St. Colmcilles 5-13 Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-12

On a windy but dry afternoon the delayed first round Junior B Championship match between St Colmcilles and Donaghmore/Ashbourne took place in the well set up Dunshaughlin venue. The game produced over thirty scores in the hour and provided some good teamwork from both sides.

Don/Ash played with the wind at their backs for the first half and opened the scoring. The Cilles responded with a brace of points from the elders of the team, Gary McCloskey and John McKenna. However, Don/Ash responded well and went ahead with two points. In a see-saw first half the lead changed hands on numerous occasions. The teams exchanged points with the Cilles scores coming from Eanna Walsh, Lee Browne, who was growing into his midfield role, and Eoin O'Neill that left the scores level at 5 each. At that point Donal Meagher scored a trademark goal which was followed by another Gary McCloskey point. Don/Ash responded well and went ahead with a run of five points to put them one ahead.As the half time break beckoned a Cilles attack found Eanna Walsh on the edge of the square to palm the ball into the net to leave the Cilles ahead by two points at the break having played against the wind.

Half time score: Cilles 2-06 Don/Ash 0-10.

Whatever ideas the Cilles may have had that the wind assistance would allow them to stroll through the second half were soon killed off with Don/Ash getting the first two points to level the match. However once the Cilles lads adjusted to the conditions they went on a run that produced three goals and four points without reply.

With the defense holding strong and starting the attacking moves, points from Jake Hannon and Matthew Breen were followed by a goal from Eoin O'Neill. Another point from Eanna Walsh was followed by goal from Lee Browne and another point from Jake Hannon.

Stephen O'Neill then added a goal and a point to the total followed with another point by Donal Meagher.Don/Ash got through for a goal at that stage which was too little too late to effect the outcome. The scoring was completed by another fine point from Stephen O'Neill.

Final score: Cilles 5-13 Don/Ash 1-12.

A strong team performance by the Cilles was rewarded with nine players getting on the score sheet. A huge credit goes to the defensive seven who restricted Don/Ash to just three scores in the second half. The midfield pairing of Lee and Joe got through a huge amount of work that provided the forwards with the scoring opportunities, the majority of which were well taken. The game was played in a good spirit throughout. The Cilles gave Championship debuts to a number of young players all of who made big contributions to the outcome.

Up next for the Cilles is another championship match next Sunday in Kilbride against a Dunboyne side who also won their opening match.

St. Colmcilles: Jordan Browne; Fearghal Walsh; Shane Crilly; Darragh Kelly; Stephen Emmett; Darragh Brodigan; Shane Towey; Lee Browne (1-01); Joe Sweeney; John McKenna (0-01); Donal Meagher (1-01); Eanna Walsh (1-02); Gary McCloskey (0-02); Eoin O'Neill (1-01); Jake Hannon (0-02). Subs: Matthew Breen (0-01) for Emmett; Lorcan Hughes for E Walsh; Jack Bohan for McKenna; Lee McGuiness for McCloskey and  Stephen O'Neill (1-02) for Eoin O'Neill.

Donaghmore Ashbourne Report

Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-12 St Colmcilles  5-13

Donaghmore Ashbourne worked hard against an experienced St Colmcilles side but the late concession of a goal just before half time and a flurry of goals in a 15 minute period in the second half put paid to their chances of a win in this 1st round championship game. The match itself was a good contest and scores in the first half seemed to come easy to both sides with some excellent point taking. The third string Don Ash side found it hard to compete against the 'Cilles second team but displayed good character throughout the game despite the concession of the 3 second half goals. The loss of Cian Field at the end of the first half marked the debut of Ciaran O'Sullivan at adult Championship level and he duly scored a well taken point on the run within a minute. Conor McGovern was accurate with his free taking duties and was also helped by Lorcan Nolan and Danny Deery who showed well all over the 'Cilles half.

Coming up to half time Don Ash had hit 5 points in a row to lead by one but a turnover ball allowed St Colmcilles to attack at pace and numbers and they got their second goal of the half on the half time whistle. Don Ash were 2:06 to 0:10 behind at the break.

The second half started well for the Ashbourne side with Joey Long posting a long range point and Lorcan Nolan popping a short range free over to level the match. Alas that was the closest they got to the strong Colmcilles side who used the wind to great effect to counter attack at pace and start a scoring spree. A mishandled ball dropped into the Don Ash net and within 2 minutes St. Colmcilles had another green flag. Don Ash found it hard to breakout against the wind and worked the ball up the pitch only to find themselves defending just as quick. Smart kickouts by the experienced Colmcilles keeper lay the foundations for rapid counter attacks.

A consolation goal for Don Ash was a reward for hard work but too little too late on this occasion.

With preparations hampered by no access to pitches in the run up to this game, and only one league game played so far, the Don Ash team know they have a lot of work to do before their second round game.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: Matt Davis, Aaron McLoughlin, Niall Moran, Liam Finn, Dylan Cassidy, Joey Long (0-1), Conor Heffernan, James Flavin, Anthony McAlearney, Danny Deery (0-1), Conor McGovern (1-4), Stephen Fenton, Lorcan Nolan (0-3), Cian Field (0-2), Donagh O'Donnell.

Subs used : Ciaran O'Sullivan (0-1) for Field, Kevin McInerney for Fenton, Michael McCabe for Finn.

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