Ballinlough 3-9 Donaghmore Ashbourne 5-13

Donaghmore Ashbourne's third team travelled the 60 kms to Ballinlough on Monday evening to kick start their league season after a run of closely fought losses, they were determined to up their game and show the travelling supporter (Cheers Brendan) what they were all about.

The game started badly for the lads conceding a goal from the off, but Patrick Roche pointed immediately after. In fact he pointed at regular intervals during the game and added a green flag later, posting 1-08 in total, all from play. He was ably assisted by Stephen Fenton and Lorcan Nolan who tirelessly hassled the Ballinlough backs to great effect. After the home team traded points with young Nolan they looped a ball over the keeper to score their second goal on 10 minutes. 3 minutes later Donaghmore Ashbourne got a goal back from Conor McGovern followed by three points from play from Patrick Roche on 15th, 16th and 17th minutes.

Donaghmore Ashbourne started to play good football but some loose play let Ballinlough in for 2 points, one from a free on 21 minutes, the first placed ball in the game. Normal service was resumed with another point from Roche and the move of the match set up centre back Joey Long to power to the net on 23 minutes. Things were looking up for the Moores with 2 more points from play, one each from Roche and Nolan on 24 and 25 minutes respectively. Maybe there was a time warp up in North Meath but with dark skies looming overheard and the threat of rain, the first half came to an abrupt end and the half time turn around was quicker than normal. 'No diesel for the lights' was heard as both teams were called back into the fray. Half time score: Ballinlough 2-03; Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-08.

The second half started slow but Donaghmore Ashbourne used their possession well to get Joey Long into a position to hand pass over the bar with a minute of the restart. Stout defending from Donaghmore Ashbourne was required as Ballinlough threw everything they had into attack. Donaghmore Ashbourne survived the 3 minute onslaught and countered with a point from Roche. Inevitably Ballinlough got a free within scoring distance and pointed to keep within touching distance, but Conor McGovern mastered another dead ball to cancel that out. Ballinlough in fairness never gave up and scored two more points only to see the gains reduced by more accurate shooting from Roche. Donaghmore Ashbourne used the space on the pitch well as Ballinlough tired and on 45 minutes Ballinlough scored a point only to see Donaghmore Ashbourne work the ball out of defence to Stephen Breslin who calmly slotted into the net. Young Ciaran O'Sullivan who had a fine game made way for the 'experienced' Eoin Caffrey and the change hadn't quite the desired effect as Ballinlough took advantage of slow re-organising and scored a point and then goaled within a minute.

Unfazed, Donaghmore Ashbourne settled into their rhythm again and Nolan fired over another point and set up Roche for an easy goal on 52 minutes. Ballinlough went for goals and were unlucky not to score when a rocket of a shot somehow smashed off the crossbar and went over for a point. Mattie Davis in goal will probably say he got a hand to it. With time almost up Donaghmore Ashbourne struck again with a high ball / point attempt falling short straight to Anthony McAlearney who calmly side stepped the keeper and hit the back of the net. The referee blew the fulltime whistle and strangely enough the evening had got brighter at the end of the game than when it started. The referee, who we only know as Gerry as the Ballinlough lads were calling him, had a fine game and let the game flow which contributed to an exciting game to watch.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: Mattie Davis, Aaron McLoughlin, Niall Moran, Oisin Mulhall, Anthony Lynn, Joey Long (1-1), Conor Heffernan, Stephen Breslin (1-0), Anthony McAlearney (1-0), Ciaran O'Sullivan, Conor McGovern (1-01), Kevin McInerney, Lorcan Nolan (0-3), Stephen Fenton, Patrick Roche (1-08). Subs: Eoin Caffrey for O'Sullivan, Keith McCarthy for Roche.

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