MFC final: Moors make it six
October 16, 2022
Dhmore Ashbourne's Adam Doran with Oran Lawlor Seneschalstown during the Meath MFC Division 1 final at Pairc Tailteann
Donaghmore-Ashbourne claimed the MFC title for the sixth time with a decisive win over a spirited Seneschalstown at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. PHOTOS
Donaghmore-Ashbourne ........... 1-12
Seneschalstown ...................... 1-6
Vinny Carton's charges made most of the running and were deserving of their Delany Cup having lost to St Colmcille's in last year's final.
They started six players who were a distant second to Trim in the MHC final seven days earlier.
Having accounted for all of this side's tally then, Michael O'Sullivan top scored here with 1-3 from play. HIs brilliantly struck 36th minute goal left the board readiing 1-9 to 0-3.
Not giving up on the search for their first MFC title, Seneschalstown took the game to the Moors. They posted three points on the spin through Robbie Finnegan to leave just six points in the difference by the 49th minute.
Declan Byrne's side couldn'f fashion the goal required to keep their title hopes alive. A Zach Thornton free broke Donaghmore-Ashbourne's 21-minute scoreless spell. They closed their account with a trio of points
In the third minute of added time, Sam Kirwan pulled a goal back for Seneschalstown with well-struck penalty which Donaghmore-Ashbourne goalkeeper Daniel Doherty was close to keeping out.
On an ideal day for football, overcast with little breeze, Donaghmore-Ashbourne opened with four points in the opening seven minutes from as many different players.
A 15-minute gap ensued before the next score, an Adam Doran pointed free. Seconds later, in the 23rd minute, Cian Commons got Seneschalstown off the mark when following an exchange of passes with midfielder Darren O'Brien.
Most of the action centred round Seneschalstown in the remainder of the half as a Commons free broke to Eamon Finnegan who shot as deflected for a 45. The subsequent kick proved fruitless and by half-time Seneschalstown had five wides to Donaghmore-Ashbourne's one.
A Sam Kirwan free was Seneschalstown's second score but it was sandwiched by two Donaghmore-Ashbourne points from Michael O'Sullivan. The first was from a free and the second, in the fifth minute of added time, was a punched effort from an Oisin Daly 45.
Ahead by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break, Donaghmore-Ashbourne were in a good position heading into the second-half. They duly delivered. It was followed by the presentation and Eoin Kelly's speech, one of the best heard from an underage captain
Scorers: Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Michael O'Sullivan 1-3; Adam Doran 0-3 (1f); Zach Thornton 0-3 (f); Jack Doran 0-2; Matthew Scanlan 0-1.
Seneschalstown - Sam Kirwan 1-1 (1-0 pen); Robbie Finnegan 0-3 (1f); Seimi Byrne 0-1; Cian Commons 0-1;
Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Daniel Doherty; Alex McCann, Oisin Daly, Conor McNally; Jack Doran, Aidan Mackey, Cian Dowling; Patrick Moran, Evan O'Kane; Adam Doran, Zach Thornton, Michael O'Sullivan; Ryan Murphy, Scott Johnston, Matthew Scanlon. Subs - Leon Mahon for Johnston (53), Derry Sullivan for Mahon (58), Dannan Donnelly for A Doran (60).
Seneshchalstown - Luke Healy; Colin Scanlon, Oran Lawlor, Connor Rooney; Jack McDonnell, Danny Waters, Liam Dillon; Darren O'Brien, Seimi Byrne; Cian Commons, Robbie Finnegan, Sam Kirwan; Eamon Finnegan, Joe Norris, Alex Finnegan. Subs - Kyle Hosie for A Finnegan (ht), Phillip Smyth for Scanlon (60), Tommy Walsh for E Finnegan (61), Liam O'Reilly for McDonnell (64).
Referee - Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin).
