B League Div 3 2011
Donaghmore Ashbourne v Syddan  in Ashbourne. 29th May. Referee: Patrick Coyle
Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-13 Syddan 1-7

In the end Donaghmore Ashbourne got what they wanted from this game, but it was very far from plain sailing. Playing against the strong wind in the first half, Donaghmore Ashbourne seemed to have things very much in their favour when the sides went to the half time break level at 0-5 apiece. Things seemed to be going well for Donaghmore Ashbourne in the second period when in the space of five minutes Syddan scored 1-2 from play to bring them back level. Fortunately for Donaghmore Ashbourne this served as a wake-up call and they went on to score three points that saw them emerge victorious.

Syddan were first out of the blocks with an early point from play which was swiftly negated by a well-taken score from Cormac Fagan as he cleverly flicked the ball from the ground over the bar. A converted free and an excellent point from play saw Syddan open a two point gap but points from Donaghmore Ashbourne levelled the tie once again. The first was a solo effort from Brian Fitzgerald and the second a well-worked team score as Evan Rogers found Fitzgerald who in turn found Robert O’Connor on the twenty. He duly converted his opportunity. Further scores for Donaghmore Ashbourne came from a free by Rogers and a point from play by Stephen Condon, despite his non-regulation red football socks. A somewhat harsh free against Paddy Warren for over-carrying helped Syddan reduce the deficit. At this stage Ciaran Byrne was relieved of his goalkeeping duties, as Jack Hannigan arrived. Syddan levelled things up with a point from play in the last action of the half.

Donaghmore Ashbourne started the second half in determined mood. Before five minutes had elapsed Rogers converted another free, Condon added to his tally with a fisted point and Breffni Conaty stretched the lead with a well taken point. Ciaran Byrne was reintroduced to play outfield this time as a blood substitute for Fagan and Sean Benville came on for Fitzgerald. Showing experience that belied his youthful appearance Flipper quickly passed a forty five to Rogers who took an excellent score from thirty five meters out. This score was the cue for further substitutions from Donaghmore Ashbourne. Ross Tormey came on for Condon and Danny Clarke, who had worked extremely hard in the centre, was replaced by Terry Bruton who sported dazzlingly white non-regulation football socks. (Lads do you not know there’s a clearance sale in the club shop?) Tormey quickly made his presence felt with a point from play to put Donaghmore Ashbourne into a seemingly comfortable five point lead. Michael Mc Cabe was brought on for Sean Breslin as Donaghmore Ashbourne’s final substitution. Then followed Syddan’s golden period. A pointed free was followed by a superb solo goal as a Syddan forward cut in from the right and fired an unstoppable shot to the net with the outside of his right boot. A further point saw Syddan back on level terms with just seven minutes remaining. Conor Carey relieved some of the pressure on Donaghmore Ashbourne with an important point and Conaty added to his tally with his second from play. Just on full time Bruton drove a forty five solidly over the bar to ensure a Donaghmore Ashbourne victory.

With just one defeat, on that fateful day in Castletown, Donaghmore Ashbourne are well on their way to securing a place in the knock-out stages of this League. Keep up the good work lads.

Team line up: Ciaran Byrne; Sean Breslin, Fionnán Ó Maoilmhichíl, Rob Healy; Robert O'Connor(0-1), Paddy Warren, Mikey Gleeson; Conor Carey(0-1), Danny Clarke; Cian Maguire, Brian Fitzgerald(0-1), Evan Rogers(0-3); Cormac Fagan(0-1), Stephen Condon(0-2), Breffni Conaty(0-2).

Subs:Jack Hannigan for Byrne, Sean Benville for Fitzgerald, Byrne for Fagan (Blood Sub), Ross Tormey(0-1) for Condon, Terry Bruton(0-1) for Clarke, Michael Mc Cabe for Breslin.