Donaghmore Ashbourne and Navan O'Mahonys will go head to head this Sunday to decide the destination of the hoganstand.com Meath senior football championship at Pairc Tailteann.

Now a very experienced outfit, O'Mahonys will come in to this game as favourites. Some of their form this year has been outstanding. In the opening two rounds against Seneschalstown and Dunshaughlin the games were as good as over after 15 minutes. Following defeat to Simonstown and a poor showing against Gaeil Colmcille the "Hoops' were back to their best against Walterstown and Skryne and showed great composure versus Wolfe Tones in the semi final. The experience of keeper Marcas Brennan and full back and captain Niall McKeigue are very central to the success of this team. Much will depend on the work rate of the half back line of James O'Reilly, Shane Crosby and Gary O'Brien while up front the Bray brothers, David and Stephen along with Jake Regan have completed most of the damage. Navan O'Mahonys finished second behind neighbours Simonstown in group B with seven points out of ten.  Davy Nelson's men scored an impressive 14 goals and 97 points while conceding 3-63

Donaghmore Ashbourne came through the group series unbeaten. That included success against last years winners and finalists Summerhill and Na Fianna. Their biggest win came in the quarter final when they comfortably dispatched Duleek Bellewstown. The Moores have scored 9-91 and conceded 4-69 over the seven games. While not setting the world alight Donaghmore have shown great composure in all their games. Paul Clarkes charges have a fine mix of youth and experience. Seven of the starting XV in their semi final win, Jack Hannigan, twins Thomas and Darragh McGovern, Conor Carton, Shaun Byrne and Michael Deegan have been county minors over the past two years. Half back Caran Ellis and Shane Melia have been outstanding all year while Bryan Menton, Andy Tormey and Ciaran Beirne have been their driving force. Seanie Curran and Eoin Reilly missed most of the season and are back while Cormac McGill has returned from injury.

The league form of the two finalists has been similar. Donaghmore Ashboune played 13 games and earned 14 points while O'Mahonys played 13 and ended with 13 points. They met in round 2 back in late February with Donaghmore coming out on top, 1-7 to 1-6.

O'Mahonys last Keegan Cup success came in 2012 while Donaghmore have to go way back to 1942 for their one and only Keegan Cup win.

Path to the final

Round 1
Navan O'Mahonys 3-14 Seneschalstown 0-8
Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-13 Moynalvey 0-10

Round 2
Navan O'Mahonys 3-22 Dunshaughlin 0-6
Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-9 Summerhill 0-8

Round 3
Navan O'Mahonys 1-9 Simonstown 1-11
Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-14 Na Fianna 1-8

Round 4
Navan O'Mahonys 0-10 Gaeil Colmcille 0-10
Donaghmore Ashbourne4.67 2-11 Rathkenny 2-10

Round 5
Navan O'Mahonys 3-15 Walterstown 0-7
Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-17 St Patricks 1-11

Quarter Final
Donaghmore Ashbourne 3-13 Duleek Bellewstown 0-8
Navan O'Mahonys 3-14 Skryne 2-11

Semi Final
Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-14 Na Fianna 0-12
Navan O'Mahonys 1-13 Wolfe Tones 0-10

Key Players Donaghmore Ashbourne Conor Carton, Ciaran Ellis, Shane Melia, Conor Carey, Bryan Menton, Andy Tormey and Michael Deegan.

Donaghmore Ashbourne manager Paul Clarke

Key Players Navan O'Mahonys Marcas Brennan, Niall McKeigue, Shane Crosby, Gary O'Brien, Stephen Bray, Alan Forde, David Bray and Jake Regan.

Navan O'Mahonys manager Davy Nelson

The Fixture

Sunday 19 October 

hoganstand.com SFC final O'Mahonys v Donaghmore/Ashbourne 15:30 Páirc Tailteann

Referee Colm McManus Gaeil Colmcille

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