IFC: Win for Donaghmore Ashbourne
August 21, 2013
Donaghmore Ashbourne's Iarlaith O'Donnell gains possession ahead of Longwood's Karl Ennis during the Meath IFC game at Lomans Park Trim
Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-7
Longwood 1-8
Donaghmore Ashbourne held a one point lead at the break playing with the aid of a strong breeze. Half back Gareth Deery got the opening score of the game but Longwood hit back with points from Rory Maguire and Eoin Lynch. Between the 10th and 20th minute Donaghmore hit 1-2 without reply. Points from Darragh McGovern and Daithi Murtagh along with a fine goal from Sam Benville had them 1-3 to 0-2 up. Longwood hit back with a Sean Sheridan point a Rory Maguire goal before Banville got the last score of there half to leave it Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-4 Longwood 1-3.
Longwood controlled the opening 15 minutes of the second half . Playing with the elements the scores followed. Three Rory Maguire points and one from Anthony Healy pushed them three ahead before Ashbourne got the first of the half from Martin Lynch. This inspired a youthful Donaghmore side . Thomas McGovern got in for a goal and Banville sent over two frees to swing the game in their favour. Aaron Ennis closed out the scoring for Longwood but it was the boys in Green who go into the last round with it all to play for.
Donaghmore Ashbourne scorers: Sam Benville 1-4, Darragh McGovern 1-0, Martin Lynch, Thomas McGovern Daithi Murtagh 0-1 each.
Longwood scorers: Rory Maguire 1-4, Aaron Ennis, Anthony Healy, Eoin Lynch and Sean Sheridan 0-1 each
*****
Donaghmore/Ashbourne report:
Donaghmore Ashbourne victory sets up mouthwatering final round clash
Date: 17th August 2013
Venue: Trim
Referee: Seamus O'Connor
Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-07
Longwood 1-08
Donaghmore Ashbourne's second team produced a great second half performance to see off a strong Longwood challenge to record a second win of the campaign and set up a mouthwatering final round tie with Gael Colmcille.
Playing the strong wind in the opening half Gareth Deery opened the scoring within a minute of the start. Longwood did draw the sides level on 3 minutes and took the lead on 4minutes before David Murtagh drew the sides level on 8 minutes.
Donaghmore Ashbourne extended the lead on 9 minutes when Sam Benville collected a high ball that looked to be heading wide and from a very acute angle he fired low to the back of the net. Minor footballer Darragh Mc Govern finished off a good team move with a point on 11 minutes.
Longwood did bring the sides level again with a point on 17 minutes and a well taken Rory Maguire goal on 28 minutes but a long range Sam Benville point in injury time gave Donaghmore Ashbourne a narrow 1-04 to 1-03 lead at the interval.
Having only a one point lead and playing against a strong wind it looked as if it was damaged limitations for Donaghmore Ashbourne as they should have made better use of the first half wind advantage.
Longwood did add to the Moors supporter's fears by drawing the sides level within a minute of the restart. Three further unanswered points on 34, 35 and 37 had given the Longwood side a three point lead by the end of the third quarter and they looked like to have put them in a position to close out the game.
However the Donaghmore Ashbourne players had different ideas and gave an excellent final quarter performance. Sam Benville showed some great skill to shake off a couple of challenges to release Martin Lynch who pointed on 46 minutes.
The turning point in the game came on 49 minutes when a high ball into the Longwood square was volleyed home by Thomas Mc Govern from close range to give Donaghmore Ashbourne a single point lead. Sam Benville converted frees on 50 and 55 minutes to extend Donaghmore Ashbourne's lead to three points. Although Longwood tried hard for a equalizing goal the Donaghmore Ashbourne defence held strong and only yield an injury time point.
Overall it was a great all round team performance by Donaghmore Ashbourne and the result sets up a winner takes all final round game with Gael Colmcille in coming weeks.
Donaghmore Ashbourne: P. Durkan; R. O'Connor, P. Finn D. Lawlor; G. Deery (0-1), M. Lynch (0-1), T.Mc Govern(1-0); T. Kelly, C. Brady; S. Byrne, I. O'Donnell, D. Mc Govern (0-1); D. Mulvey, D. Murtagh (0-1), S. Benville (0-3)
Subs: K. Fenton for Mulvey (HT) Tweet
