Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-12
Dunshaughlin 1-09

Dunshaughlin made the relatively short trip to neighbouring Ashbourne on Wednesday evening with the aim of keeping their Div 1 unbeaten run intact.

It was the home team that started the brighter with 2 unanswered scores in the first 7 mins before a fine score from Maynooth graduate Niall Murphy afte 8 mins got the black and amber off the mark. A lovely Cathal O'Dwyer point one minute later levelled the game after some fine work from Trevor Dowd with towering midfielder John Crimmons getting on the scoreboard to put Dunshaughlin in front with a long range score after 11 minutes that was to be the score of the game from way out the field on the wrong side for a right footer. It was now all Dunshaughlin who were aided by a strong breeze and a trademark Ray Maloney run was finished off by vice captain Tadhg o'Dushlaine to now have 2 points between the teams halfway through the first half. A free from the moors brought the game back to a 1 point lead for the visitors with Donaghmore Ashbourne to their credit managing to stay in the game playing into a strong breeze despite the best efforts of Dunshauglins Caoimhin King who was enjoying a fine opening half in the holding role for Dunshauglin. A Trevor Dowd score following some fine work from Fergus Toolan and Ray Maloney along with a converted Cathal o'Dwyer free had Dunshaughlin leading by 3 points before another converted free from Donaghmore Ashbourne and another free coming courtesy of Cathal O'Dwyer had Dunshaughln 3 points to the good as Parrick Clarke blew for half time.

The second half resumed with Dunshauglin goal keeper Michael Ahern making a fantastic save with Ben Duggan getting Dunshauglins first score of the second half after 33 mins. Donaghmore Ashbourne were to now had a purple match and get 3 unanswered points before Ben Duggan was the first to react to a long ball into the Donaghmore Ashbourne square with him expertly timing his run to palm the ball into the Donaghmore Ashbourne net to have Dunshauglin now back leading by 3 points. It was all Donaghmore Ashbourne from her onwards while Dunshaughlin were guilty of missing some scores when in hindsight a point was the better option to take. Another Cathal o'Dwyer point with 10 mins remaining was badly needed to break the Donaghmore Ashbourne dominance however Donaghmore Ashbourne were to finish the stronger of the two teams with them scoring 3 unanswered points with the last of the 3 points coming after 30 mins to level the match.

Both sides will feel they should have won the game but deep down both camps will be happy with a point. Best for Dunshaughlin was Michael Ahern, Caoimhin King, Fergus Toolan and Cathal o'Dwyer.

Dunshaughlin - M.Ahern, D.Ormsby, A.Doyle, F.Delaney, D.Dunne, C.King, T.O'Dushlaine(0-01), J.Crimmons(0-01), R.Maloney, M.Devaney, T.Dowd(0-01), B.Duggan(1-01), F.Toolan, N.Murphy(0-01), C.O'Dwyer(0-04). Subs - O.Foley for M.Devaney

Donaghmore Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin share the spoils.

Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-12 Dunshaughlin 1-09

Donaghmore Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin had to share the spoils when the sides met on Wednesday evening in their Division 1A clash in Ashbourne. Both sides will be disappointed not to have taken the  maximum  points and both sides will also be relieved not to have left the pitch empty handed so a draw was probably a fair  result and reflection of the  hours football on show.

Donaghmore Ashbourne's opening score came from Michael Deegan within the opening minute and this was followed by a well taken point from Sean Curran. The visitors also registered a couple of scores in the opening period to restore parity.  Although Deegan pointed again for Donaghmore Ashbourne from a free the home side trailed at the end of the first quarter by 0-05 to 0-03.

The second quarter was a low scoring period and it was the Dunshaughlin men who had the better of the scores in this period. They extended their lead with a point on 18 minutes with Ciaran Beirne replying for Donaghmore Ashbourne with a free on 20 minutes. The only other score of this period when to Dunshaughlin from a converted 45 meter strike on 28 minutes as the visitors led at the  interval by 0-07 to 0-04.

As Donaghmore Ashbourne struggled in the first half to get any rhythm in the game any early chances of a  recovery in the second half were dealt an early blow as the visitors extended their lead on 33 minutes with a goal that came from a high ball into the square that found its way the  corner of the  net. This score put 6 points between the sides.

At the other end Michael Deegan had a great strike excellently saved by the Dunshaughlin keeper as he was at full stretch to parry the ball over the bar on 34 minutes. Dunshaughlin restored the 6 point gap with a converted free a minute later and it looked at this point that they would hold out for victory.

Credit to Donaghmore Ashbourne as they never gave up and worked hard for the remained of the game and slowly reduced the deficit. Deegan was first to raise the white flag with a 30 meter free on 36 minutes.  Substitute Shaun Byrne hit two quick points within the 38th minutes and with Darragh Mc Govern pointing on 44 minutes there was only two between the sides heading into the final quarter.

Dunshaughlin's final score of the evening came on 49 minutes when they converted another 45 kick. In the closing period  Mattie Devine pointed on 52 minutes, Eric Callaghan on 57 and when David Morgan pointed on 59 minutes to  bring the sides level it looked as if the home side might go on and take the full points.  In the closing minutes of additional time both sides had opportunities for the winning score but failed to convert their chances.

Overall while both teams may be disappointed with not taking the full points a draw was probably the fairest result.

Donaghmore Ashbourne: A. Colgan, J. Boland, C. Mc Gill, JP Casserly; C. Carton, S. Melia, P. Gilligan; S. Curran (0-1), R. O'Connor ; E. Callaghan(0-1), M. Deegan (0-4) (2f), D. Mc Govern (0-1);  C. Beirne(0-1), D. Morgan (0-1), E. Riordan. Subs: S. Byrne (0-2) for Casserly, J. Mc Carney for Gilligan, I. O'Donnell for Boland, M. Devine (0-1) for Beirne, C. Field for Callaghan

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