Syddan draw no comfort

SYDDAN DONAGHMORE/ASH 3-11 2-14

SYDDAN lifted themselves out of the relegation zone, but this share of the spoils felt like a loss in the IFC at Pairc Tailteann last Saturday.

The north Meath outfit led by 10 points in the third quarter, but the game changed dramatically after that and Syddan failed to score in the final 15 minutes. That allowed Donaghmore/Ashbourne gain the initiative and, boosted by a tally of 1-5 without reply, they forced a draw.

The equaliser came in added time from Sam Benville who split the posts from out on the left wing, and two minutes earlier Matthew Devine had converted from the penalty spot to leave the minimum between the teams.

All three Syddan goals arrived in the opening half, the first after just three minutes from wing back Stuart Fedigan. That boosted Syddan, who were without the injured Daire Rowe, into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead.

Gary Farrelly and Sean Clare accounted for the earlier points and Syddan continued to pick off their scores in impressive style for the remainder of the half.

Ashbourne improved following a slow start and with Devine prominent in attack they reduced the deficit to a single point by the eighth minute.

However Syddan were the dominant side throughout the half and their second goal, a fisted effort from Gary McManus, came after a Gary Farrelly attempt failed to reach its destination.

It got even better for Syddan after that as Michael Fedigan pointed a free and then booted a loose ball to the net after Kevin Traynor’s goal attempt had been blocked by keeper Donal McShane.

Shane Rea replied with a point for Ashbourne, but at the break Syddan held a commanding 3-6 to 0-7 lead.

That lead increased following pointed frees from Fedigan and Gary Farrelly and 10 points still separated the teams after Graham Garland’s point on 37 minutes.

Syddan only managed two more scores, from Cormac Rowe and Paddy Farrelly, and the Ashbourne men gradually worked their way back into contention.

Substitute Kevin Fenton hit their opening goal, and while their finishing was erratic at times they then added four points before snatching that late goal and a point to preserve their unbeaten record in the group.

Syddan had a late chance to win it, but Gary Farrelly dragged a long-range free wide of the target. DONAGHMORE/ASHBOURNE: