CLG Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 3-16 Gaeil Colmcille 2-18

Donaghmore Ashbourne, under new manager Timmy O’Regan, opened their 2025 competitive season with a hard-earned 1-point Feis Cup victory over Gaeil Colmcille in Grangegodden on Saturday.

With both sides and supporters coming to terms with the new rules this was an entertaining game with plenty of learning for players and management alike. Credit to referee Kieran Olwell for his contribution to the game and his communication with the players on his decisions around the new rules.

Sean Tyrrell opened the scoring for the visitors with a goal in the first minute before adding a point a minute later. The Kells lads replied with a point and goal to draw the sides level on 3 minutes. Dylan Brady restored the lead for the Moors as he finished off a move from the kick out with a point. The home side registered their first two pointer with a free to go into the lead on 6 minutes. This was followed up with a single point and another two pointer on 8 and 9 minutes respectfully.

Donaghmore Ashbourne then hit a purple patch with Jack Doran raising a green flag on 10 minutes and Darragh McGovern hitting three frees on 13, 14 and 17 minutes before Sean Tyrrell adding to the scoreboard on 17 minutes. Darragh McGovern raised the white flag on 20 minutes to go four points ahead.

Although Kells replied with a free on 24 minutes, Darragh McGovern raised Donaghmore Ashbourne’s first orange flag of the season with a 2-point free on 25 minutes. The closing minutes of the half saw Gaeil Colmcille register two points with Dylan Brady replying with a goal for the visitors just before the break.

Half time: Gaeil Colmcille 1-09 v 3-09 CLG Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin

Donaghmore Ashbourne made a number of changes at the interval and extended their lead with Andrew Tormey raising the orange flag for 2-point free on 35 minutes and Darragh McGovern finishing off a move with a point from the resulting kick out to go nine points ahead.

The home side did reduce the deficit with four consecutive points, two from play and two from frees before substitute Daniel Doherty pointed on 51 minutes. Doherty got his second of the afternoon a minute later.

As expected, the home side were never going to give up and reduced the deficit with 3 frees. Daniel Doherty got Donaghmore Ashbourne’s last score of the afternoon with a beautiful 2 pointer from the left-hand side on 55 minutes.

With the home side scoring 1-02 in the closing minutes, it was a nervy time for the Donaghmore Ashbourne management and supporters, but they managed to hold on for a 1-point win.

Overall, it was an entertaining game with both teams learning a lot on the format of the new game.

Full time: Gaeil Colmcille 2-18 v 3-16 CLG Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin

Donaghmore Ashbourne scorers: D. Mc Govern (0-07) (4F and 1 x 2PF) S. Tyrrell (1-02), D. Brady (1-01), D. Doherty (0-4) (1x 2P), J. Doran (1-0), A. Tormey (0-2) (1x 2PF)

Donaghmore Ashbourne: S. Brady, O. Daly, E. Quinn, J. Redmond, M. Crumlish, T. McGovern, C. Hegarty, K. Cully, E. O’Kane, D. Gleeson, D. McGovern, J. Browne, J. Doran, D. Brady, S. Tyrrell.

Subs: A. Tormey for Brady (HT), M. Deegan for Doran (HT), E. Ryan for Brady (HT), J. Crumlish for M. Crumlish (41), S. Byrne for Hegarty (41), M. Connolly for Redmond (41), L. Barrett for Daly (41), D. Doherty for S. Tyrrell (41), K. Hogan for O’Kane (44), K. Fenton for Gleeson (44).

 

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