See off Carnew
Verbruggen surged forward to score a point to reduce the deficit, while half-time substitute Luke Sheridan also got his name on the score sheet with a point from play which inspired his team mates to up their game.
Brian Shannon added a point from play and, after Ashford recorded three wides in a row, up stepped Shannon once again with another point from play to bring the sides level at 0-6 each ten minutes into the second half.
Carnew rallied and were rewarded with a point each from Stephen Murphy and Wayne Brennan, both from play, while Michael Osborne added one from a free to give them a 0-9 to 0-6 at the end of the third quarter.
At this stage the home side set about reducing the lead and from here Carnew struggled for the remainder of the half as the home side took complete control with midfielders David Nolan and Sean Duffy upping their game to give the forwards a good supply.
The winners were given a boost when a mix up in the Carnew defence resulted in half-time substitute Luke Sheridan scoring a fine goal to bring the sides level at 0-9 to 1-6.
Riain Dwyer and Brian Shannon increased the lead with a point each to give Ashford a two-point lead at 1-8 to 0-9.
The remainder of the game saw the winners finish much stronger with David Nolan in sparkling form where he showed his scoring ability as landed four points in succession (two frees), while Luke Sheridan added his second point from play before the winners sealed victory with a goal from Ruadhan Fallon Verbruggen while Carnew’s only reply was a point from a Michael Osborne free in what was a frustrating last quarter for the Emmets.
The last round of matches will see Ashford play host to Avoca while Carnew Emmets will face Bray Emmets.
Scorers – Ashford: Luke Sheridan 1-2, Ruadhan Fallon Verbruggen 1-1, Brian Shannon 0-5 (2f), Davin Nolan 0-4 (3f), Riain Dwyer 0-1.
Carnew Emmets: Michael Osborne 0-6 (4f), Darragh Kelly 0-1, Gary Doran 0-1, Stephen Murphy 0-1, Wayne Brennan 0-1.
Adrian Marah; Cian Staunton, Zach Collier Lee, Danny Turner; Riain Dwyer, Conor Behan, Ruadhan Fallon Verbruggen; David Nolan, Sean Duffy; James Clarkson, Brian Shannon, Lee Fitzpatrick; Nigel Dunne, Darren Doyle, Conor Cunningham. Subs: Luke Sheridan for James Clarkson, Gary McCann for Darren Doyle, Ross Hamilton for Nigel Dunne.
Robert Roche; Thomas Kinsella, Drew Brennan, Thomas Collins; Paul Murphy, Diarmuid Doran, Liam Kenny; Gary Doran Jack Kearney; Stephen Murphy, Michael Osborne, Wayne Brennan; Quentin House, Darragh Kelly, Martin Murphy. Sub: Colm Murphy for Quentin House.
John O’Brien (Newcastle) JBFC Group 1
Blessington Dunlavin An Tóchar
JBFC Group 2 Baltinglass Kiltegan St Patrick’s Newtown
JBFC Group 3 Hollywood Enniskerry AGB Avondale PWD LF A DP 1 1 0 0 34 9 25 2 00000 0 00 1 0 0 1 9 34 -25 0
22000 22000 31020 30030
0 04 0 04 0 02 0 00
2 2 0 0 33 25 8 4 2 1 0 1 36 33 3 2 2 1 0 1 32 38 -6 2 2 0 0 2 27 32 -5 0
JBFC Group 4
Avoca 2 2 0 0 38 16 22 4 Bray Emmets 2 1 0 1 27 31 -4 2 Ashford 2 1 0 1 29 26 3 2 Carnew 2 0 0 2 15 36 -21 0