Niall Kelly's 58th minute point from a trademark long range free-kick proved decisive as Dunshaughlin edged out newcomers Donaghmore/Ashbourne in an exciting clash at Ratoath on Friday night to move to the summit of Group C after two rounds of the Commons Hardware SFC. Dunshaughlin 1-7 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-6 Donaghmore/Ashbourne's Rory O'Connor conceded the free when taking too much out of the ball and the former county player obliged by finding the range from almost 60 metres. That left it 1-7 to 1-5 but all Donaghmore/Ashbourne could muster in the time remaining that included over six minutes of stoppage time, that was well merited, was a point from corner-back Joey Long. What the contest lacked in quality in made up for in endeavour on both sides. Referee Pat Clarke deserves credit for firm and unfussy handling of a hard-hitting but sporting fixture. Last terms IFC winners looked to be in big trouble when trailing by 1-1 to 1-3 at half-time having played with a strong wind blowing towards the road goal. The introduction of Andrew Tormey and Niall Farrell improved matters in attack for the team from the county's second largest urban centre. They should have grabbed a second goal when Tony Morgan blazed wide in the 40th minute having been put the by his brother Tony. A 'major' would have left Andy McEntee men's 2-3 to 1-4 to the good and despite whittling the margin back to the minimum on three further occasions they couldn never get back on level terms. Donaghmore/Ashbourne got off to a flying start when David Morgan goaled within three minutes of the start, but went over 30 more minutes without registering before the same player pointed in first-half stoppage time. With Caoimhin King dictating matters from centre-half-back, Dunshaughlin upped their game but it took them until the 27th minute to level matters, 0-3 to 1-0, when Michael Reilly pointed at the end of a fine move with lively corner-forward Cathal O'Dwyer providing the assist. Then came the score of the match, a spectacular goal from David Crimmins for which Conor Staunton and Reilly played key supporting roles. From there to the end Dunshaughlin held the upper hand. Dunshaughlin - R. Gogan; F. Gogan, K. McTigue, A. Johnson; M. Ahern, C. King, D. Kealy; C. Finn, N. Kelly (0-1, free); D. Crimmins (1-0), M. Reilly (0-3, 2 frees), D. Devereaux; C. Staunton (0-1), R. Maloney, C. O'Dwyer (0-2, 1 free). Subs - C. Farrelly for Devereaux (42 mins), M. McHale for Reilly (47 mins), R. Yore for F. Gogan (55 mins), G. Dowd for Finn (56 mins). Donaghmore/Ashbourne - P. Durkan; J. Long (0-1), C. McGill, P. Finn; C. Ellis, C. O Mealoid, J. Finnegan; R. O'Connor, E. Reilly; K. Lanigan, S. Harmon, E. Carroll; I. Dowd, D. Morgan (1-3, 0-2 frees), T. Morgan. Subs - A. Tormey (0-2, free) for Dowd, N. Farrell for Lanigan (both half-time). Referee - P. Clarke (Seneschalstown). Tweet

Most Read Stories