Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-16
Dunshaughlin 0-08

Despite missing a number of key players Donaghmore Ashbourne's first team recorded a comprehensive league win over Dunshaughlin to move to the top of the Division 1A League table on score difference on Saturday night.

It was the visitors who started the brightest and took an early lead but once the home side settled they ran out comfortable winners.

Dunshaughlin started the brightest and won a free on 20 meters which was converted in the first minute by Trevor Dowd. The visitors extended their lead with a point from play on 2 minutes by Cathal O'Dwyer. Donaghmore couldn't get their hands on the ball and when Mark Devanney took a great point from play in the third minute it looked as if the home side could be in trouble. As it turned out this score was the last Dunshaughlin would register in the first half. Tony Morgan started to win some ball in around the box and eventually he scored Donaghmore Ashbourne's opening score on 5 minutes. Mattie Devine kicked a point from a free on 9 minutes when Ciaran Ellis was taken down. Iarlaith O'Donnell who looked comfortable at centre half forward scored a point on 9 minutes to bring the sides level. Donaghmore Ashbourne gained confidence as the game progressed and some great defensive work by Eoighan Riordan who passed to David Morgan and onto Mattie Devine who took his point well on 15 minutes to give home side the lead for the first time in the game. Tony Morgan converted on 16 minutes to extend the lead to 0-05 to 0-03. Donaghmore Ashbourne had an opportunity to extend the lead on 17 minutes when Cathal Field who was getting a lot of breaking ball around the middle passed to John Broderick and he was taken but Mattie Devine failed to take advantage from a placed ball. J. P. Casserly cleared the ball well and passed to Ellis who ran the length of the field and scored another point on 18 minutes. Cormac McGill clearing his lines at full back to Rory O'Connor to Tony Morgan and a great pass to Iarlaith O'Donnell who finished with the 8th point on 20 minutes. Dunshaughlin did have a number of opportunities to reduce the deficit but failed to convert with missed frees on 21 and 22 minutes. Donaghmore Ashbourne's final score of the half came on 23 minutes and was a great team score that ended the game as a contest. The move was started by Cormac McGill and involved J.P. Casserly and Cathal Field with the final pass finding Mattie Devine who fired to the back of the Dunshaughlin net.

Dunshughlin's Trevor Dowd got the first score in the 2nd half from a converted free in the first minute while John Broderick narrowly kicked wide seconds later. Ciaran Ellis got his 2nd point from play on 33minutes. Dunshaughlin's Dowd scored again from play on 35 minutes before Kevin Lanigan got on the score board on 36 minutes.

Dunshaughlin converted another free on 38 minutes before Mattie Devine kicked a great point from a free on 39 minutes. With very good defending by Shane Melia, Martin Lynch and Eoighan Riordan Dunshaughlin never really threatened and the home side looked comfortable. Donaghmore continued to play some great football with points coming from Ciaran Ellis, John Broderick and Cathal Field on 42, 44 and 45 minutes. Dunshaughlin did put another 2 points on the board with Trevor Dowd converting from a free and his 6th point of the game this one from play on the 46th minute. Eoighan Riordan picked up the ball deep in the defence and travelled the length of the field to score a fine point in the 59th minute. The final point of the game was well taken by substitute Keith Scally in the 60th minute. Overall it was a great team performance and a well-deserved victory which puts us on top of the Division 1 League table on score difference.

Donaghmore Ashbourne:- A. Colgan; J.P. Casserly, C. McGill, E. Riordan (0-1); C. Ellis (0-3), M. Lynch, S. Melia; R. O'Connor, D. Morgan; C. Field (0-1), I. O'Donnell (0-2), K. Lanigan (0-1); J. Broderick (0-2), T. Morgan (0-2), M. Devine (1-3 2f). Subs:- E. Callaghan for Ellis (55), K. Scally (0-1)for Broderick (57), D. Lawlor for Riordan (59). Tweet

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