Donaghmore/Ashbourne advanced to semi-final of Leinster club MFC Tournament hosted by Eire Og of Carlow when they had a goal to spare over Athy of Kildare. Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-6 Athy 0-6 Donaghmore/Asbhourne beat a fancied Athy team in Carlow on Saturday afternoon which saw the introduction of the new experimental rules being enforced. This match was been videod for Leinster Council. It didn't look too good for Don/Ash in the first 6 minutes when they had Sean Curran and Andrew Tormey black carded which meant that if either of these players got another card they were off. The new rule which had been explained to both teams before the game meant that if any player got 1 black book and committed a second offence they were sent off but a player was allowed come on in their place. It was a lot to ask young players at this time of year when conditions are slippy. Don/Ash opened scoring with a fine point from Paul Gilligan but Athy went on to score 3 points before Don/Ash scored again. With backs under severe pressure not to foul and pick up a black book they performed extremely well to get the ball down the field to their forwards, ending with Andrew Tormey making a great run which broke open Athy's defence to end up with a well taken goal to put Don/Ash ahead 1-2 to 0-3, at a crucial time after Gavin Kennedy and their No 8 being sent off for what seemed like very little. At the end of a very nervous first half Don/Ash were 1-4 to 0-4 ahead with Ross Hanway on for the unfortunate Gavin Kennedy but Athy had faired a little worse when they lost both their starting midfield. The second half seemed to be more relaxed but the players had to be very careful not to pick up cards for silly fouls. Their was some very good free flowing football from both teams and very entertaining with very little between the sides. For most of the second half their was a goal between them which made for a very tense last 5 minutes when Athy were going for goals to win, but Danny McShane pulled off some great saves. Don/Ash defence were brilliant from corner back Robert O'Connor, Sean Curran, Daryl Lawlor, Mattie Devine, J P Casserly to David Carey on the wing. Ross Hanway made a big impact when coming on but each and every one of this team know how hard they have to work to win games and never let the club down. The final result was 1-6 to 0-6 with Don/Ash losing 2 players to the new rules and Athy losing 3. The jury is still out on wheter these new rules are good or bad for the game but on yesterdays performance it seems a little harsh when key players can be sent off for very minor and sometimes unlucky tackles. Don/Ash:- D. McShane; D. Lawlor, S. Curran, R. O'Connor; M. Devine, J P. Casserly, D Carey(0-1); A Tormey (1-4 2f), B. Menton; P. Gilligan (0-1), S. Rock, G. Naughton; C. Field, S. Kavanagh, G. Kennedy. Subs for players sent off for 2nd offence R. Hanway for G. Kennedy, C. O'Sullivan for J P Casserly. Tweet

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