On the many occasions that Derry, Tyrone, Armagh, Louth and Donegal supporters passed through the village of Ashbourne, some would have wondered if there was a football team in the area. They would never have seen Ashbourne in the results section of the Monday newspapers ... they would never have seen it on the Aertel results service and they would never have seen it under a players name on the Meath team in a match programme. As far as these 'outsiders' were concerned, Ashbourne did not exist in a GAA terms. Its only claim to fame in relation to football was its popularity as a stopping off venue for Meath supporters on their way home from Croke Park. But there's more, much more to Ashbourne than thronged pubs on big match evenings and celebrations dominated by the Green and Gold. The Donaghmore club is one of Meath's oldest and although success has been hard to come by in recent years, the 'Moores' had their day or more accurately, their days. There were Senior Championship successes in 1927 and 1928 and again in 1942. And there were three Intermediate victories, 1938,1950 and 1959. Add two Junior Championship successes, 1924 and 1971 and you can see that there is a proud football tradition in the area. The 1942 Senior Championship-winning team included some of the 'greats' of Meath football ... household names such as Jackie Maye, Peter McDermott, Tony Donnelly and Joey Loughran. Tradition is all very fine but it is becoming less and less relevant to the current generation. The Donaghmore club has endured some lean times particularly over the last two decades and they have now taken steps to build a new tradition. The name of the club was changed from Donaghmore to Donaghmore/Ashbourne in a commendable move to link its identity with the village. Many years previously a fine clubhouse was built at the Wotton and most importantly, links with the local schools were strengthened. But it takes some time for acorns to develop into sturdy oak trees. Acorns they may be, but this year's batch of under-14 footballers provided genuine grounds for optimism when they made history by bringing the title to the club for the first time ever. The 'Moores' signalled their intentions with a whopping quarter-final win over St Martins, 3-16 to 0-4. Ciaran Ellis scored two goals and Faolan Smith scored six points as the Dunshaughlin/Drumree combination were overwhelmed. "The lads had been playing really well all year and we knew we were in with a chance of winning the championship," admits team mentor Eithne Tormey. "Last year, at the under-13 grade, we expected to go well in Division Two, but we lost to Drumconrath/Meath Hill and it was very disappointing. We expected more of them really. "However, they showed great desire and went on to win the Division Two league quite comfortably this year. It got the confidence up and then we started out well in the championship. "However, the first really tough game we played was against Simonstown in the semi-final. We were leading at half-time but they fought back early in the second-half. "Thankfully our lads responded and we got a few vital goals that killed off Simonstown. The final scoreline certainly wasn't a true reflection on the game as a whole though, because it was extremely close early in the second-half." The game was played at Gibbstown and Cian McGuire scored two early goals to put the boys from the Dublin border firmly in the driving seat. Donaghmore/Ashbourne led by 3-5 to 1-7 at half time, but Simonstown staged a gallant comeback to leave a single score between the sides. Donaghmore/Ashbourne lifted their game again though, and goals by Karl Miller (2), Cathal Field and substitute Brian Snowe fired them to victory. The final score was 6-12 to 3-11. Their opponents in the final were St Colmcille's, another club which draws its strength from a burgeoning young population. But having accounted for such 'big guns' as St Martins and Simonstown Gaels, the 'Moores' had certainly established their credentials. It was a memorable occasion at Pairc Tailteann and a novel one also, as neither team would have been fancied to make the decider. "It was one of the most exciting days ever at Pairc Tailteann. We had great support and we organised for the match to be videoed. The players were thrilled to be playing at Pairc Tailteann, but they were very relaxed before the game. "They sat up in the stand watching some of the game prior to our match and they were all pretty calm, which was a good sign," recalls Eithne, who represented the club at camogie in her playing days. She also had more than a just managerial interest in the final, as her 12-year-old son Andrew ensured she also had a paternal reason for standing on the sideline. Andrew was centre forward with the under-14s and for a lad of such a young age, his future looks bright. Eithne was one of four mentors that looked after the team this year, with Aidan McCarthy, Frank O'Donnell and John O'Sullivan making up the successful quartet. However, St Colmcille's looked the better team in the early stages of the final and led by two points at half time, 1-4 to 0-5. It was all or nothing for the Donaghmore/Ashbourne boys, and they produced an outstanding second-half display during which they outscored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1. Despite their early dominance, St Colmcille's were unable to run up a match-winning lead. They were wayward in their finishing and the Donaghmore/Ashbourne backs contributed with some good tackling and covering. Faolan Smith and David Morgan scored early points for the eventual winners but St Colmcille's began to exert control out the field and were on level terms approaching the end of the first quarter. Gradually the Seasiders began to find the range and they were further boosted by a Dean Collins goal with three minutes remaining to half time. Many neutrals believed that the boys in White and Green were in trouble at the break. They were finding possession difficult to come by and would have been much further behind but for the inaccuracy of the St Colmcille's forwards. However, it all changed early in the second-half when Iarlaith O'Donnell passed to substitute Brian Snowe who fisted to the net. Remarkably, young Snowe had also scored goals having been sprung from the bench in the quarter-final and again in the semi-final. From that point onwards, Donaghmore/Ashbourne took firm control of proceedings. David Morgan put them ahead and further points from Fionnan Mulvihill, Iarlaith O'Donnell, Brian Snowe and Andrew Tormey set the scene for enthusiastic celebrations in the stand. The final score was 1-10 to 1-5. The winners' halfback line of Stephen Dervan, David Morgan and Ciaran Ellis was particularly impressive while Fionnan Mulvihill and John Broderick provided a vital edge at centre-field in the second-half. Iarlaith O'Donnell, Brian Snowe and Faolan Smith caused most of the problems for the St Colmcille's defence. The hope now is that the players can build on this success in the coming years. Some of them have already lined out for the under-15s, while four have represented Meath at under-14 level. Stephen Dervan captained Meath in the Bannon Cup, while Donaghmore/Ashbourne teammates Ciaran Ellis, Fionnan Mulvihill and John Broderick also donned the Meath jersey. All in all it has been a great year for the team, and Eithne sees no reason why they can't be successful in the future. "They are a fantastic group of lads and they showed great respect all year. They were a very disciplined team and we never had any trouble from them anywhere we brought them. They never spoke back to referees and were commended on it a number of times. "They behaved impeccably throughout the year and all of the mentors are very proud of them. They have done themselves and the club proud this year." The triumphant team that lined out against St Colmcille's in the final is as follows: Shane Boland, Sean Curran, Sean Robinson, Eoin Caffrey, Stephen Dervan, David Morgan (0-2), Ciaran Ellis, Fionnan Mulvihill (0-l), John Broderick (0-1), Faolan Smith (0-3), Andrew Tormey (0-1), Iarlaith O'Donnell (0-1), Cathal Field, Karl Miller, Cian McGuire. Substitutes; Brian Snowe (1-1), Brian Menton and Gavin Kennedy. Camogie Club Donaghmore/Ashbourne junior camogie team had quite a successful season in 2003; the girls reached the county final against Kilmessan and after a very tough game that was enjoyable for all to watch, they went on to become the junior champions and as a result the girls will go on to compete at senior level in the coming year. Another good day for the junior team was on October 11th when we hosted our own Peg Kavanagh tournament, which we won for the second year in a row. Under 12 We started our year in February with indoor training as the majority of our players were just taking up camogie. We participated in the under 12 county championship for the first time in two years. Considering that it was most of the teams first year playing camogie they acquitted themselves very well. Under 14 We participated in the under 14 county championship playing Ratoath, Kilmessan, Kiltale and Blackhall Gaels and put up a fine display of camogie. We had a great victory over Kilyon. Feile na Gael Team This was our first time participating in Feile since the 1980s. Not only did we participate but we also hosted a visiting camogie team from Myshall, Carlow. Although we were unsuccessful on the field Feile proved to be the biggest success for underage camogie for years. 'Chicks with Sticks' is a very common sight anywhere you go now in Donaghmore/Ashbourne. All the support we received from parents and our club was greatly appreciated. Under 16 We participated in the Under 16 County Championship. This championship was a great launching pad for some of these players to play on the junior championship winning team. Well done to Evelyn Broderick and Nora Benville, who represented their club at county level on the under 16 team. With the amount of hard work been carried out at underage we see a very bright future for camogie in Donaghmore/Ashbourne. Our youngest players are playing from six years upwards and are showing great potential. Lastly, without the ongoing support from our mentors and parents none of this years teams would have been fielded. We wish all our teams in Donaghmore/Ashbourne continued success for 2004. Ladies football Great strides have been made by the ladies section of the club since its inception in 1998. This season we fielded U10, U12, U13 (feile) U14 and U16 juvenile teams all competing in Division 1 of their respective championships. The ladies also contested the Junior B championship. In previous years two U12 Division 1 titles, two U13 (feile) titles and an U14 Division 2 championship have been won and the players from these teams formed the nucleus of this years adult team. This season the ladies finally made the breakthrough, winning the Junior B title by beating Moynalty in the final. This followed on an unbeaten run of 12 championship games. The average age of the squad is only 16 and hopefully the team can go on to further heights in the years to come. The U16 team qualified for the final of their championship, where they faced a very good Dunboyne team. The girls battled for all their worth but were beaten on the day. Most of the squad will be U16 again next year and will give this competition another go, having benefited from the experience. The U14 team had a fantastic win in the county final, grabbing victory in a pulsating final five minutes when defeat seemed certain. They overturned a four point deficit to win by two points. The team had many on board who had suffered defeat in the final last year when the same opposition (Dunboyne again) snatched a late winner on that occasion. The U12 team had a slow start to their campaign and only started to find their feet towards the end of the season. They finished mid table but also have the nucleus of the same team for next year. The U13 feile team began their campaign with a great win over Ratoath. This knock out competition decides who will represent Meath in the All-Ireland finals next July. Donaghmore/Ashbourne have won the previous two Meath titles and have represented their county with pride and distinction. In 2002 we reached the Division 3 All-Ireland final, losing to Dromcollagher-Broadford in Carlow. This year the finals were held in Galway and we gained promotion to Division 1 where we held our own with the top teams in the country. This year's Meath feile is still undecided. The U0 girls in the championship for the first time blazed a trail all the way to the final, having played and won 13 games. In the final they came up against Navan O'Mahonys and in a highly entertaining game held on to a one point lead to run out winners. Well done to all the girls on all the different teams. Their dedication to training throughout the year has resulted in a very successful year being experienced by the club. A big thank you also to the committee members, coaches and all who helped in fund raising, driving to matches and supporting the teams throughout the season. Next year brings bigger and more exciting challenges. We look forward to meeting them. Ladies Squad: Ally Fitzgerald, Aine Ni Mhealóid, Caitríona Lawton, Claire Flaherty, Ally Kelly, Cliona Field, Danielle Mongan, Jocelyn Adare, Lyndsay Conway, Lizzy Lynch, Mairead O' Shaughnessy, Mary Rose McCann, Michelle Johnston, Niamh Mooney, Patricia Connell, Roisin Williams, Maríosa Molloy, Rachel McCarthy, Elva Kenna, Caitríona O'Shaughnessy, Enda Lynch, Alva Henson, Karla Macken, Julie Kavanagh, Karen Menton, Bronagh Clarke, Liana Snowe, Ciara Lee Jenkinson, Jennifer Moran. Mentors: Martin Mannering, Ray Lawton, Tom O'Shaughnessy U16 Squad: Cliona Field, Danielle Mongan, Lyndsay Conway, Mairead O'Shaughnessy, Mary Rose McCann, Niamh Mooney, Roisin Williams, Maríosa Molloy, Rachel McCarthy, Elva Kenna, Caitríona O'Shaughnessy, Enda Lynch, Alva Henson, Karla Macken, Julie Kavanagh, Karen Menton, Liana Snowe, Ciara Lee Jenkinson, Jennifer Moran, Shauna Boxwell, Roisin Meehan, Mary Kate Benville, Aishling Doherty, Anna Reidy, Cliona McCarthy Mentors: Martin Mannering, Ally Kelly, Tom O'Shaughnessy U14 Squad - Caitríona O'Shaughnessy, Jennifer Moran, Alva Henson, Aishling Doherty, Laura McCartan, Aishling Whyte, Janice Kavanagh, Natalie Behan, Shauna Boxwell, Laura Rock, Liana Snowe, Roisin Meehan, Darina Burnell, Karla Macken, Mairead Finn, Karen Menton, Lisa Macken, Ailis Moran, Elaine Finnegan, Anna Reidy, Haley Lawton, Mary Kate Benville, Cliona McCarthy, Mary Timlyn, Fiona Fitzpatrick, Michelle Clarke, Maire O'Shaughnessy Mentors - Martin Mannering, Ally Keely, Tom O'Shaughnessy U13 Feile Squad - Aisling Doherty, Laura McCartan, Aisling Whyfe, Natalie Behan, Roisin Meehan, Darina Burrell, Lisa Macken, Ailis Moran, Elaine Finnegan, Máire O'Shaughnessy, Anna Reidy, Haley Lawton, Mary Kate Benville, Cliona McCarthy, Mary Timlyn, Aoife O'Rourke, Aine Mulchrone, Aoife Gormley, Jeannie Donnelly, Grainne Field, Alison Leahy Mentors - Paul Boland, Frank Reidy, Colette Behan, Geraldine Moran U10 - Gemma Rock, Máire O'Shaughnessy, Niamh Hilton, Louise Gormley, Rebecca Walton, Emily Doyle, Helen Reidy, Lauren Lawton, Shauna Lawton, Jo Woods, Cristín Kelly, Charlene Harkin, Rachel Sinnott, Rachel Fenton, Ciara Menton, Kate Heffernan, Helen Moran, Shelley Leahy, Jennifer Walton, Meaghan Power, Ciara Rice, Gráinne Bonnar Mentors U12 & U10 - Derek Moran, Mary O'Shaughnessy, John Kelly, Mossy Fenton and Claire Flaherty Tweet

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