Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-7   Ratoath 0-5

Donaghmore Ashbourne opened their Championship campaign with a good win over near neighbours Ratoath in Sean Eiffe Park.

The winners saw most of the play in the opening 10 mins, missed a couple of points but soon settled in to play. Strong play from the middle of the field from Eva McNelis and Claire Mullen sent ball into the forward line to Maggie Randle. Maire OShaughnessy and Aoibhin Cleary linked up cleverly to distribute ball well. Abbie Timmons opened the scoring with a point from play. Cleary followed up quickly with another point. Ratoath moved the ball down field but the back line of Michelle Peel and sisters Kate and Marie Heffernan forced them to shoot wide. Emma McCarney with her trademark runs carried the ball well . Timmons was awarded a free which she slotted over the bar. Siofra Cleary and Aoife O Rourke harassed and passed ball well. Fine passing play between O'Shaughnessy and Timmons resulted in Timmons hitting the back of the net for the opening goal.

Ratoath came out very strong in the second half. Judy Bobbett saved a couple of fine shots, strong as ever. Ratoath hit 3 unanswered points before Sophie Geoghegan pointed for Donaghmore. Another 2 points for Ratoath and it seemed like a come back was on the cards. Aoife Toner, pacy as ever carried and passed well. Clever play again from Peel got Donaghmore out of danger, a pass to Cleary, to O'Shaughnessey to Timmons resulted in Timmons raising the green flag again for Donaghmore. Roisin Williams for Randle and Aoisle Lawlor for M Heffernan brought fresh legs to the game. Grace O'Sullivan for A Cleary and L Butler for Geoghegan injected new energy. More good play from O'Rourke and Peel found the industrious Timmons who pointed again for Don/Ash. 

Donaghmore Ashbourne: J Bobbett, K Heffernan, M Peel, M Heffernan, E McCarney, A ORourke, S Cleary, E McNelis, C Mullen (0-1), A Toner, M OShaughnessey, A Cleary (0-1), S Geoghegan (0-1), M Randle, A Timmons (2-4)

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