Cilles’ championship hopes turn into Ashes
D’more/Ash Colmcille’s 4-11 0-12
THE concession of three goals in the opening half put paid to St Colmcille’s hopes in this MFC Final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
It was a disappointing outcome for the Cille’s who were attempting to bring the Delaney Cup back to the east coast for the second time in three years. They played well short of their best throughout and failed to recover from those early setbacks when Donaghmore/ Ashbourne struck for three majors inside 19 minutes.
The Cille’s never gave up the fight, but those goals proved a real confidence killer and the issue was decided long before referee Liam O’Brien blew his final whistle.
Talisman David Bell had the Cille’s up and running with the opening score inside 35 seconds after making an angle for himself before splitting the posts.
However, by the time Cille’s scored again their opponents had struck for two goals and a point. Full forward Simon Wilson hit the opening goal on 90 seconds with a fierce drive and Dawson Devoy added a point on five minutes. The Cille’s goal had a let-off when Devoy flashed an effort just wide of the post before a speculative effort from Kevin Cully went over the head of keeper Cian Flynn and nestled in the back of the net.
The east Meath side responded with points from Ben Wilde, a fine effort from 35 metres, and Bell to reduce the deficit. They could have been closer, but a stinging shot from Luke Brady was well saved by Ashbourne keeper Ethan Tormey.
Almost immediately the Ashbourne boys went on the attack and Darragh O’Sullivan was allowed cut in along the endline and finish to the net from a tight angle to put a further dent in Cille’s hopes.
It didn’t get any better for the Cille’s after that as Devoy (free), Andrew O’Dwyer and O’Sullivan added points to leave 10 between the sides on 24 minutes.
The seasiders enjoyed a good spell towards the end of the half with points from Ross Molloy (two), Luke Brady and Cathal Butler which left them trailing 0-7 to 3-6 at the break.
Ashbourne’s dominance in that first half stemmed from the supremacy of midfielders Cillian Hegarty and Killian Hogan, while the Cille’s defence was stretched time and again as they attempted to curb the threat posed by Simon Wilson, Devoy and O’Sullivan.
Devoy and substitute Sean O’Donoghue swapped points at the start of the second half, but St Colmcille’s were unable to make any inroads on the Ashbourne lead. Bell converted a free, but Hegarty pointed at the other end.
The score that put the game firmly out of reach arrived on 42 minutes when a flowing move involving Devoy and Evan Quinn ended with Matthew Crumlish applying the finishing touch to leave it 4-8 to 0-9.
Bell struck his fourth point and Ruairi Hanlon also converted a free before Ashbourne keeper Ethan Tormey hit a great long-range effort from a free between the posts. Earlier Tormey had moved smartly to save from Sean O’Donoghue.
Wilson and O’Sullivan had points to complete the winners tally as the Cille’s pressed hard for a consolation goal in the closing minutes. However, they had to be satisfied with a point as Luke Brady blasted over the bar in a crowded goalmouth.
After the match Donaghmore/ Ashbourne club man and minor chairman Conor Tormey had the happy task of presenting the Delaney Cup to winning captain David Carr. DONAGHMORE/ASHBOURNE: Ethan Tormey 0-1f; Andrew O’Dwyer 0-1, Karl Cassidy, Kevin Cully 1-0; Luke Barrett, David Carr; Matthew Crumlish 1-0; Cillian Hegarty 0-1, Killian Horgan; Evan Quinn, Darragh O’Sullivan 1-2 (0-1f), James Brady; Colm Cox, Simon Wilson 1-3, Dawson Devoy 0-3 (1f). Subs: David Keenan for Brady (44), Jamie Brown for Quinn (54), Dylan Rooney for Cully (57), Simon Purcell for Barrett (61), David Donnelly for Devoy (61).
ST COLMCILLE’S: Cian Flynn; Gary Burke, Hugo Collins, James Duffy; Oran Kinch, Aaron Lynch, Stephen Breen; Luke Brady 0-2, Daniel Doyle; Ruairi Hanlon 0-1f, Endy Ehichoya, Cathal Butler 0-1; David Bell 0-4 (2f), Ross Molloy 0-2, Ben Wilde 0-1. Subs: Sean O’Donoghue 0-1 for Duffy (24), Adam McCabe for Doyle (34), Ewan Coughlan for Wilde (38), Ferdia Quigley for Hanlon (54), Sean Collier for Ehichoya (60).
REF: Liam O’Brien (Duleek/Bellewstown) TUESDAY OCTOBER 16 Football B League at 8.0
Div 3: St Michael’s v Donaghmore/Ashbourne, P Mooney.
Div 4: Meath Hill v Moynalty, K Sheerin.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17
B League at 8.0
Div 5: Navan O’Mahonys v Kilbride, G Brennan.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18
Carlanstown: Syddan v Ballinlough, Corn na Boinne semi-final, 8.0, L Reddy.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19
Paddy O’Brien Park: St Vincent’s v Clann na nGael, Tailteann Cup semi-final, 8.0, C McManus.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20 Football B League at 4.0
Div 4: Bective v Cortown, M Dawson; Seneschalstown v Simonstown, P Mooney.
Div 5: Gaeil Colmcille v Ballinabrackey, P Clarke; O’Mahonys v Dunshaughlin, (7.0), T Lorton.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21
Athboy: Carnaross v Dunsany, Tailteann Cup semi-final, 1.0, A Smith.
Pairc Tailteann: Ballivor v Ratoath, JDFC Final, 3.0, F Scully.