Donaghmore-Ashbourne maintained their 100% win record in the hoganstand.com SFC Group C with this narrow win over St Patrick's at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne 0-17
St Patrick's  1-11

A five-point scoring burst within nine minutes of the resumption was central to the outcome while St Patrick's cause was underminded by the dismissal of top scorer Niall Mooney with about ten minutes remaining.when Donaghmore-Ashbouurne held a three-point advantage.

Mooney had 1-6 to his name when he was sent-off and his departure undermined St Pat's bid to reach the knockout stages as they faced the wind and sun in the second-half. 

Donaghmore-Ashbourne had the greater spread of scorers and by the end eight of their number - including two members of their half-back line - were on the scoresheet.

Mooney's opening score gave St Pat's the lead for the only time, from a free three minutes in. The scores were tied three times in the opening half. However, Donaghmore-Ashbourne remained in front to the end following their post interval scoring burst.

Dara McGovern got Donaghmore-Ashbourne's decisive sequence going while Andrew Tormey contributed two of the aforementioned five points. Ciaran Beirne also registered while wing-back and captain Paul Gilligan (free) also contributed during this phase.

St Patrick's came into the game in third place in the group but found themselves five points down after 40 minutes before making a brave bid to prolong their interest in the championship. Two pointed Mooney frees got St Pat's to within a goal of Donaghmore-Ashbourne.

They got to within two points of Donaghmore-Ashbourne when Neil O'Flaherty sent over a 58th minute free. Shaun Byrne closed the scoring as Donaghmore-Ashbourne advanced to the business end.

With the wind and the sun behind them St Pat's opened the scoring through Niall Mooney (free). Donaghmore-Ashbourne replied with four scores on the spin with wing-back Ciaran Ellis pushing forward to register two of them.

The Stamullen-side were more wasteful than Donaghmore-Ashbourne in the opening half registering five wides to the table toppers two. Michael Deegan was the provider for Eoghan Riordan's second score to leave it 0-5 to 0-2.

St Patrick's responded positively with their spell of the half. It started with their first score from play, a fine effort from distance by Niall Mooney. Shaun Byrne's second poiint left Donaghmore-Ashbourne 0-8 to 0-4 to the good after 25 minutes.

Two scores in quick succession had the sides level for the second time. Niall Mooney struck a fine goal from about 20 metres with support from Darren Hagan and Niall Whearty.

There was some respite for Donaghmore-Ashbourne when Andrew Tormey pointed a close range free. Mooney brought his tally to 1-4 with an excellent effort that left the teams tied at the break, 0-9 to 1-6.

With the wind at their back Donaghmore-Ashbourne tagged on five points on the spin within nine minutes of the resumption to leave the board reading 0-14 to 1-6.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andrew Colgan; Thomas McGovern, Cormac McGill, Jason Boland; Paul Gilligan (C) (0-1), Shane Melia, Ciaran Ellis (0-2); Conor Carey, Bryan Menton, Dara McGovern (0-1) , Andrew Tormey (0-3, 1f), Shaun Byrne (0-3); Eoghan Riordan (0-2), Ciaran Beirne (0-2), Michael Deegan (0-2). Subs - Eric Callaghan for Carey (48), Mattie Devine (0-1) for Beirne (48), Conor Carton for Boland (53), Aidan Hughes for Riordan (56), JP Casserly for Gilligan (60).

St Patrick's - Seamus Byrne, Diarmaid Quinn, Ciaran Calvey, Andrew Mooney;Finian Everard (0-1), Darren Hagan, Ray Russell; Shane Dowling, Kieran Lynch, David Stafford, Neil O'Flaherty (0-1f), Barry Mooney; Niall Whearty (0-3fs), Donal Landy, Niall Mooney (1-6, 0-6fs). Subs - Shane Landy for A Mooney (34), Shane McGinty for B Mooney (50), Keith Whearty for Everard (55).

Referee - Patrick Nelis (Kilmainham)

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