Efficiency was central to Donaghmore-Ashbourne's narrow hoganstand.com SFC Group C win over Na Fianna at Trim on Saturday evening.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne 0-14
Na Fianna 1-8

Donaghmore-Ashbourne made it three wins from three while imposing a first defeat of the campaign on last year's runners-up.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne lined out without the suspended Andrew Tormey while Na Fianna started minus the services of county forward Dalton McDonagh, who saw action for the final quarter.

Of more significance was Na Fianna's tally of 12 wides, six in each half, while Donaghmore-Ashbourne had just four. The winners defence operated effectively as a unit, limiting the usually prolific opponents to two goal chances.

The second was a brave block by influential Donaghmore-Ashbourne team captain Eoin Reilly who took a heavy knock when getting in the way of Jamie Queeney pile-driver with the hour almost up.

Having responded instantly to going behind for the only time, just before the break, Donaghmore-Ashbourne resumed with four points on the bounce within five minutes. Thereafter Na Fianna only managed to half that deficit.

Nine different players contributed to the winners' tally with just two of those scores coming from frees. The goal apart, just two points of Na Fianna's total came from play and one of those scores came from sub Anthony Neary in the 55th minute with what proved to be his side's final flag.

Playing into the town goal, Donaghmore-Ashbourne were quick off the mark reeling off four points without reply in the opening eight minutes.

Michael Deegan opened the scoring and he then instigated the move that saw Paul Gilligan open his account. Eoghan Riordan notched the third one before Gilligan doubled his tally from a free.

With Shane Melia in a 'sweeper role', as Na Fianna's Conor Downey operated behind midfield,Donaghmore-Ashbourne looked set to boss matters for the remainder of the half.

Daniel Queeney notched all four of Na Fianna's first-half points that included two frees, the first coming in the 11th minute. A good Ollie Lewis catch and lay-off put wing-back Michael Farley but his attempt hit the right post before becoming his side's fifth wide.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne responded with two points on the spin from Shaun Byrne and Mattie Devine to leave it 0-6 to 0-1 with a third of the game gone.

Last year's runners-up hit their best spell posting 1-3 without reply to briefly lead by the minimum with the interval beckoning. Daniel Queeney fisted brother Jamie's free to the net in the 27th minute to level matters for the first time. Then in stoppage time a quickly taken Shane Barrett free saw Jamie Queeney give Na Fianna the lead for the only time with his side's first point from play.

That advantage was quickly erased with Byrne levelling matters and the board read 1-4 to 0-7 at the break. Donaghmore-Ashbourne resumed with a scoring burst that ultimately proved decisive.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andy Colgan; Jason Boland, Cormac McGill, Conor Carton; Paul Gilligan (0-3,2fs), Shane Melia, Sean Curran (0-1); Eoin Reilly, Bryan Menton; Shaun Byrne (0-3), Eric Callaghan (0-1), Eoghan Riordan (0-1); Aidan Hughes, Michael Deegan (0-2), Mattie Devine (0-1). Subs - Ciaran Beirne (0-1) for Hughes (ht), Ciaran Ellis (0-1) for Callaghan (42), Daithi Murtagh for Riordan (48), Tony Morgan for Devine (53), Iarlaith O'Donnell for Byrne (55).

Na Fianna - Shane Geraghty; Christy Cosgrave, Brian Queeney, John Baldwin; Michael Farley, Evan Henrick, Dean Henrick; Ollie Lewis, Ailbhe Mahon; Daniel Queeney (1-1, 0-1f), Tommy Cosgrave, Jamie Queeney (0-4, 2fs, 1 45); Barry Slevin, Conor Downey (0-1); Shane Barrett (0-2fs). Subs - Dean Barrett for Mahon (36), Anthony Neary (0-1) for Baldwin (38), Dalton McDonagh for Farley (46).

Referee - Patrick Nelis (Kilmainham) Tweet

Most Read Stories