Minor Hurling Final

Disappointment in Dunganny

Unfortunately this report is not being written with the same joy and excitement as the semi-final report. Our minor team came up against a strong Kildalkey side, on Thursday last in Dunganny, that they couldn’t overcome.
This time round it was the opposition who started off the stronger, and it was evident that Ashbourne had a battle on their hands. This didn’t worry the lads on the line, as we all knew that if there’s one thing a Donaghmore/Ashbourne team can do, it’s battle. So that they did, but even with the high workrate they found it hard to get into a rhythm and Kildalkey were finding it easier to get scores (and some very nice scores it must be said). When half time eventually came (after a few moments of madness, which saw referee Mick Ryan walk off due to an over-excited supporter on the sideline) Kildalkey were ahead by 2 points, 1-9 to 2-2.
There are some Ashbourne players who’s efforts on the night warrant mentioning. I’d like to mention them all, but I’ll limit myself in an effort to keep this report somewhat shorter than my last. Conor Miller again played superbly throughout the match, giving his all for every ball that came his way. He really has come on alot in the past few games, proving himself a vital part of the team. Himself and Colm Randle had a great awareness of each other in the full forward line, with Randle waiting for the breaks off Miller who flew up for every high ball. Another player that merits mentioning is Mitchell O Meara, who had an extremely tough job on the night marking Kildalkey’s #10 (‘Ducksie’). #10 was a smart, stylish hurler who played a great game, but he couldn’t move an inch without O Meara breathing down his neck all through the game.
Both teams went out flying in the second half, but Kildalkey’s hurling strength became even more evident as the half progressed. A second half in which they played extremely well and  pulled away from our lads. The match ended with a scoreline of 2-4 to 4-14.
The mood in the dressing room afterward was obviously low and being a player I knew that nothing said in a losing dressing room really registers in a players mind. So I’d like to take this opportunity to say well done to the boys on the team, because just making it to a championship final is something to be proud of. Unfortunately it didn’t end well this year but it was a fairly young team on the night with many of the team still eligible to play minor for another year or two. So the opportunity will definitely come around again if this bunch of lads stay together, and we’ll get our revenge on them Kildalkey boys next time we meet.
Also I’d like to say well done to Harry and Ken, who put in serious work for the team throughout the year. They have a few days break now before the 2009 championship starts, to rest their vocal chords (and they’ll be back to their best on the sideline for 2009).
Team on the night: Seán Kent, Danny McShane, Conor Walsh, Mitchell O Meara, Seán Markham, Bryan Menton(0-1), Cathal Field(1-1), Stephen Leahy, David Carey(1-1), Colm Randle(0-1), Conor Miller. Subs: Ross Gilsenan for Steven Leahy.