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Written by DonAsh PRO   
Junior D Championship Quarter Final

Date: 8th September 2009
Venue: Donore

Full Time: Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-17 Sensechalstown 3-04
Half Time: Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-09 Sensechalstown 0-03

Donaghmore Ashbourne’s third team reached the Junior D semi final for the third successive year after a rollercoaster of a game against Seneschalstown in Donore on Tuesday night. If you were to compare this game to a race the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare” would be the most suitable comparison, with the exception that in this game Donaghmore Ashbourne just woke up in time. In summary it was a game that Donaghmore Ashbourne were in control of almost throughout the game but to their credit (and as expected from any senior club) Seneschalstown continued to work and with a number of goals in quick succession almost caught Donaghmore Ashbourne on the line.

Donaghmore Ashbourne started off the brightest and controlling midfield Timmy O’Regan opened the scoring in the 1st minute. Donaghmore Ashbourne had a number of other chances in the following minutes but failed to extend their lead while at the other end of the pitch Sensechalstown drew level with a free in the 4th minute.
With the Donaghmore Ashbourne forward line and midfield on top Cathal Regan regained the lead on 8 minutes and the lead was extended by Timmy O’Regan on 10 minutes when he pointed a free from 25 meters out. With the possession they had Donaghmore Ashbourne should have been further ahead at the end of the first quarter but with Seneschalstown reducing the deficit to a single point with another free on 12 minutes there was only the minimum between the teams at the quarter stage mark.

The second quarter saw Donaghmore Ashbourne make better use of their possession and during this purple patch they managed to register a comfortable lead by the end of the half. Cathal Regan pointed on 17 minutes after good interpassing play and further points from Timmy O’Regan on 18 and 19 minutes extended the lead, the latter score was a goal attempt that just went over the bar.
A Vinny Carton point on 22 minutes was the only first half score outside the Regan, O’Regan dominance on the Donaghmore Ashbourne scoreboard. Although Sensechalstown’s first score from play came in the 25 minute Donaghmore Ashbourne did finish with two late frees from (as you guessed it) Cathal Regan and Timmy O’Regan.

Although Donaghmore Ashbourne had a comfortable lead at the break they expected that Seneschalstown would not go down without a battle and were conscious of their playoff victory where they managed a couple of late goals to grab a victory.
Donaghmore started the second half well and tried to close out the game with some early scores. Within three minutes of the restart points from Timmy O’Regan, Brian Fitzgerald and Aonghus Mulvihill had put 9 points between the teams. With O’Regan pointing on 36 minutes and Seneschalstown replying with a point from a free on 37 minutes Donaghmore Ashbourne should have gone into the final quarter with a greater lead was it not for some poor shooting in the closing stages of the third quarter.
Seneschalstown revival did arrive early in the final quarter and they hit Donaghmore Ashbourne with two quick goals early in this period to reduce the deficit to 3 points.

With Seneschalstown beginning to get back into the game, Donaghmore Ashbourne made a couple of positional and personnel changes to quench the revival and with a Fitzgerald pointed on 50 minutes it looked as if Donaghmore Ashbourne had weathered the storm.
Again their management and supporters had another fright when, for the third time in the quarter, a poor pass was blocked down and Donaghmore Ashbourne were caught on the wrong foot. Like the previous two goals the full back line was exposed and debutant keeper Sean Kent was left on his own as Seneschalstown fired to the roof of the net.
Donaghmore Ashbourne did manage to hold out and finished the stronger with three unanswered points in the closing stages. Cathal Regan capped a fine performance with a point on 53 minutes. Conor Carey was rewarded for his hard work throughout the evening with a point on 54 minutes and Leon Tormey ensured a place in the semi final with a point in injury time.

Donaghmore Ashbourne played some good football and showed the value of having a number of experienced players in the side. Registering 17 scores in any game let alone Junior D standard is a good evening’s work for any team and a positive point to work on. Before the game they would have taken a one point victory but considering that they had a comfortable going into the final quarter and were pulled back to a point is something that they will have to examine and work on if there are to progress to the final of the competition.
Overall all it was mission accomplished and a result achieved.


Donaghmore Ashbourne: S .Kent; P. Finglas, E. Caffery, N. Moran; R. O’Donnell, S. Kennan, A. Mulvihill(0-1); S. Smith, L. Tormey(0-1); B. Fitzgerald(0-2), D. Mulvey, V. Carton(-01), C. Carey(0-1), T. O’Regan(0-7), C. Regan(0-4).

Subs: S. Rock for Mulvey, P. Mc Cabe for Carton, D. Lawlor for O’Donnell.

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