Barry Farrelly's brilliant block from Jamie Browne's close range shot in the fourth minute of added time ensured Gaeil Colmcille claimed victory over Donaghmore-Ashbourne in this SFC opener at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.

Gaeil Colmcille ................... 0-16
Donaghmore-Ashbourne ....... 2-7

It was the last act of an engrossing contest that grew in tempo as Donaghmore-Ashbourne sought to erase a defcit that was seven points on three occasions, the final time being in the 43rd minute when Brian Hanlon's 45 made it 0-14 to 1-4.

Hanlon's eight points went a long way to nailing the spoils for Gaeil Colmcille - and avenging last year's SFC quarter-final loss to the Ashbourne side. The Kells-men led from the opening minute and were never reeled in by the team in green and white..

Luke Dempsey's men might have won by a wider margin but for some unforced errors that left Donaghmore-Ashbourne in contention to the end. 
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The third quarter yielded just three scores and by the mid-point of the half, Gaeil Colmcille were in control, leading by seven points..

The sides exchanged points before Kevin Fenton's 49th minute goal, assisted by Shane Melia, left just four points between the sides. Having failed to make inroads into the deficit in third quarter when assisted by the elements, Donaghmore upped their game late on.

Following Fenton's goal, Donaghmore-Ashbourne found scores harder to come by.Stephen Carton's point left a goal in it with four minutes of added time underway.

Jonny Quigley's point offered Gaeil Colmcille some respite and ensured they would get at least a draw from this fixture. Farrelly's save settled matters.

Clad in new and improved kit, Gaeil Colmcille were backed in the first-half by the significant breeze blowing towards the town end.

Displaying considerable energy, Luke Dempsey's charges moved seven points clear twice in the opening 20 minutes.

The experienced Brian Hanlon led the scoring charges for the Kells-men with six points in the first-half. The highlight was one from a 55-metre free in the 30th minute.

Defensively, Gaeil Colmcille did well to deny Donaghmore-Ashbourne a couple of goals early on.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne were thrown a lifeline with Andrew Tormey's 19th minute goal. Darragh McGovern's run created the opening for the score that cut the gap to four points, 0-9 to 1-2.

Mick Deegan's men didn't make any further inroads on the deficit before half-time when it was 0-11 to 1-4.

Despite the backing of the breeze, Donaghmore-Ashbourne didn't get off the mark in the second-half until Tormey's 48th minute pointed free. A spirited rally almost saw them snatch somehing from this game.

Scorers: Gaeil Colmcille - Brian Hanlon 0-8 (4fs, 1 45); Seamus Mattimoe 0-3 (2fs); Martin Barrett 0-2 (1f); Barry Tormay 0-1.Oisin Reilly 0-1, Jonny Quigley 0-1.
Donaghamore-Ashbourne - Andrew Tormey 1-1 (0-1f); Kevin Fenton 1-1; Dylan Brady 0-1; Darragh McGovern 0-1;Bryan Menton 0-1, Sean Curran 0-1, Stephen Carton 0-1

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andy Colgan; Luke Barrett, Colin Lynch, Conor Carton; Evan Quinn, Sean Curran (c), Thomas McGovern; Kevin Cully, Bryan Menton; Shaun Byrne, Shane Melia, Kevin Fenton; Darragh McGovern, Andrew Tormey, Dylan Brady. Subs - Iarlatih O'Donnell for Lynch (26), Jack Hannigan for Colgan (ht), Leo Reilly for Byrne (46), Jamie Browne for Melia (51), Stephen Carton for Tormey (56).

Gaeil Colmcille - Barry Farrelly; Paul Tormay, Adam Donnelly, Jordan Muldoon; Barry Tormay, Jonny Quigley, James Reilly (c); Conal Courntey, Aaron Browne; Adam Muldoon, Oisin Reilly, Seanie Curran; Seamus Mattimoe, Martin Barrett, Brian Hanlon. Subs - Fionn Ferguson for B Tormay (48), Liam Ferguson for A Muldoon (55), Fionn Reilly for Mattimoe (55), Daniel Muldoon for Courtney (60), Ajay Tormey for O Reilly (64). 

Referee - Stephen Dawson (Carnaross)

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