Division 2 Hurling League

Saturday 22nd May 2010

Venue: Ashbourne

Full Time: Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-13 Ratoath 2-11
Half Time: Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-05 Ratoath 2-06

Although missing a number of regular staring players Donaghmore Ashbourne fielded a team of hardworking and honest players to worked extremely hard to grind out a great result against neighbours Ratoath in this league encounter played in Ashbourne.
Knowing that they to be at their best to compete with Ratoath Donaghmore Ashbourne started strong and were 3 points to the good after eight minutes with points from Graham Byrne, David Carey and Conor Walsh.
Ratoath’s opening score came from a free on 9 minutes and they took the lead on 12 minutes when a close in free although initially blocked was forced into the back of the net. Byrne who gave one of his best performances since his move to Donaghmore Ashbourne pointed on 14 minutes to draw the sides level.
The second quarter saw the visitors get the upper hand and during this period they managed 1-03 without reply to look comfortable heading to the interval.
However Byrne kept Donaghmore Ashbourne in the game with a goal on 29 minutes. The sides traded pointed in injury time with Colin Garry pointing for Donaghmore Ashbourne in between two points for the visitors.
With all to play for the second half was a tough encounter and at times threatened to get out of control.
Ratoath opened the scoring with a free on 34 minutes with Byrne replying for the home side. The sides traded points again with Ratoath’s point again coming from a free with Carey replying with a long range free for Donaghmore Ashbourne on 38 minutes. For the third time in this quarter the teams traded points with Adrian Mc Manus replying to a third Ratoath free.
Heading into the final quarter the turning point in the game came when David Carey fired a close range free into the back of the net to leave a point between the sides on 47 minutes. This score lifted the home side and when Carey pointed form a free a minute later the sides were level. The lead changed hands on 49 minutes with an Carey long range free and Byrne increased the lead with points on 50 and 53 minutes.
Going the closing minutes of the game Ratoath reduced the deficit to a single point with points on 54 and 56 minutes. With both sides looking for the winner the final say went to the home side when Colin Garry worked hard in midfield to regain possession and find his partner Stephen Meagher who fired over from long range.
Ratoath did have one final chance in injury time but Colm Doherty was equal to the strike to save and break through the forwards to clear.
Credit must go to the new younger lads who stepped up to the mark together with some of the older lads who had to play in unfamiliar positions in the name of the team as they deserved this victory for hard works and determination alone. The result keeps them in a great position in the Division 2 league.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: C. Doherty; D. Green, F. Mulvihill, S. Kent;A.Mc Manus, B.Murphy, P.Durkan; C.Garry(0-1), S.Meagher(0-1); C.Walsh(0-1), D.Carey(1-4), E.Butler; B.Whelan, G. Byrne(1-5), S.Robinson.

Subs: C. Randle for Whelan.