SFC: Donaghmore-Ashbourne advance to last four
September 30, 2012
Dunboyne's Colin Clarke gains possession ahead of Donaghmore Ashbourne's Colm O'Mealoid during the Meath SFC quarter final at Pairc Tailteann
Donaghmore-Ashbourne ......... 0-17
Dunboyne ..................... 0-8
Sean Kelly's charges comfortably secured to a semi-final meeting with Navan O'Mahonys, the side he helped - along with Sean Barry - win the Keegan Cup in 2008.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne led for most of the way en route to securing a 'semi' spot for the second year running.
It will matter little for now that this was a poor match with most of Donaghmore-Ashbourne's scores from play coming in the latter stages as they eased clear of Dunboyne.
Andrew Tormey almost equalled Dunboyne's tally on his own, seven points (six frees) while midfield Craig Berrigan managed his side's sole score from play.
Eight different Donaghmore-Ashbourne players scored from play while the defence gave the Dunboyne attack little leeway.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne outscored Dunboyne by 0-10 to 0-5 in the second-half and registered six of the last seven scores.
From an early stage Donaghmore-Ashbourne looked the more likely winners while no Dunboyne starting forward got off the mark from open play.
Stephen Moran gave Dunboyne an early lead but Donaghmore-Ashbourne countered with three Tormey frees and an Eoin Reilly 45.
The latter score came after Dunboyne's Johnny O'Connor saved Eric Callaghan's goal attempt.
The first score from play arrived in the 29th minute when Tormey fisted over and by half-time Donaghmore-Ashbourne led by 0-7 to 0-3.
The first kicked score from play arrived three minutes after the resumption with Berrigan's excellent effort into the town goal.
The second-half was better than the opening 30 minutes as the gap widened between the sides.
A Donal Lenihan free for Dunboyne left just four points, 0-7 to 0-11, between the sides after 49 minutes.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne closed in on a semi-final spot by outscoring Dunboyne by 0-6 to 0-1 in the latter stages.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne - A. Colgan; E. Riordan, C. McGill, S. Curran; C. Ellis, B. Menton (0-1), P. Gilligan (0-2, 1f); D. Morgan (0-1), C. O Mealoid (0-1); E. Reilly (0-3, 1 f, 1 45), E. Callaghan, C. Field; C. Beirne (0-1), J. Broderick (0-1), A. Tormey (0-7, 6fs). Subs - R. O'Connor for O Mealoid (55), I. O'Donnell (57), K. Lanigan for Broderick (58), J. P. Casserly for Gilligan (60).
Dunboyne - J. O'Connor; C. Finn, D. Sweeney, J. Meehan; C. Clarke, T. O'Connor, G. Timoney; G. Gallagher, C. Berrigan (0-1); B. Comer, G. Robinson (0-3 fs), S. Moran (0-3 fs); D. Lenihan (0-1 f), G. Watters, S. McGarrell. Subs - S. McEntee for McGarrell (ht), M. Confey for Comer, J. Daly for Watters (both 34), D. Clarke for Moran (43), A. O'Connor for Gallagher.
Referee - B. Darby (Ballinabrackey). Tweet
