Donaghmore/Ashbourne's ascent up the All-County Leagues continued unabated in 1999 but they failed to transfer their league form onto the championship arena. The team's centre forward PJ Moran takes a look back at the last twelve months. When asked to summarise Donaghmore/Ashbourne's year, long serving player PJ Moran replied: "I suppose you could say it was a continuation of the progress made last year." In 1998 Donaghmore/Ashbourne won promotion to Division 3 of the All-County Leagues, claiming the Division 4 title in the process at the expense of Wolfe Tones. They maintained their climb up the league ladder during the past twelve months when Division 2 status was attained. Unfortunately, Slane proved too strong in the Division 3 decider. "We'll be playing a better standard of football next year in Division 2 so that should stand us in goodstead," opines the team's centre half forward. "We've a lot of young players coming up through the club at the moment and they'll benefit from the experience. We had Sean Harmon and Rory Maguire on the county minors this year and Brendan Murphy was on the U17s. It bodes well for the future." The League final was played in Duleek in mid-October, and Slane ran out winners on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-8. Could Donaghmore/Ashbourne have won that game? "We were four points behind with about ten minutes left when our full forward, Rory Maguire, hit the crossbar. Had that have gone in we might have snuck it but to be honest Slane deserved to win. Being a senior club their extra bit of cuteness made the difference on the day." The club's performances in the League these past two years have offered much hope for the future but their championship form has left a lot to be desired. Once again they failed to make the knock-out stages of the Intermediate championship this year. "Our championship form has been very patchy these last couple of years, it's been a while since we last qualified for the play-offs. It was particularly disappointing this year in the sense that we liked the look of the draw at the start of the campaign. "We didn't play to our full potential in the opening three games - we drew with St. Brigids and Moynalty in our first two games and lost to Rathkenny by two points in the third. To my mind, over the years, a good start is vital to get a bit of momentum going, otherwise you're wasting your time. PJ continues: "There's eight or ten teams in the county capable of winning the Intermediate championship. It's a very competitive competition. It all boils down to who wants it the most, who's willing to apply themselves the best. Next year there'll be two teams down from senior which will make it all the harder. Hopefully, with a little bit of luck we can make a big impression over the next couple of years." PJ is fullsome in his praise of the contribution of team coach, former Donaghmore and Meath player Brendan Murray, manager, Conor Tormey, and selectors, Myles Prior and Dave O'Rourke. "Brendan has certainly made a difference since he became involved two years ago. He got a lot out of the players and his vast experience has been of considerable help to us. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as though he'll be with us next year. His loss will be a big blow." At 33 years of age, PJ is the elder statesman of the Donaghmore/Ashbourne team. Is there a couple of years left in the old dog yet? "I don't know about a couple of years, maybe I'll give it one more. PJ's family have been involved with the local club for many a year now. His late father, Pat, was a former chairman while his mother, Elsie, has served on committee's. His brother, Sean, who hung up the boots this year, played both football and hurling with the club. For his own part, PJ has been playing with Donaghmore/Ashbourne since the early seventies, like all his contemporaries he started off at U7/U8 levels. Silverware has been a scarce commodity, however, during his time in the green and white jersey. His sole reward - to date - has been last year's Division 4 medal. With the amount of housing estates being erected in every available nook and cranny and its ever burgeoning population, it has been consistently argued that a large town such as Ashbourne should be competiting at a higher level. Would PJ subscribe to that theory? "I would to some extent but a lot of people who move into the area from Dublin would already be involved with a club there. It's easy to commute from Ashbourne so they'd still be within striking distance of their home club. As a result they wouldn't get involved with the club. The close proximity with Dublin is not helping our cause. "There's also a big number of sporting clubs in the area which draw from the one pool of talent. Rugby, soccer and golf are very strong in Ashbourne at the minute so it hard to keep lads committed." Efforts are being made to redress the situation though. "The club is working very hard at underage level in combination with the local schools. We recently developed a new field in association with the new second level school. Tapping into the education system is the way forward. "The present chairman Greg Twomey is investing an unbelievable amount of work in trying to progress the cause of Donaghmore/Ashbourne. The committee in general is doing a good job, particularly on the social aspect of the club, in an effort to get more people around the place. Obviously any success we have on the field will greatly enhance their efforts." PJ and all at Donaghmore/Ashbourne have looked on enviously as neighbouring clubs have made their way into the winners enclosure these last couple of years. "There have been a few championships won around us recently - with Dunboyne, Drumree, Dunshaughlin and Blackhall Gaels all making progress. Clubs across the border, Garristown and Rolestown have also enjoyed championship success. We're obviously hoping that the rising tide will lift all boats," he concluded. PLAYER FOCUS Name: Rory Maguire Date of Birth: 21/11/81 Height: 5ft 11 Weight: 12st Club: Donaghmore/Ashbourne Honours: (Gaelic) Playing for Meath Under 16s, Meath minors, Dublin final in Croke Park with Colaiste Mhuire, promotion from Division 4 and 3 with Donaghmore Toughest Opponent: Donal Curtis playing against Rathkenny Favourite Grounds: Pairc Tailteann, The Wotton Hobbies: Football, women, dancing Favourite Position: Full forward The worst player to train that you know: PJ Moran, never turns up for training Most embarrassing moment on or off the football field: There are so many I couldn't start to think Favourite Player: Ollie Murphy Influences on your career: John Harmon, Brendan Murray, Gerry Cooney, Martin Byrne The high point of your career to date: Playing for Meath minors Biggest Disappointment: Losing to Wexford in the Leinster MFC in front of a home crowd and not playing up to standard on the day Other players with a promising future: Niall Ronan, Sean Harmon, Charles McCarthy Ways of improving the game: More incentives for the younger players 16-21 to keep them interested in the game Dislikes about the GAA: They're a bit stingy Person you would most like to meet: Denise Richards Favourite personal saying or term of abuse: Alright! Pet Hates!: Playing a match early on Sunday morning Favourite Music: I don't mind once its not repetative and with a melody Favourite Film: American Pie What would you do if you won the lotto: I would like to see the world, invest some, save some, and blow most of it on having a good time with my friends Person least welcome at your home: Everybody is welcome into my home Ideal Date: A romantic drive around the block in my girlfriend's new Ford Focus How would you like to be remembered: Ask me in another 50 or 60 years, I'm not going anywhere yet Tweet

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