Donaghmore Ashbourne welcomed neighbours Kilbride to the opening Feis cup game with a guard of honour to mark their Intermediate success and return to the senior ranks for the first time since 1978. 

In summary with both sides missing a number of players the hosts strong first half performance was enough to see them take the victory although the visitors had the better of the second period.  It was a typical first game of the season with both sides a little rusty, but they provided much needed live entertaining football for all who were in attendance. 

Despite the terrible weather credit goes to the Donaghmore Ashbourne grounds team for having the pitch in great condition for the game.

The visitors opened the scoring with a point on 2 minutes before Mathew Crumlsh replied on 5 minutes.  The visitors regained the lead with another point on 7 minutes.  The home side took the leadon 8 minutes when Zach Thornton unlocked the Kilbride defence with a hand pass to Michael O’Sullivan who slotted low to the corner of the next. Michael Deegan extended the Moore’s lead with a point on 11 minutes, and Kilbride responded a minute later with the first orange flag of the game with a well taken 2-pointer. 

The home side then hit a purple patch with Jack Doran scoring a great individual goal on 13 minutes and this was followed by a point by Andrew Thormey and two orange flags from Zack Thornton free and a well taken score from Thomas Mc Govern. Kildbride’s final score came on 19 minutes, and they did have a goal chance on 21 minutes by Shayne Brady was quick off his line to pull off a good save. The hosts closed out the half with points from Michael O’Sullivan, Tormey and a free from Thornton.

Scór Leath-Ama:  Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-10 v 0-05 Kilbride

The second period opened with a quick point from Kilbride, but this was cancelled with a Tormey point at the opposite end a minute later. Donaghmore Ashbourne hit a number of wides before Michael O’Sullivan pointed on 39 minutes.  The sides traded points again with Kilbride raising the white flag on 41 minutes before Jamie Browne pointed a minute later. 

As both sides made a number of changes throughout the half the final quarter went from end to end.  It was the visitors who had the better of this period as they hit three single points and two 2-pointers and could have scored more as they also registered 4 wides but the home side only managed points from Michael and James O’Sullivan. 

Overall, it was an entertaining game and was helped by referee David Gough who as usual was well in control throughout.

Scór Lán-Ama: Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-15 v 0-13 Kilbride

Donaghmore Ashbourne: S Brady, L Barrett, J. Redmond, O. Daly, J. Doran (1-0), T. Mc Govern (2P), M. Crumlish (0-1), J.Browne (0-1), E. O’Kane, D. O’Sullivan, D. Mc Govern, Z.Thornton (2P) (0-1), M. O’Sullivan (1-03), A. Torney (0-3) , M.Deegan (0-1), 

Subs - J. O’Sullivan (0-1) for M. Crumlish, E. Ryan for S. Brady, D Martyn for T. Mc Govern, K. Fenton for Z. Thornton, D. Gleeson for J. Doran, C. Cox for Deegan, P. Moran for A. Tormey