Wolfe Tones 1-10
Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-5

Wolfe Tones booked their place in the Minor Division One League decider with an excellent battling performance in what proved to be a game of two halves in difficult conditions in Kilberry.

The opening quarter proved decisive as the Wolfe Tones made their wind advantage tell to open up a 1-6 to 0-0 lead. A whirlwind start yielded an early brace of frees from Thomas O'Reilly followed by a major from Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch. Saran O Fionnagain made a crucial turnover in the Ashbourne defence, O'Reilly found O'Kelly-Lynch who rounded his man before blasting high to the net. Thomas O' Reilly (three) and O' Fionnagain rounded off the scoring before Ashbourne opened their account with a point after 22 minutes.

Despite the Tones' dominance, Ashbourne continued to probe and got their reward with a goal of their own on 25 minutes to reduce the margin. O Fionnagain and O'Reilly completed the Tones first half scoring. Half Time: Wolfe Tones 1-8 Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-1.

Ashbourne emerged for the second half with the bit between their teeth and put the Tones defence under huge pressure. Despite reducing their arrears to four points with ten minutes remaining, Ashbourne could never get within touching distance and would be left to rue seven second half wides. The Tones defended admirably and showed great character to hold on to their lead while playing into strong wind and rain. O' Reilly and John Paul Melady completed the Wolfe Tones scoring to secure a spot in the final.

Wolfe Tones: Mark McDonald, Sean Carr, Robert Whyte, Oisin Mac Ghinneartaigh, John Paul Melady (0-1), Cian O'Neill, Alan Lynam, Daniel O'Neill, Charlie McGarry, Padraic Diamond, Thomas O'Reilly (0-7 6f), Thomas Blaney, Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch (1-0), Saran O Fionnagain (0-2), Caolan Ward. Subs: Matthew Melady for E. O'Kelly-Lynch (HT).

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