Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-16 St. Patrick's 3-04

 

Donaghmore Ashbourne produced a fine team performance to see off a St. Patrick's challenge to top the Group C table and book a place in the quarter finals of the Meath Senior Championship. The result also puts the Stamullen men into a relegation battle as they struggled in many areas of the field on a wet afternoon for summer football.

Shaun Byrne opened the scoring for Paul Clarke's men within a minute of the throw in with Paul Gilligan adding a second on 3 minutes. Two further points within the 4th minute (the first from Byrne and Ciaran Beirne from the resulting kick out) set the tone of the afternoon as Donaghmore Ashbourne moved to a 4 point lead.

Donaghmore Ashbourne continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with a points from Aidan Hughes on 6 minutes and Ciaran Ellis on 7 minutes before St. Patrick's opened their account with a point from a free on 13 minutes.

Donaghmore Ashbourne continued to dominate the second quarter with their defence not in any generous mood while up front the forwards and midfield were working well as a unit. During this period they extended their lead with points from Paul Gilligan, Michael Deegan on 17 and 22 minutes from play, a Deegan point from a free on 25 minutes and a Ciaran Beirne point on the half hour.  They could have been further ahead but registered a number of wides in this period as well.

Two quick scores after the interval from Bryan Menton, a point within a minute of the throw in and a goal on 31 minutes ended the game as a contest. Donaghmore Ashbourne added to St. Patrick's woes with a converted free from Paul Gilligan on 39 minutes and Deegan fired to the net from close range on 41 minutes.  Menton also pointed from on 43 minutes.

The final quarter saw Donaghmore Ashbourne make a number of changes in personnel and although the result was never in doubt the Stamullen men did manage to outscore Donaghmore Ashbourne by 3-03 to 0-03 in this period. The Donaghmore Ashbourne points came from Aidan Hughes on 48 minutes, Morgan on 54 minutes and Ellis on 56 minutes.

Overall Donaghmore Ashbourne were worthy winners and can enter their quarter final game with Na Fianna full of confidence. St. Patrick's will need to improve if they are to retain their senior status for next year. Finally on a side note compliments to the Duleek/Bellewstown club for the condition of the pitch and their stewarding of the game.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: J. Hannigan, J. Boland, C. Mc Gill, C. Carton; C. Ellis (0-2), S. Melia, P. Gilligan (0-3) (1f); C. Carey, B. Menton (1-2); A. Hughes (0-2), D. Morgan(0-1), C. Beirne (0-2); D. Mc Govern  M. Deegan (1-3), S. Byrne (0-1)

Subs: S. Curran for Beirne, R. O'Connor for Carey, E. Callaghan for Byrne, J Mc Carney for Mc Gill, JP Casserly for Carton. A. Tormey for Deegan

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