Division 1A League

Sunday 14th February 2010

Venue: Dunshaughlin
Full Time: Dunshaughlin 0-07 Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-12
Half Time: Dunshaughlin 0-03 Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-05

Donaghmore Ashbourne opened their 2010 season with a well deserved opening round away win over Dunshaughlin on Sunday. Although the first half was a tight scrappy affair the visitors took control on the second half to run out comfortable winners to record their first victory over the Dunshaughlin in years.
The home side started the brightest and had the better of the opening minutes but hit two consecutive wides before opening the scoring with a point on 7 mins after they were first to react to a mishit 45. Donaghmore Ashbourne first chance of the game from the resulting kick out saw Rory Maguire’s shot hit the side netting from close range. Donaghmore Ashbourne had three further attempts in consecutive minutes before Andrew Tormey brought the sides level with a free on 12 minutes.
The sides traded points at the end of the first quarter with Sean Harmon bring the sides level for the second time when he pointed from an acute angle. Donaghmore Ashbourne took the lead for the first time on 19 minutes when Eoighan Riordan pointed from long range after some good possession play. A second Sean Harmon point on 20 minutes, again after some good possession play extended Donaghmore Ashbourne’s lead. Donaghmore Ashbourne had a chance to put daylight between the teams on 21 minutes when David Morgan found himself one on one with Ronan Grogan but the Dunshaughlin keeper was quick of his line to smother the shot. Although Andrew Tormey pointed on 27 minutes from another free the home side responded with a point on 28 minutes to leave the score line at the break Dunshaughlin 0-03 Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-05.
The second half started similar to the first period with the home side getting the opening score from a free on 35minutes. Donaghmore Ashbourne had another goal chance at the opposite end on 38 minutes but they hit the crossbar and the home side recovered. The sides were level for the third time when Dunshaughlin pointed from close range on 40 minutes.
In recent encounters it would have been the home side that would have pushed on from this point to earn a victory but Donaghmore Ashbourne showed a little more composure on this occasion. Andrew Tormey pointed from 14 meters on 43 minutes after David Morgan was fouled and Bryan Menton extended the lead after a good run through the home defence to point from 30 meters.
Although Dunshaughlin did reduce the deficit with a free on 48 minutes Donaghmore Ashbourne closed out the game with a strong finish in the final quarter. David Morgan points from an acute angle on 49 minutes with Andrew Tormey pointing from a free on 50 minutes after Bryan Menton was brought down.  Tadg Kelly finished off a good team move on 55 minutes when a number of passes found him  in space and he slotted over from  30 meters out.
The home side’s final score came on 57 minutes while Donaghmore Closed out the game with a Niall Farrell point on 59 minutes and a Tony Morgan goal attempt pushed over the bar in injury time.
Overall it was a good team performance from Donaghmore Ashbourne with many players winning their individual battles.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: D. Mc Shane; M. Roche, C. Mc Gill, S. Curran; T. Kelly(0-1), C. O’Mealoid, J. Finnegan; B. Menton(0-1), R. O’Connor; E. Riordan(0-1), S. Harmon(0-2), A. Tormey(0-4)(4f); D. Morgan(0-1), N. Farrell(0-1), R. Maguire.
Subs: E. Callaghan for Farrell (24 min) (inj), T. Morgan (0-1)for Maguire (55 mins)