Seamus Connolly Catering Football A League Division 1A, Venue: Ashbourne, (Round 1), Donaghmore/Ashbourne V Dunshaughlin GAA 20:00, Ref: Patrick Coyle
H/T Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-5 Dunshaughlin 0-7
F/T Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-11 Dunshaughlin 1-10
It was a cagey affair for almost 10 minutes of this first round A League match in Ashbourne on a perfect night for football. Dunshaughlin were first to open the scoring with a point from a free. Donaghmore/Ashbourne had plenty of ball in that period but couldn’t seem to get any reward from some very good play but ultimately excellent defending from Dunshaughlin. We were guilty of a couple of wayward shots. Both sides were missing key players but at this time of the year we have plenty of eager younger players who want to play football and prove that they are well able for senior football. Jamie Browne put over his first point of the night from play after a good pass from Shaun Byrne. Dunshaughlin went 3pts to 1pt up with a point from a free on 13 minutes followed by another point from play with 15minutes gone. It took a while for Don/Ash to get into this match with wrong options taken from kicking high ball into a very small full forward line or giving bad passes in key positions but they did have 3 matches in the last 7 days so possibly the loss in the Feis Cup on Tuesday night took a lot out of these young players who were never used to losing but this is all part of the learning curve of senior football. James Crumlish stopped the rot with a point from play after 18 minutes and Jamie Browne followed up with a point from a free a couple of minutes later. Dunshaughlin took over and scored another 2 points from play without reply to go 5pts to 3pts up with 25 minutes on the clock. Luke Barrett was introduced for Aaron McLoughlin. Kevin Cully fielded a great ball which was passed to Jamie Browne who was fouled when in a position of causing problems for the visitors. He converted the free to make it 3 points for him on the night. Dunshaughlin replied from another free and put over a point from play on 28 minutes. Dylan Brady converted a free from his trusty left foot just before the half time whistle. It may have been a lot worse for Don/Ash but for the timely interception of Evan Quinn who stopped Dunshaughlin driving forward for a certain one for one with the goalkeeper. Andy Colgan was back after a long term injury and was finding his men with the kickouts but the breakdown happened in the forwards with sloppy passing in crucial areas. The half finished with Dunshaughlin ahead 7pts to 5pts.
The second half started with wides from both teams and the first score coming from a free from Dunshaughlin after 6 minutes. Andrew Tormey was introduced at half time for Michael O’Sullivan and got involved very quickly when passing to Kevin Cully to put over the bar. Zach Thornton came on for James Crumlish on 38 minutes. Leo Reilly put the minimum between the teams after fine play from Evan Quinn. James Redmond was making an impact with good runs and sending ball into the right area. Dunshaughlin hit back very quickly with a superb run from their no 7 who put the ball in the back of the net to get an important score to put daylight between the teams. Dylan Brady wasn’t intimidated and put a fine point over the bar from play. Andrew Tormey got the next 2 points from play and Don/Ash were back in the match when Zach Thornton scored the leveller on 50 minutes. It was all to play for and neither team wanted to loose the first match in the league. Dunshaughlin finished the best with a point from play and finally a point from a free to leave them 2 points up. Don/Ash battled to the end and never gave up but they just couldn’t get the required scores to win this one. Luke Barrett and young Aidan Mackey played some good football and Josh Lancaster made some good runs but the strength of the Dunshaughlin backs held him scoreless on the night. There will be better days ahead for these young lads. Bryan Menton who played 3 matches in 7 days is heading off tonight to run the Rock & Road Half Marathon in Kinvara at 10am tomorrow morning.
Don/Ash:- Andy Colgan, James Redmond, Evan Quinn, Oisin Daly, Aidan Mackey, Shaun Byrne, Aaron McLoughlin, Kevin Cully (0-1), Bryan Menton, James Crumlish (0-1), Jamie Browne (0-3 2f), Leo Reilly (0-1), Michael O'Sullivan, Dylan Brady (0-2), Josh Lancaster.
Subs:- Luke Barrett for Aaron McLoughlin (24m), Andrew Tormey (0-2) for Michael O'Sullivan (h/t), Zach Thornton (0-1) for James Crumlish (50m)
Please support our main sponsor McCarney Financial Services Ltd
