The Meath MFC winners are Donaghmore/Ashbourne after a highly exciting final win over Summerhill at Pairc Tailteann. Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-08 Summerhill 2-07 Courtesy of www.donashgaa.com What can you say about this team, their spirit, their never say die attitude. Well they got their just rewards as they stand chest out at the top of the pile in Meath Minor football circles. To be honest Tuesday night's semi final performance in Skryne was much better in terms of quality, scoring, teamwork and entertainment but today we seemed to suffer from nerves and never really showed the full array of skills we have. However what we did show in abundance was guts and hard work and in the end it did pay off and boy what a way to finish a final. We did get off to a good start with Andrew Tormey opening the scoring with a fine point after 2 minutes following a free from Eric Callaghan that hit the post. Summerhill did reply on 4 minutes to level things up. Things did not look good on 9 minutes when Eoin Reilly received a heavy blow but after some attention he recovered and this seemed to inspire the team. A minute later David Morgan had found the bottom on the net to give us a three point lead. Andrew Tormey extended the lead on 14 minutes with another fine point. At the start of the second quarter both sides exchanged scores with Daniel Cullen scoring for our lads. As we reached the twenty minute stage Donaghmore Ashbourne looked as they were taking control of the game and it required action from the Summerhill side. The Summerhill side dominated the remainder of the half. In this period they scored 1-03 with our only score coming from Andrew Tormey on 25 minutes. The second half saw a different line out from our lads in that there were six different positional changes. David Morgan went to full back, Fionan O'Moaolmhichil went to left half forward, Iarlaith O'Donnell went to left half back with Ciaran Ellis going to centre half back. Stephen Dervan moved to centre half forward with Eric Callaghan moving out to partner Eoin o Reilly in midfield. Playing against the wind in the second period our first attack fell short into the keeper's hands. We also hit a wide before Eric Callaghan pointed from a free on 35 minutes. Summerhill replied with a free on 37 minutes. Our response was almost instant with Eric Callaghan getting his second. Disaster struck almost a minute later when a high ball caused our full back line trouble and the ball spilled to a Summerhill forward who with a one on one gave Colin Garry no chance. Brian Snow reduced the deficit on 40 minutes when he collected a ball from an Eric Callaghan free that hit the post and he slotted it over. Summerhill's last score came at the start of the final quarter from another free and from this point on our lads tried to get the vital scores to get back into the game. Although we had plenty of possession it looked as if the clock was going to beat us. We had two goal chances on 48 and 54 minutes and hit four wides in the final 10 minutes. Going into injury time it looked as if it was not going to be our day at the Summerhill back line looked solid and showed why they won the last two Minor titles in Meath. To our credit we never gave up and with 4 minutes of injury time played David Morgan scored our first point for 24 minutes. On our final attack Eoin Callaghan sent in a high ball looking for that vital goal. Daniel Cullen, even though surrounded by blue and gold managed to collect it and was fouled with the referee awarding a penalty kick. With our penalty taker from Tuesday night, Brian Snow already being substituted Stephen Dervan had the hopes of his team mates, management and the entire club on his shoulders. Although he had to wait a few minutes before taking the spot kick he showed nerves of steel to rattle the back of the net. It was the last kick of the game. What a way to win a final. For those of us old enough to remember "Roy of the Rovers" I can't even remember Melchester Rovers ever winning a final with that sort of final drama. On a final note it was great to see they joy in Ashbourne as the Garda Escort and a proud Noel Finn in the Roadstone Lorry led the cavalcade down through the village. The support at the match was also great to see. Well done to all involved and roll on the Lenister Club Championship. Donaghmore Ashbourne: Colin Garry; Padraig Mc Cabe, Fionan O'Moaolmhichil, Fiach O'Loingsigh, Ciaran Finn, Stephen Dervan(1-0) (1P), Ciaran Ellis, Eoin Reilly, David Morgan(1-01), Andrew Tormey(0-3), Eric Callaghan(0-2, 1F), Iarlaith O'Donnell, Brian Snow(0-1), Daniel Cullen(0-1), Donal Mc Carthy. Subs: Faolán Smyth for B. Snow and Stephen Kavanagh for F. O'Moaolmhichil Tweet

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