Division 5B League

Saturday 4th June 2011

Venue: Moylough

Full Time: Moylough 0-08 Donaghmore Ashbourne 5-12
Half Time: Moylough 0-06 Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-08

Donaghmore Ashbourne’s 4th team made the long trip to Moylough for round 4 of the Division 5B knowing a win would keep them in contention for league promotion. Despite the bank holiday weekend and the location of the venue we managed to field a strong side expecting the home side also to be out in force.
Although a division 5B clash, the standard of football was very high with both sides taking some great scores and playing some entertaining football particularly in the opening half.
It was nip and tuck in the opening quarter with the sides level on 4 occasions with the Donaghmore Ashbourne points coming from Stephen Condon, Ross Tormey, John Mc Leenon and Danny Clarke. The home side did take a 2 point in the second quarter but two points from Condon had brought the sides level again. At the opposite end our defence were tight and any ball over teh top was dealt with comfortably by Jack Hannigan in goals.
It took Donaghmore Ashbourne about 20 minutes to fully loosen up after the journey and when they did they finished strong in the opening half.  Ross Tormey found the net to give Donaghmore Ashbourne the lead with Mc Leenon extending the lead a minute later. Just before the break a Stephen Condon fisted attempt had beaten the keeper and looked goal bound only to hit the upright but Mc Leenon was on hand to tap the rebound into the open net from an acute angle. Terry Bruton finished the first half scoring with a point just before the interval.
The second half saw our lad’s fitness and ability levels come to the fore as we dominated from the throw in. Ross Tormey opened the second half scoring with a goal within minutes of the restart. Although the home side did reply with two consecutive points Condon extended the lead with a further 3 unanswered points towards the end of the third quarter.
Brian Fitzgerald finished off a great solo run when he fired high into the corner of the net. Substitute Michael Doherty also got his name on the score sheet late on with the final score of the game coming from Condon as he capped a fine performance with a well taken goal from close range.
The victory puts Donaghmore Ashbourne on top of the table with two games to go. Overall it was good team performance right from our keeper, through our defence, midfield and forwards who all played well.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: J. Hanigan; M. Mc Cabe, E. Caffery, F. O’Loingsigh; M. Gleeson, S. Smith, r. Healy; T. Bruton (0-1), D. Clarke (0-1);  B. Fitzgerald (1-0), R. Tormey (2-1), H. Devoy,; S. Condon (1-6), J. Mc Leenon (1-2), P. Williams
Subs: C. Maguire for Williams, M. Doherty (0-1) for Mc Leenon.