Final ticket for Donaghmore / Ashbourne

Donaghmore / Ashbourne made it across the line to earn a SFC final ticket with a hard-earned 1-9 to 0-8 victory against Skryne at Páirc Tailteann this afternoon.

Manager Sean Kelly admitted afterwards that his team will have to find some serious improvement when they tackle Simonstown this day fortnight in the decider.

Wind-assisted Skryneonly managed three pointed first-half frees from Paddy O'Rourke as they trailed by four points (0-3 to 1-4) at the interval following a slow-burner of an opening 30 minutes.

Both sides had goal chances in that opening half also, but it was Andy Tormey who found the net for a crucial score close to the interval.

That goal was augmented by points from Tormey,Cathal Field, Paul Gilligan and Michael Deegan who limped out of the action after 12 minutes and was replaced by Ciaran Ellis.

Skryne played better against the wind, but it was still a fairly tame exit by the Tara men.

However, they made a brave bid to get back into contention after the break with points from O'Rourke (two, one free), Mark Battersby, Bryan Davis and Ciaran Lenehan's late effort before he collected a second yellow card.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne matched Skryne with five second-half points also as Gilligan (three, two frees and a '45'), Tormey (free) and Bryan Menton managed to split the posts.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne - Jack Hannigan; Daragh McGovern, James Colgan, JP Casserly; Sean Curran, Thomas McGovern, Paul Gilligan (0-4 three frees, one '45'); Conor Carey, David Morgan; Cathal Field (0-1), Conor Carton, Michael Deegan (0-1); Dylan Brady, Andrew Tormey (1-2 frees), Bryan Menton (0-1). Subs - Ciaran Ellis for Deegan 12 mins, Eoighan Riordan for Casserly 48m, Aidan Hughes for McGovern 54m.

Skryne - Felim O'Rourke; Eoghan Greene, Ciaran Lenehan (0-1), Mark Jordon; Tomas McKeown, Donie Ryan, Niall Lenehan; Aidan Tuite, Harry Rooney; Eoin Smyth, Darragh Campion, Stephen O'Brien; Conor O'Brien, Paddy O'Rourke (0-5 four frees), Mark Battersby (0-1). Subs - Bryan Davis (0-1) for O'Brien 25 mins, Paddy Fox for O'Rourke 53m, John Morley for Tuite 57m, Mark Harrington for Campion 59m.

Referee - Liam O'Brien (Duleek/Bellewstown).