Andrew Tormey was the central figure as Donaghmore-Ashbourne were too good for Gaeil Colmcille in this SFC quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.

Don-Ashbourne ........ 1-15
Gaeil Colmcille ........ 1-11

His two scores proved to be the difference between the sides at the end, but his support play was significant in helping Mick Deegan's men through to the last four.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne made good use of the elements in the first-half as they compiled all but six points of their final tally.

The 'Moors maintained the form they displayed in the big win over Dunshaughlin in their final group game.

Bryan Menton's second minute point, at the town end, earned Donaghmore-'Ashbourne a lead they would take to the finish.

Playing a more fluid game than the Kells-men, Donaghmore-Ashbourne exerted a dominance from the off, that grew as the half went on.

Their defensive tackling was crisp and effective while Michael Deegan kept the scoreboard operator busy.

Gaeil Colmcille were guilty of poor retention of possession at times but passed up a gilt-edged goal chance in the 12th minute.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne 'keeper Andrew Colgan atoned for a poor kick-out by stopping Brian Hanlon's goal attempt.

Ahead by 0-5 to 0-3 at the first water break, Donaghmore-Ashbourne maintained momentum from the resumption, outscoring Gaeil Colmcille by 1-4 to 0-2 in the second quarter.

Seamus Mattimoe's 24th minute point - his side's first score from play - left Gaeil Colmcille just 0-5 to 0-7 in arrears.

Over the remainder of the half, Donaghmore-Ashbourne added 1-2 without reply. The goal arrived in the 30th minute with Tormey flicking to the net with Dylan Brady and Jamie Browne assisting.

Ahead by 1-9 to 0-5 at the break, the Ashbourne-side moved nine clear by the 38th minute.

Last year's runners-up struggled to make headway, but were boosted by sub Adam Muldoon's 47th minute goal, that owed something to Lady Luck in a crowded goalmouth.

Lar Wall's side were just four points in arrears in the 56th minute when another Muldoon goal attempt was tipped over his own bar by 'keeper Colgan.

Deegan's accuracy moved The Moors five ahead in stoppage time before a Hanlon 45 brought the curtain down on the evening and Gaeil Colmcille's campaign.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne's reward is a semi-final tilt at Dunboyne

Scorers: Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Michael Deegan 0-9 (4fs); Andrew Tormey 1-1; Dylan Brady 0-2; Shaun Byrne, Bryan Menton, Andrew Colgan (f) 0-1 each. 

Gaeil Colmcille - Brian Hanlon 0-5 (3fs, 1 45); Seamus Mattimoe 0-5 (2fs); Adam Muldoon 1-1.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andrew Colgan; Jason Boland, Iarlaith O'Donnell, Conor Carton; Evan Quinn, Thomas McGovern, Sean Curran (C); Shane Melia, Bryan Menton; Darragh McGovern, Dylan Brady, Shaun Byrne; Michael Deegan, Andrew Tormey, Jamie Browne. Subs - James Crumlish for Browne (46), James Redmond for Byrne (59), Leo Reilly for D McGovern (60 + 3), Stephen Carton for Tormey (60 + 4).

Gaeil Colmcille - Justin Carry Lynch; Jonny Quigley, Paul Tormay, James Reilly; Conal Courtney, Barry Tormay, Seanie Curran; Phillip Ward, Oisin Reilly; Evan Sheridan, Adam Donnelly, Fionn Reilly; Seamus Mattimoe, Ryan Farnham, Brian Hanlon. Subs - Martin Barrett for Farnham (ht), Adam Muldoon for Donnelly (ht), Cormac Ferguson for Curran (46), Fionn Ferguson for Ward (46), Cormac Keegan for B Tormay (56).

Referee - Keith Sheerin (Drumconrath)

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