Donaghmore/Ashbourne: 7-09 St. Michael’s: 2-11

Donaghmore/Ashbourne kicked off their senior championship campaign in a sunny Carlanstown against St. Michaels.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne we’re bolstered by their returning All-Ireland champions Maire O’Shaughnessy and Aoibhin Cleary. The match got off to a bad start for Donaghmore/Ashbourne with a knee injury to the unfortunate Hannah Slattery who won the ball from the throw in, Cate Cooney came on as replacement. A speculative  ball from Aoibhin In the 4th minute lead to the first score a goal for Donaghmore/Ashbourne, this was followed by Abbie Timmons and Catriona O’Shaughnessy points in the 6th and 8th minutes before St.Michaels registered their first point in the 9th minute. Clodagh Millington was forced off with an injury on 15 minutes and was replaced by Eabha Magee. A great run and powerful shot by Maire O’Shaughnessy just after the water break couldn’t be kept out by the St. Michaels goalkeeper. There then followed a purple patch from St.Michaels who notched up 1-3 without reply before Donaghmore/Ashbourne added to the score with points from Abbie and 2 from Katie Twomey sent them into the halftime break with a 3 point cushion. 

HT Donaghmore/Ashbourne: 2-5 St. Michaels: 1-5 

The 2nd half got off to a slow start with a number of wides from both teams. In the 10th minute Cate Cooney was replaced by Hannah Keogh. Donaghmore/Ashbourne up the pace and in a blistering 7 minute period that followed the game was ended as a contest when Donaghmore/Ashbourne scored 5 goals. A high ball in from Catriona O’Shaughnessy hit the post and an ever vigilant Abbie Timmons pounced and dispatched it to the net. Shortly after young Ciara Doherty jinxed her way through the St.Michaels defence to score a fine individual goal. Ciara was on target again after a great run by Eabha Magee another young debutant  set her up for her 2nd goal. Catriona O’Shaughnessy scored another goal after a super  pass from Katie Twomey put her through on goal. Katie another debutant on the day made a huge contribution to the team. Ciara Doherty completed her hatrick with another goal. After the water break more points followed from Abbie Timmons, Claire Mullen and Catriona. Great support play and a solid defence was a feature of this display.

All in all this was a very encouraging start to the Championship and the blend of youth and experience worked very well for Ian Fagan,s team. Confidence will be high but they will be well aware it will be another huge step up when they face the county Champions Dunboyne at home next weekend. 

Donaghmore Ashbourne: Chanice Dolan, Marie Heffernan, Katie Carragher, Aoisle Lawlor, Hannah Slattery, Aoibhin Cleary 1-1, Clodagh Millington, Claire Mullen 0-1, Ciara Lawlor, Catriona O Shaughnessy 1-2, Maire O Shaughnessy 1-0, Katie Twomey 0-2, Abbie Timmons 1-3, Aoife O Rourke, Ciara Doherty 3-0, Cate Cooney, Hannah Keogh, Sarah Markham, Sarah O Connor, Shannon Condon, Katie Gorman, Eabha Magee, Maggie Randle 

Referee: Paul Burke

Tweet

Most Read Stories