Donaghmore/Ashbourne equipped to take another step in the right direction

There has been a sense of expectation around Donaghmore/Ashbourne for a few years now - that they have the talent, the resources, the structures to win the Keegan Cup. Donaghmore last won the SFC in 1942. The question of belief remains as they face up to a tough quarter-final with Dunboyne at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening, 6.45. Dunboyne have been there or thereabouts for over a dozen years now and on two occasions they have gone on to capture the main prize with glorious victories in 1998 and 2005. However, there is still a feeling of unfinished business for Dunboyne since their last win six years ago. That victory was tainted by the controversy that surrounded their semi-final win over O'Mahonys when the Navan side used a substitute too many and were subsequently disqualified which allowed Dunboyne advance to the final. Since then Dunboyne have been endeavouring to win the Keegan Cup and last year they went close before being shut out by a point by eventual champions Skryne. It was felt that after going so close last year that Dunboyne might have exhausted their commitment, but they bounced back well to top Group C and secure their quarter-final spot yet again. However, topping the group wasn't as comprehensive as it might sound. Dunboyne actually finished with a negative scoring difference following three narrow wins and a heavy defeat by Skryne in the last round, although they were already qualified for the quarter-finals by that stage. That inability to pull clear when in command will be a worry for manager Robbie Brennan. For a team with genuine title aspirations, and with no disrespect to Walterstown, St Patrick's and Duleek/Bellewstown, Dunboyne should have had little difficult in securing wins over that trio, but they limped to one-point wins over Duleek/Bellewstown and St Patrick's and only saw off Walterstown by two points. Those results suggest an obvious weakness which Donaghmore/Ashbourne will be aiming to exploit and despite their levels of inconsistency over the last few years they should have enough to make it to the last four this time around. After losing to Skryne in last year's quarter-final Donaghmore/Ashbourne have to believe that they still have youth and experience on their side to make an impact for a couple more years, but when they opened the new campaign in April with a 2-8 to 2-9 defeat by Rathkenny, questions about heart, commitment and hunger were raised again. A defeat by Navan O'Mahonys in round two left Andy McEntee's (pictured) men with a huge mountain to climb, but they responded superbly with wins over Dunshaughlin, Nobber and Seneschalstown to book their knock-out berth. Now there is a feeling that after doing all the hard work of recovering from the brink of disaster Donaghmore/Ashbourne have what it takes to have a major say in the destination of the Keegan Cup. They proved they have the desire and attitude to dig deep and with key players like Eoin Reilly, Cormac McGill, Bryan Menton, Ciaran Ellis and David Morgan all finding top form it augurs well for them against a Dunboyne side that has struggled to inspire confidence.