Goal-power was central to Donaghmore-Ashbourne's double scores win over Dunboyne in the MFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday

Donaghmore-Ashbourne 3-5
Dunboyne 0-7

Donaghmore-Ashbourne were on the back foot for most of the hour and their tenacity was rewarded with a strong finish that saw them post 2-2 without reply in the final quarter.

Team captain and full-back Jack McCarney ignited the late charge when pointing at the town goal in the 49th minute. Sub Cian Wall provided the assist for the score that left Donaghmore-Ashbourne just one point in arrears, 1-3 to 0-7.

Seconds later Ian Dowd's charges were in front when influential substitute Jamie Murtagh fired to the net after Conor Donnelly created the opening.

Hopes of Dunboyne comeback were stymied by a resolute Donaghmore-Ashbourne defence where centre-half-back Thomas McGovern was also prominent.

An exchange of passes between Murtagh and Wall led to the latter being fouled. Michael Deegan's penalty kick was saved by this year's county minor 'keeper Andrew Markey.

Deegan collected the rebound and finished to the net in composed fashion with 58 minutes gone. The impressive Thomas McGovern completed the scoring and copper fasten a success that ends losing run in finals for Donaghmore-Ashbourne

In overcast, damp conditions, Dunboyne set the early pace with a brace of points within 90 seconds of the throw-in. Phillip Darcy placed wing-back Gavin Ryan for the opening score while Andrew Creevey was the provider for David McEntee's first point.

Dunboyne dominated possession and territory in the opening quarter but it wasn't until the mid point of the half they extended their lead through McEntee who blocked Jack McCarney's attempted clearence before scoring.

Seconds later midfielder Shane Weston was on the scoresheet but Dunboyne could have been more than four points ahead at this stage.

Creevey had Dunboyne's best goal chance in the first-half but his low shot was well-blocked by Donaghmore-Ashbourne 'keeper Cian Field in the eighth minute.

Shortly after Dunboyne's Seamus Lavin had a goal attempt comfortably stopped by Field. Donaghmore-Ashbourne had their chance to find the net but Conor O'Dwyer fired low, right and wide in the 18th minute.

Field started the move and his long clearence found Kevin Fenton who transferred to Conor Donnelly who in turn placed O'Dwyer.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne finally got off the mark in the 20th minute when Michael Deegan converted a free. The boys in green and white were further boosted when Darragh McGovern goaled in the 28th minute to tie the scores at 1-1 to 0-4.

A Sean McGrath score left Dunboyne 0-5 to 1-1 to the good at the break. In a low scoring third quarter, Creevey's 41st minute point doubled Dunboyne's advantage.

A Michael Deegan free cut the margin to the minimum again but it was quickly countered by David McEntee's 47th minute free that left Robbie Brennan's boys ahead by 0-7 to 1-2.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Cian Field; Cian O'Rourke, Jack McCarney (0-1) (C), Jack Giles; Ryan Bannon, Thomas McGovern (0-1), Liam Finn; Dylan Brady, Darragh McGovern (1-1); Conor O'Dwyer, Michael Deegan (1-2, 0-2fs), Shaun Byrne; Conor Donnelly, Jack O'Connor, Kevin Fenton. Subs - Jamie Murtagh (1-0) for O'Dwyer (24), Cian Wall for Fenton (40).

Dunboyne - Andrew Markey; Daire Boylan, Ben Carolan, Killian Smith; Jordan McLoughlin, Seamus Lavin, Gavin Ryan (0-1); Shane Weston (0-1), Gary Harper (C); Eamonn J Gilligan, Sean McGrath (0-1), Shane Comiskey; Phillip Darcy, David McEntee (0-3, f), Andrew Creevey (0-1). Subs - Conor Finn for Darcy (52), Keith Doyle for Gilligan (56).

Referee - Jason Smyth (Navan O'Mahonys) Tweet

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