đ Tuairisc Cluiche (Match Report)
For the second year running, Donaghmore/Ashbourneâs adult hurlers have secured a spot in the Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final after a thrilling extra-time win over Boardsmill in PĂĄĂrc Tailteann on Saturday.
Playing with a strong wind at their backs, the Moors had a slow start and were punished for it, with Danny Dixon pointing for the Mill to follow on from an early goal for Stevie Gibbons, pulling first time after Ben Mather had blocked Dixonâs original effort.
Davin Jones and SeĂĄn OâSullivan got our lads off the mark but Boardsmill raised a second green flag with just ten minutes gone â this time Niall Weir managing to nab a long ball in, turn and fire past Mather.
However, they were reduced to 14 players after an off-the-ball strike across the legs of Luke Andrews.
Mather struck over a 65 and Michael OâSullivan pointed from another dead ball to close the gap to two.
Another from SeĂĄn OâSullivan cancelled out a Boardsmill 65 before Michael OâSullivan got the next three scores, two more from frees to leave one point between the sides at half time.
Half Time:
Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéaglåin 0-08
Bord an Mhuilinn 2-03
Much like the first half, Boardsmill started stronger with two from Dixon and a Luke Gallagher free extending the gap to four.
However, another two efforts from the younger OâSullivan were sandwiched around a Sam Benville strike before Don/Ash got their first goal.
A Jones sideline fell the way of Shaun Byrne â who managed to get the ball to CĂłlm Ă MĂ©alĂłid. He handpassed it to Michael OâSullivan, who burst free and blasted off his left to the net.
Dixon responded immediately with a point but Michael OâSullivan hit back.
Boardsmill would hit the next two to level before sub David Careyâs 65 gave the Moors the lead again with three to play, but an injury time strike from Cian Royston sent the game to extra time.
Full Time:
Domhnach MĂłr Cill DhĂ©aglĂĄĂn 1-13
Bord an Mhuilinn 2-10
Boardsmill won the coin toss and opted to play with the wind in the first period and two points from Luke Gallagher made that look like a good decision.
Back came the Moors again though, with Andy Tormey finding OisĂn Daly in space with a brilliant pass.
Dalyâs touch on the run was even better to gather the ball and his effort squirmed past the Boardsmill keeper for Don/Ashâs second goal.
To their credit, the Mill didnât flinch, going up the other end to grab a third goal themselves, with Luke Darby tapping to an empty net after a combination of Mather and two other Don/Ash defenders having blocked an initial shot from Weir. Weir would intercept a puckout to give his side a four point lead halfway though extra time.
Half Time in ET:
Domhnach MĂłr Cill DhĂ©aglĂĄĂn 2-13
Bord an Mhuilinn 3-14
With that lead to protect, Boardsmill started to sit back to start the second period, allowing Michael OâSullivan and Carey to fire over two points.
The gap was still at two as the clock hit 80 â but the Don/Ash workrate led to the biggest moment of the entire game.
OâSullivan and Carey managed to secure possession on the left wing, with the latter delivering a ball to the edge of the square where player-manager Ă MĂ©alĂłid had been moved.
Despite having a man on his back, Ă MĂ©alĂłid managed to gather the ball, turn both the full back and the goalkeeper and kick to the net to move the Moors into a one-point lead.
Boardsmill would have one more attack but having held them to no scores in the second period up to that point, the Don/Ash defence cleared again, allowing Carey the time and space to hit over another point to seal the two point victory.
The Moors now head into an IHC semi final for the second straight year, going head to head with Drumree on Sunday week, September 29 at 1pm in PĂĄirc Tailteann.
Full Time AET:
Domhnach MĂłr Cill DhĂ©aglĂĄĂn 3-16
Bord an Mhuilinn 3-16
Team: Ben Mather (0-1 65â); Daragh Walsh, FionnĂĄn Hogan, Cian Field; Dylan Morrissey, Sam Benville (0-1); FaolĂĄn Smyth; OisĂn Daly (1-0), Shaun Byrne; Colm Ă MĂ©alĂłid (1-0), Luke Andrews, Andy Tormey; Davin Jones (0-1), SĂ©an OâSullivan (0-2), Michael OâSullivan (1-8, 3f)
Subs used: Rhys Thomas, Tom Ryan, Killian Hogan, Evan OâKane, David Carey (0-3, 1f, 1 65)