmond; Sean Curran, Jack McCarney, Thomas McGovern; Bryan Menton, Conor Carey; Darragh McGovern, Dylan Brady, Leo Reilly; Jamie Browne, Andrew Tormey, Michael Deegan. Subs - James Crumlish for Reilly (43), Stephen Carton for Brady (57), Faolan Smith for Deegan (60), Deegan for T McGovern (69).
Seneschalstown - David Lyons' Woodley Nicholson, John Smith, Niall Hickey; Adam Carey, Colm Carr, Ronan Conneely; Brian Sheridan, Cathal Hickey, Alan Mulvaney, Joseph Mooe, Dylan Keating, Cathal Finnegan, Bryan Clarke, Padraig Finnegan. Subs - Joe Sheridan for Mulvaney (30 + 2), David Gordon for P Finnegan (ht), Brian Maguire for Smith (34), Stephen Finnegan for B Sheridan (41), Simon Rooney for A Carey (51), .
Referee - Joseph Curran (St Michael's)