Anybody returning to the Ashbourne area these days after a reasonably prolonged period away would undoubtedly be astonished at the vast amount of house-building that has taken place in a region that, not that very long ago, would have been termed no more than a small town. But there is certainly nothing small about Ashbourne these days as houses of all shapes and sizes appear to burst up out of the ground like mushrooms on a warm, humid summer morning. It's the same story as in regions like nearby Ratoath, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne and was inevitable given the close proximity of these places to Dublin and the fact that people don't have long distances to travel to work into our capital city. Such rapid and remarkable development, which has increased the population of so many parts of Co. Meath to levels that few could have predicted years ago, puts pressures on communities to cater for those increased numbers of people moving in and that's certainly the case for the GAA clubs in these areas who would be foolish not to tap into the growing reserve of new residents. Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA club has gone about dealing with the rapidly expanding population in its region with great determination and vigour and an enormous amount of work is being dedicated by many people to ensure that top class facilities are provided which will cater very well for such numbers and thus secure the future of Gaelic games in the area. The GAA club is vitally important to any area, be it one with a very large and expanding population base like Donaghmore/Ashbourne have seen develop, or the smaller rural clubs, but for the bigger clubs which field a vast array of teams in all GAA codes at under-age and adult levels the challenges are big as they work to cater for those numbers. The days of poor facilities being acceptable are long gone and these days people expect the best. With Donaghmore/Ashbourne's ambitious plans there is no question that the facilities will be the best and will provide a tremendous venue to cater for that growing population and also greatly enhance the local community as a whole. Ambitious the plans most certainly are, with an estimated overall cost of over E6 million, to be carried out on a phased basis. But when it's complete it will represent a marvellous facility for the area and one that can be used by so many people for a vast array of healthy activities. The development is located on an 18-acre site at Killegland West, one kilometre from the centre of Ashbourne, near to the old Dardis and Dunn premises, so it has a good central position which should also be a help. "We got the land thanks to the generosity of the Gilsenan family and Eugene and Hughie Brady as part of their development plan," said Donaghmore/Ashbourne's Development Committee secretary Frank Reidy as he spoke of the club's ambitions plans with enormous enthusiasm and passion. "We set up a Development Committee after Christmas last year to guide the entire process. Planning permission was applied for and it was a memorable day when we held a very successful sod-turning ceremony at the site on 10th April last. "It was a great day overall and we were absolutely blessed to get very good weather. Approximately 1,000 people turned up to mark the occasion which represented a great turnout. "We had a video presentation of our plans regarding the fields and the complex. Also, our financial analyst, Frank McLoughlin from HSM, outlined the financial details of the whole project. I have to say that he has been really great as far as the time and expertise he has devoted to the project are concerned." The video presentation covering the club's plans for the field and complex at Killegland West was given by Frank Reidy and must have delighted all those present as it is certainly impressive and promises to provide the type of sporting facilities that any community can be proud of and which will be a tremendous help to the Donaghmore/Ashbourne club and many other people in the decades to come. "The complex is certainly very elaborate and will include no fewer than eight dressing rooms, a bar and function room, an indoor arena and other ancillary facilities," Frank added as he outlined its clearly impressive nature. "The indoor arena is modelled on what the Na Phiarsaigh club down in Cork have put in place and will be big at 42 metres by 25 metres. It will have a grass (synthetic) surface and will be suitable for a large variety of different sports, including indoor hurling and football, tennis, basketball, badminton, etc - a multitude really. "We hope this arena will be the centre of the development, the centrepiece of the whole thing. We would anticipate that companies, factories, neighbouring clubs and other codes would make use of its facilities and, of course, that will generate revenue for the club. "Of course, the complex will also have endless uses for kids and that's so vitally important in view of the huge population of children in the area now. "Work will commence on the complex in early 2005 and it will be completed on a phases basis. It will secure the future of the games in the area." Of course, there is more to Donaghmore/Ashbourne's magnificent plans than the complex, though it is clearly going to be a huge and greatly important part of it, particularly the large arena. But there are also very big and ambitious plans for outdoors on the site - after all that's where the GAA action, whether it be football, hurling or camogie, takes place and it's where the ambitious club will hope to build future successes at all levels. "There will be two adult sand-based pitches, as well as two juvenile pitches," Frank said as he outlined the plans for this part of the project. "Work commenced on the field in May. By the autumn of 2005 we would be hoping to hear the thud of the football and the sound of the sliothar on these pitches. That would be just great." Like almost everything in life it costs money and facilities as impressive as those Donaghmore/Ashbourne want to provide at Killegland West certainly won't come cheap. But, when all is said and done and they can look at a wonderful facility to be proud of, they can be extremely happy in the knowledge that it was money very well spent; money that helped enhance not alone the image and future of the club, but the area and community as a whole. "The entire cost of the project will run to over E6 million, on a phased basis," Frank added. "Of course, we have been working very hard on our fund-raising activities over the last number of years which has been very important to the project. We also received a National Lottery grant to the sum of ?150,000 as part of phase one." Clubs in areas like Ashbourne, as they watch the local population expand so rapidly around them, have special challenges to meet. Donaghmore/Ashbourne know that and are doing something about it in a determined, organised and ambitious manner. You really have to when the club is catering for so many teams, both under-age and at adult level, in the various Gaelic games' codes. "We field 28 teams here at the moment," Frank added. "And it also has to be remembered that those sides don't include the three primary schools and one secondary school in all Gaelic games' codes. There is such a big demand as a result." Back in 1798 a man called Robert O'Boyle, who was allegedly in the payroll of Dublin Castle, was scouting in the Fingal area and journeyed from Garristown to Ashbourne. At Milltown he came across 500 people "watching a number of fellows playing at football." It proves beyond doubt that the tradition of Gaelic games is there in the area for a long, long time. If he was to journey similarly in the not too distant future (which, of course, is highly unlikely) he would see men, women, boys and girls playing not alone at football, but at the other Gaelic games disciplines as well. He would be well advised to journey to Killegland West and to what will be a tremendous facility and a monument to the dedicated work of many people. Juvenile Hurling Review 2004 While still at it's development stage the juvenile hurling section of Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA club is steadily making progress. With the commitment of mentors such as Harry Randle, Ken Mc Kenna, Donie Carey and Michael Burnell, our younger teams are in good hands. These committed mentors together with the valuable support of many of our parents have seen our teams compete well in all competitions this year. On the playing front our Minor team were unfortunate to lose out to Na Fianna in the semi final of the B Championship where Na Fianna went on to have a much more comfortable win in the final. Our under 14 team put in some fine performances in the Feile where they beat Turin, the visiting team from Westmeath on the opening night but found the going a little tougher against Naas and Dunderry were they were defeated. We are delighted with our performance as this is a very young Under 14 team with only three lads not eligible to play next year. Our Under 10 team took place in a Hurling Blitz hosted by St. Martins in August. The competition which was run as 13 a-side ground hurling saw our team coming home as runners up. This is a great result as it is the first time we have produced an under 10 team. Our Under 11 team had a great run in the championship and qualified for the semi final where the met Moylagh in Milltown. With one or two players away on holidays they met a strong visiting side but despite playing well they were unlucky to lose. The highlight of the juvenile Hurling season was our under 12 team's victory over a strong Dunboyne side to take the Under 12 C Hurling Championship title at Batterstown in September. Both sides produced some excellent displays of hurling and commitment in this tightly fought contest. The Dunboyne side got off to a good start with the help of a long-range goal that dropped in under the Donaghmore crossbar. Both sets of defenders were on top throughout the first half with the Dunboyne side leading at half time by 1-01 to 0-02. Playing against the wind in the second half the Donaghmore team never gave up and battled to the end. Dunboyne had a number of chances to finish off the game but a number of wides and a goal by Donaghmore's Eoin Hannon late in the second half set up a very exciting last few minutes. Both sides worked very hard to take control of the game but the vital score, a goal from Shane Melia in injury proved the match winner. Dunboyne did have a number of chances to get the draw but committed defending by the Donaghmore back line saw them hold on to the final whistle. Donaghmore Ashbourne - M. Burnell, C. Begley, S. Kent, D. Murtagh, N. Hannon, M O Meara, D. Carey (0-1), C. Walsh, C. Randle (0-01), E Hannon (1-0), S. Markham, S. Mellia (1-0), A. Colgan, Subs- D. Curran for S. Markham, C. Miller, M. Doherty, P. Giblin, E. O Hara, T. O Connor, C. Mc Weeney Juvenile Football Review 2004 Like the population of Ashbourne, the number of new members participating in the juvenile section of the Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA club has increased significantly over the past number of years. One such area where there is a visible increase in the numbers of children participating is our Acorns Section, the football nursery of the club. Our Super Summer Leagues took place during May and June this year and culminated in the finals taking place in the Wotton on 12th of June. Despite holidays and other activities there were in excess of 150 children in attendance and the day was a complete success. All the games were run off quite quickly and the children were presented with medals by Meath Star Dáithi Regan. Leading on from there we have in excess of one hundred children between the ages of 5 and 8 taking part in our Acorns group every Saturday morning. On a sad note our club lost a dear friend and hard working member of the club with the sudden death of Joe Curran in October. Joe was the driving force behind both the Super Summer Leagues and Acorns Group. In addition to the Acorns section that caters for the younger members of the club we have a successful structure in place that caters for teams within the Under 8, Under 9 age groups. Our Under 10 team took part in the East Section of the Meath Under 10 league. Although a non-competitive league our lads produced some fine displays of football to win all their matches. Our Under 12 A team had a quite successful league campaign but lost out in the semi-final to Clann na Gael. With many of the players in the team quite young we are hopeful to improve on this performance next year. Not to be outdone our under 12 B team also managed to reach the playoffs where we met a strong St. Colmcille side away from home. While the home side were much stronger our lads did produce a fine second half display to go home with honour. Again like the Under 12 A team this team has a number of younger members that will benefit from the experience for next year. Our Under 13 team had a good run in the league where the lost out in the semi-final of the league to a much bigger and more physical Na Fianna side in Summerhill. Despite the difference in size of both teams our lads fought to the end. Our Under 14 team had a good win over Seneschalstown in the first round of the championship but our interest in the Championship came to an end when they met a good Round Towers team in the quarter final at Slane. Congratulations go to Andrew Tormey, Darren O Sullivan and Cain Maguire who represented the club at County Under 14 level this year. Away from home the team had a most enjoyable weekend away in Belgium over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Also representing the club at County level during the year were Eoin O Reilly and Ciaran Finn at Under 16 grade and Rory Mc Carthy and Niall Farrell at Minor Level. In addition to the above players at county level our club was also delighted to be represented on the St. Patrick's Navan, All Ireland winning team by Michael Gleeson. Sisters are doing it for themselves Those of us that grew up in the 80's will remember this hit single from November 1985 for the Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin. This year it could have been re written and re-released by Donaghmore Ashbourne Ladies Football club such was their success on the field throughout the year. The hard work, dedication and commitment shown by everyone throughout the year helped to make this a very successful month for the club. Our Under 10 team had a fun filled and very successful season. We won 10 out of 11 league games and qualified for the County Final against Ratoath on 5th of September. Having lost the only league game to the same opposition, the final was going to be a huge challenge. In a low scoring and tight game we were very unlucky to lose out to bigger Ratoath team on a scoreline of 2-03 to 0-02. Strong performances from our goalkeeper Jessie Madden together with defenders Kate Heffernan and Sophie Geoghegan helped to keep us in touch at half time and we only trailed by 1-03 to 0-02. Our midfield pairing of Rachel Fenton and Michelle Peel put in great performances, with Rachel accounting for all our 1-02 scored. As the game wore on, Ratoath's size and strength advantage began to tell and despite heroic efforts by Shelby Leahy, Helen Moran and Ciara Menton in attack, it was not our day. With half of this year's squad still available at Under 10 we can look forward to another successful season next year. Good luck to the girls moving up to Under 12 level. Thanks also to all the mentors and parents for their support throughout the season. The Under 10 Squad was O. Cullen-Geraghty, R. Fenton, S. Geoghegan, H. Gilsenan, K. Heffernan, O. Henson, L. Kenny, S. Leahy, J. Madden, C. Menton, E. Moran, H. Moran, R. O'Keeffe, G. O'Sullivan, M. Peel, M. Power, M. Randle, R. Sinnott, P. Sweeney, J. Walton. Like our Under 10 team our Under 12 team went through a long season with eight wins and only one defeat (to Ratoath) and they also qualified for the County Championship Final. The final, a dream fixture with Ratoath took place on a wet and windy All Ireland Hurling Final Day in Dunboyne on the 12th of September. Team captain Katie Mc Shane opted to play against the elements in the first half - a brave tactical decision. The first half showed the real battling qualities of our girls, with Rebecca Walton and Lauren Lawton in the full back line together with Claire Mc Gonagle in goals safe as houses under the high balls in the windy conditions. The half back trio of Kattie Mc Shane, Grainne Field and Jeannie Donnelly fought for every ball and were very successful at containing Ratoaths star half- forward. The first half was and even contest with scores from Aideen Kenny (0-1) and Rachel Bruton (0-02) opening up a 0-03 to 0-01 lead after twenty minutes. Ratoath came into the game, making good use of the wind and drew level after 25 minutes but a cruel injury time deflection saw our girls trailing at half time by 0-03 to 1-03. The second half saw our girls producing an excellent all round performance as our mid field pairing of Maire O'Shaughnessy and Rachel Bruton took control straight from the throw in. The half forward line of Aideen Kenny, Kyna O'Connor and Alison Leahy ran their hearts out putting the Ratoath backs under serious pressure, while full forwards Shauna Lawton and Hayley Jenkinson battled with spirit against a taller full back line. The turning point came when substitute Jade Wearen opened the second half scoring. A further point followed this from Aideen Kenny and a magnificent 3-02 from Rachel Bruton followed. When the final whistle blew our girls had a very impressive 3-08 to 1-03 lead. The team and the huge travelling support enjoyed the traditional convoy back to the Wotton where players, mentors, proud parent and supporters reflected on a job well done. The Under 12 A Squad was K. O'Connor, H. Reidy, M. Carroll, M. O'Shaughnessy, C. Mc Gonagle, K. Mc Shane, J. Finlay, A. Kenny, J. Donnelly, E. Doyle, R. Bruton, L. Lawton, J. Moore, G. Field, S. Lawton, H. Jenkinson, R. Walton, J. Wearen, S. Hutton, A. Leahy, J. Kavanagh, C.Harkin. Such is the strength of the ladies football within the club we are unique within Meath as the only club to have two teams at Under 12 level. With a panel of over 30 girls in February we entered the league with our Under 12 B team to play A teams from ten other clubs from all over the county. At the end of the season our panel had increased to over 40 players with almost full turnouts for both training and matches. The team started with a draw in a friendly game against St. Margaret's and with many girls new to football they produced some fine performances in the league. They did suffer a few heavy defeats at the start of the season but this was understandable as these were at the hand of the teams who eventually contested the 12B final. Their sheer commitment and hard work paid off as they finished the season with three well deserved victories. In addition, eight of the panel got called up to join the 12 A panel for their County Final against Ratoath. With many of the girls still available at Under 12 we can look forward to another successful season next year Not to be outdone by the 12 A team the entire 12 B squad were invited to contest the inaugural Conway Cup between Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne. This game took place on Ratoath's main pitch on 18th of September. It was a keenly contested and exciting game, played in a friendly spirit. With our girls trailing at half time by the slenderest of margins, a solid second half display by our defence together with a prolific attack aided by a strong wind saw our girls leading when the final whistle blew. Jessica Finlay accepted the trophy as team captain and Ashbourne's Community Garda Bill Hoare presented Shauna Hutton with Player of the Match. The Under 12 B Squad was J. Kavanagh, M. Carroll, N. Hilton, R. Doogan, H. Reidy, E. Doyle, S. Hutton, J. Finlay, J. Moore, H. Corcoran, C. Dixon, S. McEvoy, L. Gormley, J. Woods, C. Kelly, A.N iCaba, L. Moggin, R. Ivory, R. Conroy, C. Donnelly, C. Monahan, G. Bonnar, J. Kerrigan, J. Kerrigan, C. Harkin. Our Under 16 team won all their games in Division 1 of the Championship to set up a mouth watering clash in the final with last years champions Dunboyne. Having been beaten in last years final by the same opposition our girls started with fierce determination to set the record straight this year. Following a goal from Caitríona O'Shaughnessy and four points from Liana Snowe our girls lead after 10 minutes by seven points. Two further points from Caitríona and a goal from Danielle Mongan left our girls in control at half time on a score line of 2-06 to 1-00. As expected, Dunboyne came to life in the second half and laid siege to our goal scoring two goals within a 10-minute spell to reduce the deficit to three points. However our girls did not panic and further score from Caitríona (0-03), Michelle Clarke (0-03), Ciara Lee Jenkinson (0-02) and Mariosa Molloy (0-01) left the final score at 2-15 to 5-01. Great celebrations followed as Danielle Mongan accepted the Cup on behalf of the team. This was a fitting finish to a very tough season for the team who got their just rewards for all the hard work and commitment that started back in the cold and wet nights of January last. This title completes a clean sweep of underage titles for the club over the last three years as we have now won U10, U12, U 13, U14 and now U 16 titles all at Division 1 level. The Under 16 squad was J. Kavanagh, K. Menton, N. Behan, R. McCarthy, M. Clarke, A. Henson, A. White, M. Molloy, L. Macken, S. Boxwell, R. Meehan, K. Macken, E. Kenna, M.K. Benville, R. Williams, A. Mulchrone. J. Moran, A. Moran, L. Snowe, A. Reidy, M. Finn, C. O'Shaughnessy, D. Mongan, C.L. Jenkinson, H. Lawton, E. Finnegan, C. McCarthy, A. Doherty, A. O'Rourke. After capturing the Junior B title last year our Adult team competed in the Junior A championship this year. The team had a successful run and reached the semi-final where they lost out to Royal Gaels. On the league front we competed in Division 2 of the all county league and fortunes were different in this competition. Having defeated the senior teams of Blackhall Gaels, Summerhill and Dunboyne together with the intermediate team Dunderry and junior teams Royal Gaels and Bellewstown we have qualified for the final of the Division 2 league final. The future of ladies football within the club looks very bright. With the average age of the current squad at 16 years this team, who are eager to work hard, learn and play with great pride, passion and discipline it is only a matter of time before top honours will be coming to the club. With qualification to this year's final giving automatic promotion to Division 1 the experience playing exclusively against senior teams should help in next years championship. The Adult Squad is A. O'Neill, R. Williams, C. Lawton, S. Boxwell, R. Mc Carthy, C. O'Shaughnessy, L. Conway, J. Moran, M. Clarke, M.R. McCann, N. Mooney, M. Molloy, E. Lynch, F. Fitzpatrick,. A. Fitzgearld, E. McNeilis, C. Flaherty, E. Kenna, A Ni Mhealoid. M. O'Shaughnessy, M. Finn, K. Macken, A. Henson, C.L Jenkinson. B. Clarke, C. Field, A. Kelly, J. Kavanagh, K. Menton, R. Meehan, L. Lynch, D. Mongan, L. Snowe, M. Mc Elhinney. U15 title arrives In another very close encounter in Duleek, Donaghmore/Ashbourne came out victors in the Division 1FL final replay in a very exciting match played in soft conditions. John Broderick started the scoring with the first point against the wind. 'Cilles levelled and went on to miss some easy chances. Stephen Dervan hit the back of the net with a cracker but Cilles finished the first half level with a scoreline of 1-1 to 0-4. Cilles went ahead by a point in the second half before Andrew Tormey crossed a ball which Faolain Smith connected with to end up in the net. Donaghmore/Ashbourne looked safe when they went four points up but to the credit of 'Cilles they never gave up and without the brilliant defending ofo Fionán Ó Maoilmhichíl, Iarlaith O'Donnell and Ciaran Ellis they could have stolen the day. David Morgan scored a super point from a 45 which the difference in score at the end. Cian McGuire and Eric Callaghan also played very well for the winners. This was a great team performance and discipline on the day won it for Donaghmore/Ashbourne. Donaghmore/Ashbourne - D. McShane, S. Robinson, F. Ó Maoilmhichíl, D. O'Sullivan, C. Ellis, D. Morgan (0-1), I. O'Donnell, J. Broderick (0-1), E. Callaghan, F. Smith (1-1), S. Dervan (1-1), B. Snowe, A. Tormey, K. Miller, C. McGuire. Subs: C. Field, S. Boland, G. Kennedy, S. O'Sullivan, C. Smith, B. Menton, G. Naughton, J. Noctor Tweet

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