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Junior D Championship Semi-Final

September 24th, Donore
Fulltime: Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3-16 Gaeil Colmcille 0-6
Halftime: Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-8 Gaeil Colmcille 0-2

Having fallen at the semi-final stage for the past two years Donaghmore/Ashbourne advanced to the Junior D Championship final with this flattering result against Gaeil Colmcille. The game was closely contested until the final quarter with some quality Donaghmore/Ashbourne substitutions making a decisive difference to the final score line.

The game struggled to find a pattern in the opening minutes as both teams battled intensely. Sean Smith opened the scoring with a point on 4 minutes and this appeared to settle the Ashbourne side. They began asserting control at midfield but the Kells defence were marshalling the threat of Timmy O'Regan and Cathal Regan effectively. Gaeil Colmcille were making piercing breaks forward but unable to convert to scores thanks largely to some fine defending from Paul Finglas and Rossa O'Donnell. Cathal Regan did find space and added two scores shortly after. Brian Fitzgerald was seeing more possession and he too opened his account with a point. O'Regan, Mulvey and Fitzgerald added further points before Gaeil Colmcille pointed their opening score on 23 minutes. It was little more than they deserved as possession was well balanced between both sides. A pointed free for Kells took the deficit back to five points and should have been reduced further following a mixup in the Ashbourne defence. A breaking ball fell between Sean Kent and the fullback line and with an open goal at his mercy a Gaeil Colmcille forward shot wide.  Donaghmore/Ashbourne had been let off the hook and they raced the ball forward to Timmy O'Regan who scored just before the break.

The second period saw the Gaeil Colmcille effort raised. They pointed twice inside the opening 3 minutes. A goal attempt by their full forward screamed wide as the Donaghmore/Ashbourne defences were subjected to immense pressure. The east Meath side once again gained control at the middle and supply forward followed spritely. Cathal Regan, Timmy O'Regan (2) and Declan Mulvey were on target as they Kells threat was kept at bay. The complexion of the game changed on 40 minutes with the introduction of Aonghus O'Maoilmhichil. His attacking nature landed him in front of goal and following a fine save from the Kells netminder, O'Maoilmhichil fisted to the net.

This was the turning point of the game as the momentum was now firmly with the east Meath side. Leon Tormey was contesting well at the middle while Aonghus O'Maoilmhichil was racing forward at will. O'Maoilmhichil set up Brian Fitzgerald for a fine score on 46 minutes. Timmy O'Regan was tiring but he was the anchor for many attacks. He pointed on 59 minutes before setting up substitute Fionnan O'Maoilmhichil to rifle to the net. The pace of the Ashbourne substitutes was ripping the Gaeil Colmcille defence apart. Vinny Carton pointed in the closing stages. The Kells side had reverted to goal attempts but the Ashbourne defence were showing no mercy. Fine blocks from Paul Finglas and Eoin Caffrey kept the net idle with Sean Keenan robust in the halfback line. As the game entered injury time Shane Rock got on the end of a goalmouth scramble to finish to the net. Aonghus O'Maoilmhichil finished the scoring for the night with a fine point.

While the scoreline was flattering to the victors Donaghmore/Ashbourne will be satisfied with the manner in which their opponents were put away right to the end. The quality released off the bench epitomises the depths of talent at the club as they go to battle for Junior D silverware.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne; Sean Kent; Paul Finglas, Eoin Caffrey, Niall Moran; Rossa O' Donnell, Sean Keenan, Mark Mulvey; Leon Tormey, Sean Smith; Brian Fitzgerald, Declan Mulvey, Shane Rock; Cathal Regan, Timmy O'Regan, Conor Carey.
Subs; Aonghus O'Maoilmhichil for Mark Mulvey (40 mins), Fionnan O'Maoilmhichil for Declan Mulvey (57 mins), Vinny Carton for Brian Fitzgerald (58 mins), Daryl Lawlor for Timmy O'Regan (59 mins).
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 September 2009 14:54 )