The adult hurling team had a great start to the season as their first official outing of the year saw them bring home their first silverware since 1994. The St Patrick's weekend saw them play Blackhall Gaels in the 2005 Grade 1 Hurling league final in Ratoath. The team got off to a perfect start when Ian Dowd forced the ball over the line within 40 seconds following a goalmouth scramble from an Adrian McManus long range free. Adrian added two further points from frees as both sides battled well throughout the first half. Blackhall Gaels did get a number of scores late in the first half before Colm O'Mealoid gave our lads the lead going in to the break with a well taken point from play in injury time. The second half was a tough close affair but our lads played extremely well and never gave up. We were the hungrier team and wanted the victory more but playing against a senior team we found it hard to pull away even though we looked the better team throughout. The team did keep working and the turning point of the match came when a long range free from Adrian Mc Manus seemed to come off the cross bar and the keeper to end up in the net with four minutes to go. Both sides traded points in the final stages with Colm O'Mealoid capping a fine display with a well taken score. It was a good all round team performance with every one of the eighteen players playing their part, however there were notable contributions form Colm O'Mealoid, Noel Woods, Padraig Finn and Adrian Mc Manus. Captain Noel Woods accepted the Cup from Brian Smyth and paid tribute to all the players on the panel and the management team as this was a just reward for the hard work put in by all involved. He also paid tribute to Blackhall Gaels and hope that Donaghmore Ashbourne could follow their example by making it to the senior ranks in the very near future. Donaghmore Ashbourne: Morgan Garry; Paul Finglas, Eamonn Hogan, Peter Whyte; Fiach O'Loingsigh, Adrain McManus(1-3), Colin Garry; Noel Woods, Padraig Finn; Colm O'Mealoid (0-1), Peter Whitty, Ciaran Finn; Patrick Mc Cabe, Ian Dowd, (1-0), Fionan O'Moaolmhichil. Subs: Colin Sutton for Mc Cabe, Fintan Bonnar for Garry, Terry Bruton for Whitty. Although we started off the season in winning form we were unable to keep this momentum up throughout the season and unfortunately we did not qualify for the play off stages of the championship. The first game in the championship saw our lads lose out to Wolfe Tones in a game that although we were not at out best we should have won. A couple of late scores from the opposition saw us leave Ratoath very disappointed. In the second round game we managed to get things back on track and although missing a couple of regular players we ran out comfortable winners against Gaeil Colmcille. Our third game saw our lads paired with Longwood who dropped down from the senior ranks this year and our lads competed well and managed to share the spoils. Round four saw our lads lose out to Dunderry by a point scored in the last minute and unfortunately the following game against Kilskyre also ended in defeat. A comprehensive win against St Patrick's in the penultimate round left the lads needing a win in the final game against Na Fianna together with a couple of other results going our way give us an outside chance of qualification in the playoffs. Unfortunately in this game we never played to our full potential and could only manage a draw which saw our championship run come to an end. In addition to playing at Intermediate grade we also entered a team in the Junior Championship. While results did not go our way throughout the year the important factor is that we are able to provide games for that large number of young lads who are eager to play hurling. Hopefully the experience being gained this year will stand to help us in the long run. In the league competition we struggled to play to our full potential and while we managed a victory over local neighbours Ratoath but suffered defeats to Kilskyre, Gaeil Colmcille and Na Fianna. Underage hurling At underage level our hurling committee has put a considerable amount of work into promoting the game at the younger age groups. Over the winter period a joint venture between the Hurling and Camogie section saw our younger players being coached in the Community Centre every Saturday afternoon. One of the highlights of the year was our Under 8 team under the guidance of Aonghus Mulvihill and Padraig Durkan who played their first game of their career away to Ratoath. Hopefully this will be the start of a long hurling career with Donaghmore Ashbourne. It was a truly enjoyable morning for all involved as the boys and girls gave a great display of skills. For sprit and commitment the team of the season must go to the Under 11 team under the guidance of Harry, Ken and Davy. The team of both boys and girls worked very hard training before the season started. In the group stages they managed to achieve victories over Rathmolyon and Na Fianna but found the Ratoath, Dunboyne and Blackhall Gaels teams a little more difficult. Working very hard throughout the season they eventually qualified for the County B Championship where they met Rathmolyon in the final at Kilmessan on All-Ireland Hurling final weekend. And what a game it was. Both sides although not playing in their traditional colours of green due to a colour clash produced one of the best games of commitment, heart and skill since Culchulain first picked up the ash in the North Louth Area. Unfortunately from Donaghmore Ashbourne's point of view we were on the wrong side of the score line but our players could not have given anymore. This was a game that had everything; it had chances, wides, goals, points, saves and even extra time. Despite having the better of the first half we were ahead on a score line of 1-0 to 0-0 but should have been further ahead if we had taken some of our easier chances. In an epic second half battle the tie swung the way of both sides in the final minutes but at the end of the match both sides were level on a score line of 2-0 to 1-3. With 10 minutes of extra time per side (at full hurling) it was anyone game as there was nothing between the teams. Rathmolyon started the stronger and opened the scoring with a point to go into the extra time break slightly ahead. Aidan O'Connor managed to draw the sides level with a well taken free two minutes after the restart of extra time. Again with five minutes to go both sides played their hearts out and gave it 100%. Although Ciaran Sutton pulled off another save on 15 minutes he could do nothing about the Rathmolyon goal a minute later. Our team could have dropped their heads at this point but kept playing and worked the ball up the field where Mark Donnelly drew the sides level with his third goal of the afternoon. It looked as if this final was going to a replay but with a minute to go Rathmolyon score the decisive point to go into the lead. The team tried very hard to work the ball back up the field but were unable to get the lucky break to get the equalising score. Final Score: Donaghmore Ashbourne 3-01 Rathmoylon 2-05. Naturally when the final whistle went, our team, mentors and supporters were shattered. After their performance it's very hard to be on a losing side but this team could not have given any more in terms of heart, hard work and commitment. Donaghmore Ashbourne: Ciaran Sutton; Cathy Giblin, Daragh Walsh, Michael Deegan, Aidan O Connor, Maggie Randle; Liam Finn, Jamie Murtagh, David Sutton, Shelby Leahy, Cian Field, Mark Donnelly, Scott Crowley. Subs: Sean Dumphy for Jamie Murtagh, Daragh Kelly for Cian Field. At Under 12 level our team managed to reach the semi-final of the championship where we drew Dunderry away from home. Although the home side was a lot bigger we managed to match them score for score in the early stages. A couple of scores late in the first half proved the turning point in the game and the home side grew in confidence. Our team did work hard and never gave up and although we had a couple of goal chances late on, maybe on another day we may have raised the green flag. The home side held out for a comfortable win and a place in the final. Naturally the team was very disappointed at the final whistle but could hold their heads high as they did the club proud. Well done to all involved. At Under 14 level we entered a young team in the competition many of who are eligible to play next season. While the team could not be faulted for commitment and heart we were unfortunate not to have a couple of victories but as usual the team could not be faulted for commitment and hard work. At Under 16 level we also had a very young panel to pick from and like our Under 14 team the lads could not be faulted for commitment and heart. The highlight of the year was our home game against eventual finalists St. Martin's where we gave a lot away in terms of physical size but matched them in skill. When the final whistle was blown there was very little between the teams. At minor level our team qualified for the semi final of their competition and was paired with Kilmessan in Ratoath. Unfortunately the opposition proved very strong in the first half but to our credit the lads gave an excellent performance in the second half to could out of the fixture with their heads held high. In addition to playing in Meath our under 12 Hurling team made travelled to Kingscourt, Co. Cavan in May to officially launch underage hurling in the Kingscourt Stars GAA Club. Underage Hurling in the Cavan club is being developed under the guidance of former Donaghmore Ashbourne player Willie Gaughan. The club wishes Willie, his fellow mentors and coaches every success in developing the hurling in Kingscourt. Adult football Having failed to make the knock out stages of the championship in 2005 our Intermediate Team's target for 2006 was qualification this time round and possibly promotion to Division 2 of the league. Having started back training in the first week of January everyone in the panel was focused on the task ahead. Numbers at training were good and the work was being put in. When the championship started our lads knew that like every other year it would be one game at a time. Our first round game was a repeat of the 2005 opening round with Carnaross the opponents. Having drawn with Carnaross in the first round match last year this game would be regarded as an indication of the progress made by the team over the last twelve months. Having the underdog tag going into the game it was important that we got off to a good start to settle the nerves. Although we hit eleven wides and trailed by two points at the break we managed to produce a better second half performance to run out 1-12 to 2-05 winners. Our second round game was also a repeat of the 2005 fixture where we drew with Drumconrath on that occasion. This time out we had a six point winning margin to make it two wins out of two. Round three of the competition saw the lads have a 0-12 to 0-06 double score victory over Dunderry and remain top of the table as we entered July. When we met Na Fianna in round four at the end of July the Enfield team were going through a rough patch and were missing a couple of players. However our lads never lost focus and although it was a month since the previous championship match we had achieved our goal of qualification following a 0-15 to 1-07 victory over the Enfield side. At this point in the season having played some very good football and achieving four wins out of four we had to re-examine our targets and set the bar higher. Our next aim was to continue the winning run of form and qualify as group leaders. While no one within the team or panel actually spoke about it, deep down there was possible thoughts of intermediate success but there was still a long way to go. Round five of the competition gave us a fixture at headquarters in Navan. The Friday evening game in Pairc Tailteann in mid August saw us paired with fellow top of the table side Gaeil Colmcille of Kells. Although not playing our best on the night we did manage to see off the opposition with a 1-09 to 0-10 score line and gained a lot of confidence from the result. Our penultimate game in the group stages was against Ballivor in Kilmessan. Although we recorded a 0-11 to 0-06 victory we had the greater amount of possession on the day and should have run out more comfortable winners. This result made it six wins out of six which is something that the club has not managed for a very long time. Although qualification was secured the match against Castletown was important as they were also unbeaten in the competition to date. The winners of this game would top the group and possibly have the easier (if there is such a thing in championship football) game in the quarter final stage. In a game of two halves we trailed at the break by 2-06 to 0-03 as we were second in every department on the field. Following a regrouping at the interval we did restore some pride and played much better football. Unfortunately when the final whistle went our comeback just fell short and we suffered our first championship defeat of the season on a score line of 1-12 to 2-10. Having suffered defeat we did have a couple of weeks to work and improve on things as we planned for the game against Rathkenny in the quarter-final. Playing for the third week in a row in Seneschalstown we underperformed and made our exit from the championship in a disappointing manner. Having only scored one point from play in the first half we trailed at the break by 0-03 to 1-05. Although we did have the better of the second half we only managed a goal from Ian Dowd with three minutes to go to add to a free on the 37th minute and lost out on a final score line of 1-04 to 1-08. Although we did mange our early season target of qualification for the play offs it would be fair to say that it was a very disappointing end to the season as we should have achieved a lot more. With Rathkenny going on to win the intermediate title following our elimination for the competition it does make it harder for all of us to reflect on a year that could have been much, much better. Following our breakthrough at Junior C level last year our junior team set a target of avoiding relegation as we made the step up to Junior B. Our first game was against Moynalty and unlike ourselves this was their first team and although we did try hard we found the opposition much better as they ran out comfortable 0-07 to 0-16 winners. In round two we recorded our first victory with a win over Cortown and this was followed by our second win of the competition with a win over Bellewstown. We also recorded a three point victory over Na Fianna, (who later withdrew from the competition) and with O'Mahonys also withdrawing from the competition we had gained a place in the knock out stages of the competition. Although qualified we did suffer defeats at the hands of Dunshaughlin and Blackhall Gaels. Our quarter final match took place in Kilberry with the opposition St. Brigid's looking to go one step further than last year as beaten finalists. Our team was missing a couple of key players on the night and although some of our minor players made their debut in championship football we found it difficult to match a very strong and focused side. When the final whistle went we trailed the eventual Championship winners by 1-04 to 1-14. At Under 21 level our first team had a disappointing night in Ardcath as they lost their first round game to Seneschalstown on a score line of 1-6 to 0-10. We did have enough possession to win this game but were guilty of overplaying the final ball. At the other end of the field we had restricted the blue and gold to only two of their scores from play. Our Under 21 B team has yet to play their first game of the competition. In conclusion, the start of the season many of our players, management and supporters would have considered qualification to the knock out stages of the championship as an indication of progress, however, considering our performances early in the year and our position in the championship it would be fair to say that we should have achieved much more. Hopefully we can learn from this year's journey and go that step further next year. Camogie Even though we are going through a difficult time on the playing front our camogie section are working very hard to promote the game and encourage new players to join the club. In the early part of the year Bronagh and her team took the initiative to visit the primary schools in the area and introduce new players to the game. The scheme ran in St Delcan's, St. Mary's and Gael Scoil na Cille over a number of weeks and this initiative was also complimented with underage camogie for our younger members in the Community Centre over the Winter and Spring period. This season we managed to field teams at Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 age groups together with an adult team at junior level. While our numbers are small the quality is improving and this has been reflected at County team level with Emer Keavney and Jenny Long representing the club at Under 16 grade. They were part of the Meath team that reached the All Ireland semi final this year. Also representing the club at county team level are Roisin Williams at minor and Lizzy Lynch together with Aoife O'Neill at junior level. No doubt the seeds of this years work will be evident in years to come. Tweet

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