There will be a new name, barring a draw, inscribed on the Keegan Cup come 5 O'Clock this Sunday evening when Donaghmore-Ashbourne take on Simonstown in the hoganstand.com Meath senior football championship final at Pairc Tailteann.

Both clubs have came close to landing the title on one occasion. Simonstown lost out in 2003 to Blackhall Gaels while Donaghmore Ashbourne lost the 2012 final to Navan O'Mahonys.

Colm O'Rourke's charges got their campaign off to a bad start with one point from two games but from there on they have really hit form. Since August they have drawn with reigning champions Navan O'Mahonys, beaten last years finalists Na Fianna, championship favourites Dunboyne and last years semi-finalists Gaeil Colmcille. 

Donaghmore's best performances have been saved for the knockout stages with good wins over Dunshaughlin and Seneschalstown while they were never really tested by Skryne in the semi-final.

The Simonstown squad on semi final day

Both teams are strong in defence. That area has so often been an achilles heel for Simonstown but they have really tightened up in this department. Robbie Burlingham has been a revelation in goal. The full back position appears to be a bit of a problem but in Brian Conlon and Niall Kane in the half back line they have players as good as any in the county. Conlon has been an inspiration for the North Navan club this year. Shane O'Rourke and Conor Nash have formed a great partnership at midfield. The work rate of veteran Seamus Kenny, Joe Lyons and Mark McCabe along with the scoring power of Pauric McKeever will provide The Moores will plenty of food for thought.

Sean Kelly's Ashbourne charges have built this successful run around a very solid defence which has conceded just 3-76 over their eight games. Former Meath minor Jack Hannigan has proved his worth in goal. Like Simonstown, full back appears to be a problem. Midfielder James Colgan has covered the position on numerous occasions throughout the campaign. Will he be deployed as a man marker or pick up a position further out the field? Key defenders Cormac McGill and Shane Melia missed the semi-final while there was also a major concern for ace forward Michael Deegan after that semi-final win. In the McGovern twins, Paul Gilligan, Sean Curran, Bryan Menton, Dylan Brady and Andy Tormey, 'The Moores' have plenty of match winners.

The Donaghmore Ashbourne squad on semi final day

Like in most games the key battle area will be around the middle of the field. Donaghmore-Ashbourne will need to have Conor Carey back to his form of 2012 when he was the best midfielder on the club scene. His partner will more than likely be David Morgan and this pair will have their work cut out to curb the influence of Simonstown's Shane O'Rourke and Conor Nash. While O'Rourke has been more of a holding midfielder, Nash has the knack of popping up all over the field.

It will be an interesting weekend in the Barry household in Navan. Dad Sean is Sean Kelly's right hand man at Ashbourne while son Shane will surely see some game time for Simonstown. 

It's amazing how a championship campaign can change the fortunes of a club player. Injury kept Brian Conlon out of the Simonstown team up until round 3. The rising star was given the number 6 jersey in that local derby clash with neighbours Navan O'Mahonys and proceeded to give a masterclass that day. From that game on, Conlon has improved immensely and so have the fortunes of Simonstown. Dylan Brady lined out with the Ashbourne club in the opening rounds of the Intermediate championship but it did not take Sean Kelly and Co. too long to see his class and he has been one of the club's leading forwards in the senior grade, scoring some wonderful goals as they paved their way to the final.

Simonstown manager Colm O'Rourke

These are two teams well used to each other. The last time they met Simonstown were left wondering how they did not claim the Feis Cup title back in early September under lights at Dunganny. 

Donaghmore Ashbourne are looking for the clean sweep. The Feis Cup is already won and they are also in the Division 1 football league final where they will play Summerhill. They met Simonstown in Round 5 of the league with Donaghmore Ashbourne coming out on top 1-13 to 0-6 at home. 

Donaghmore Ashbourne finished 3rd in Group B losing two games and winning three while Simonstown finished on the same amount of points but finished second in Group C with two wins, two draws and a loss.

Paths to the final

Round 1

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-9 St Patricks 0-7
Simonstown 1-10 Wolfe Tones 0-13

Round 2

Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-12 Summerhill 1-11
Simonstown 2-12 Moynalvey 1-16

Round 3

Donaghmore Ashbourne 3-18 Duleek Bellewstown 0-6
Simonstown 1-12 Navan O'Mahonys 1-12

Round 4

Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-10 Ratoath 0-13
Simonstown 1-13 Dunshaughlin 0-11

Round 5

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-8 Dunboyne 1-11
Simonstown 3-11 Na Fianna 0-8

Preliminary Quarter Final

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-17 Dunshaughlin 1-10

Quarter Final

Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-16 Seneschalstown 0-6
Simonstown 3-16 Dunboyne 1-17

Semi Final

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-9 Skryne 0-8
Simonstown 0-14 Gaeil Colmcille 0-12

Donaghmore Ashbourne have scored 11 goals and 99 points over eight games while Simonstown have recorded 11 goals and 88 points in their seven games to the decider.

Donaghmore Ashbourne manager Sean Kelly

The Donaghmore Ashbourne team that defeated Skryne in the semi final: Jack Hannigan; Thomas McGovern, JP Casserly, David Morgan; Daragh McGovern, Paul Gilligan, Sean Curran; Conor Carey, James Colgan; Cathal Field, Conor Carton, Bryan Menton; Dylan Brady, Andrew Tormey, Michael Deegan. Subs - Ciaran Ellis for Deegan, Eoghan Riordan for Casserly, Aidan Hughes for D McGovern. 

The Simonstown Gaels team that defeated Gaeil Colmcille in the semi-final: Robbie Burlingham; Shane Gallagher, Niall McMahon, Stephen Moran; Ian O'Rourke, Brian Conlon, Niall Kane; Shane O'Rourke, Conor Nash; Joe Lyons, Seamus Kenny, Mark McCabe; Pauric McKeever, Conor Sheridan, Eanna Donoghue. Subs - Michael O'Rourke for Ian O'Rourke, Mark Gardiner for Donoghue, Michael Brennan for Sheridan, Shane Barry for Kenny.

Betting: Donaghmore/Ashbourne 8/15, Simonstown 11/8

Our Verdict: A very hard one to call with two teams that are very evenly matched. Don't rule out a draw but we will go for Simonstown.

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