St Colmcille's emerged from an engrossing MFC final with the Delany Cup to go along with an impressive win over Donaghmore-Ashbourne at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

St Colmcille's .......... 2-12
Don-Ashbourne ......... 1-8

In their fourth MFC final in-a-row, the Seasiders put their loss to Dunshaughlin in the 2020 final behind them to claim the silverware with seven points to spare.

It was in the third quarter that Micky Conlon and Stephen O'Brien's charges put a major deposit on a trophy they last held in 2019.

One point up after a topsy-turvy first-half, The Cilles kicked on in the third quarter. The crucial score arrived in the 36th minute Aaron Grant flicked Danny Ehichoya's long delivery to the net.

Ehichoya was one of the most impressive players. His energy created openings for team mates. Meath's All-Ireland MFC final winning scorer Shaun Leonard was also prominent.

St Colmcille's moved five clear twice more before the second water break when it was 2-9 to 1-7.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne rallied in the last quarter, but had little to show for it. The impressive Zach Thornton's fourth point, in the 48th minute, completed the team in green's account.

St Colmcille's saw out the hour with three unanswered points with top scorer Christian Finlay completing their tally. 

Donaghmore-Ashbourne were first to show in a lively first-half with a Sean Tyrell point.His opposite number on the St Colmcille's side, Conor Clifford, soon levelled matters.

The Seasiders struck for goal in the sixth minute when Christian Finlay flicked Shaun Leonard's pass to the net, after the All-Ireland MFC winner cut in along the end line.

A well-judged Finlay point left it 1-2 to 0-2 after 11 minutes. In the run-up to the water break the tide turned Donaghmore-Ashbourne's way.  A Sean Tyrrell goal levelled matters before points from Paul Wilson and Zach Thornton (free) left it 1-4-each.

Matters continued to be close and exciting during the second-quarter. Despite falling further behind to another Thornton free, St Colmcille's finished the half strongly to lead by 1-6 to 1-5 at half-time.

Within six minutes of the restart, the Piltown outfit moved five points clear. Four points was the closest Donaghmore-Ashbourne got to St Colmcille's in the time remaining.

Scorers: St Colmcille's - Christian Finlay 1-4 (2fs), Aaron Grant 1-1; Daniel Echichoya, Oisin O Murchadha (1f) 0-2 each; Tadhg Duff, Conor Clifford 0-1, Shaun Leonard 0-1 each.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Sean Tyrell 1-1; Zach Thornton 0-4 (2fs); Michael O'Sullivan 0-2 (fs); Paul Wilson 0-1.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Alex Ward; Daniel Martyn, Thomas Cooney (c), Milo Connolly; Oisin Daly, Aidan Mackey, Dominion Agbaha; Alex Purcell, Evan O'Kane; Sean Tyrrell, Paul Wilson, Eoin Kelly; Michael O'Sullivan, Cael Sullivan, Zach Thornton. Subs - Matthew Scanlon for Martyn (39), Josh Lancaster for Purcell (43), Dylan Smyth for
Kelly (56),

St Colmcille's - David O'Brien;Cathal Monaghan, Oisin Brennan, Cian O'Connell; Luke Conlon, Eoin Gillick (c), Adrian Kavanagh; Evan Breen, Shaun Leonard; Conor Clifford, Christian Finlay, Charlie Bacon; Aaron Grant, Oisin O Murchadha, Daniel Ehichoya. Subs - Tadhg Duff for Clifford (24), Conor Murphy for Ehichoya (54), Tiarnan Rowley for Grant (60 + 1), Rory Kelly for Bacon (60 + 3)

Referee - Stephen Dawson (Carnaross)

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