Donaghmore Ashbourne 4-02 Geraldines (Co Louth) 2-01 Donaghmore Ashbourne's minor team capped off a great 2008 season when they claimed the Leinster Minor Club Tournament title with a double scores win over Geraldines. Colm Menton and Gerry Delaney's men gave a great second half performance to see off Louth Champions Geraldines in the final hosted by the Eire Og club in Carlow. Despite very difficult windy conditions both sides gave a very entertaining and sporty display in a classic game of two halves. Donaghmore Ashbourne won the toss and opted to play against the wind in the first period and with corner forward Gavin Kennedy dropping into defence it was obvious their aim was to limit the scoring chances of the Louth Champions. Geraldines opened the scoring in the second minute when Jim Mc Eneaney collected a quick 45 and pointed from 25 meters out. The Louth side continued to press but with Donaghmore Ashbourne's defence hunting in packs they found it difficult to carve any clear scoring opportunities and only managed two long range wides in the remainder of the first quarter. Going into the second quarter only a point behind, Donaghmore Ashbourne looked comfortable as they retained possession by hand passing the ball about. Unfortunately they lost possession in the middle of the field and Geraldines launched a quick counter attack that finished with Conall Hoey firing to the back of Danny Mc Shane's net on 16 minutes. The Louth side could have extended the lead three minutes later but a Barry Hamilton drive came back off the post. Minutes later Geraldines looked to be through again but Daryl Lawlor blocked the goal bound effort at the edge of the square. Both sides traded wides at the end of the half with Cathal Field and Stephen Kavanagh missing the target for Donaghmore Ashbourne. Going into the second half only 4 points behind and with a strong wind at their backs Donaghmore Ashbourne were first out on the pitch for the restart as they could sense that victory was possible. However Eamonn Mc Eneaney's men, who had only lost one game in the last four years, were not going to make it easy. They attacked the Donaghmore Ashbourne goal from the throw in and within a minute they had extended their lead when Christopher Dalton fired high into the net past Mc Shane. Andrew Tormey who led from the front hit two long range efforts wide before Donaghmore Ashbourne opened their account. With the ball bouncing around the square it fell to Shane Rock and his first time strike shook the back of the net on 34 minutes. Donaghmore Ashbourne registered another couple of wides late in the third quarter before substitute Ross Hanway got possession at the edge of the square following great work by Bryan Menton. Hanway, one on one with the keeper fired low into the net to leave a point between the teams. From the resulting kick out Donaghmore Ashbourne gained possession and Andrew Tormey made up for the earlier wides by bringing the sides level with a 20 meter effort that split the posts. Donaghmore Ashbourne took the lead on 47 minutes when Tormey extended his tally with a superb point from all of 55 meters out. For the following 10 minutes both sides battled well to get the upper hand and it was Geraldines who had three consecutive chances to change the game. They missed a chance to draw level on 50 minutes when a 14 meter free was sent wide and two minutes later they hit the post for a second time when a goal looked on. Their third opportunity to draw level came on 53 minutes when another 20 meter free against the wind tailed wide. With Geraldines chasing the equaliser they left a couple of gaps in the defence and a long ball into Bryan Menton, who had moved to the edge of the square gave him an opportunity to extend the lead. As he raced towards goal he coolly slotted the ball low under Ross Quigley's body to give Donaghmore Ashbourne a 4 point lead. The result was sealed a minute later when Shane Rock got his second goal of the afternoon after Donaghmore Ashbourne dispossessed Geraldines in defence. Although the two late goals sealed the victory there was very little between these teams and on another day the result could have been different. On a positive note it was great to see Ian Kavanagh and Cian Maguire make an appearance in the final minutes for Donaghmore Ashbourne as both lads suffered serious injuries earlier in the year. Overall it was a great team performance. Captain Andrew Tormey accepted the Ger Hosey Cup on behalf of the team as Donaghmore Ashbourne became the first Meath winners of the competition which started in 2003. Donaghmore Ashbourne: D. Mc Shane; D. Lawlor, S. Curran, R. O'Connor; M. Devine, J.P. Casserly, D. Carey; A. Tormey(0-2), B. Menton(1-0); P. Gilligan, C. Field, G. Naughton; S. Rock(2-0), S. Kavanagh, G. Kennedy. Subs: R. Hanway (1-0) for Gilligan, I. Kavanagh for Carey, C. Maguire for Naughton Geraldines: R. Quigley; M. Mc Kevitt, S. Watters, T. Hand; P. Hoey, J. Craven, K. Pepper; M. Rogers, T. Cotter; S. Reidy, J. McEneaney (0-1), C. Hoey; C. Dalton (1-0), S.O Hanlon, B. Hamilton(1-0). Subs: J. Breen for Reidy, R. Murphy for Watters Tweet

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