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Written by DonAsh PRO   
Senior Championship Round 4
Sunday 13th September 2009

Venue: Ratoath

Full Time: Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-07 Sensechalstown 1-06
Half Time: Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-06 Sensechalstown 1-01

Having lost the first three games of the championship Donaghmore Ashbourne travelled to Ratoath knowing that they needed to get a victory against former county champions Sensechalstown to avoid a potential relegation battle. Having performed well in recent league and challenge games and with a number of key players back from injury confidence was high going into the game.

Playing against a seasoned senior championship side like it was essential that Donaghmore Ashbourne got off to a good start but this plan went out the window in the 2nd minute when Sensechalstown were awarded a penalty on their second attack and the resulting kick gave Sensechalstown an early 3 point lead.

Donaghmore Ashbourne to their credit did mange to regroup and Eoin Riordan opened their account on 5 minutes with a 30 meter free after Andrew Tormey was fouled. Donaghmore Ashbourne’s opening score from play came on 12 minutes when Ciaran Ellis slotted over from 30 meters after a good pass from Niall Farrell. By the end of the quarter the sides were level when Riordan pointed from another free after Sean Harmon was fouled.

The second quarter of the game was played with an equally fast and hard pace and both sides played well. The difference between the teams during this period was Donaghmore Ashbourne’s ability to register scores. The Moors had taken the lead for the first time on 17 minutes when Andrew Tormey fielded a high ball in the large square and fed the supporting Eoin Reilly who popped the bar over the bar from 20 meters out. Andrew Tormey extended the lead on 21 minutes with a long range free while at the other end of the pitch Sensechalstown had a goal attempt hit the post and go wide.

The sides traded points on 23 minutes with the Sensechalstown score coming from a long range free and Eoin Riordan replying with a 30 meter point after a good solo run through the defence. Both sides also had a number of wides in this period. It looked as if despite all the possession and hard work that the sides were heading to the break with the minimum between them but when a long range line ball into the square fell to Eoin Riordan he was first to react to fire to the back of the net to leave a 1-06 to 1-01 half time score.

With Sensechalstown being able to regroup at the break it was essential for Donaghmore Ashbourne to get a strong start and while they had two early attempts both efforts fell short into the keeper’s hands. Sensechalstown did open the second half scoring with a point on 32 minutes from play and with added a further two score on 37 and 38 minutes from frees.

Donaghmore Ashbourne missed another two wides late in the third quarter but did manage to get their first (and only score) of the second half when Riordan pointed over from 30 meters on 46 minutes. Going into the final stages of the match, the game was on a knife edge with Sensechalstown pushing for the win and Donaghmore Ashbourne trying to hold on to their lead. During the opening period of the final quarter Sensechalstown hit 5 consecutive wides. In addition Brian Sheridan did manage to break through the Donaghmore Ashbourne defence on 50 minutes but goal keeper Danny Mc Shane pulled off a great save when he go down low on the shot.

Although Sensechalstown did manage points on 52 minutes and 54 minutes Donaghmore Ashbourne who had a couple of wides late on did manage to hold out for their first win in the campaign.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: Danny Mc Shane; Martin Lynch, Cormac Mc Gill,, Sean Curran; Ciaran Ellis (0-1), Tadg Kelly, Joe Finnegan; Rory O’Connor, Bryan Menton; Eoin Riordan (1-4) (2f), Niall Farrell, Sean Harmon, Eoin Reilly (0-1), Andrew Tormey (0-1), Rory Maguire.

Subs: John Broderick for Sean Harmon, Colm O’Mealoid for Finnegan.
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