Donaghmore / Ashbourne survive stern Summerhill challenge

Donaghmore / Ashbourne survived a late Summerhill challenge tonight at Dunganny in the A FL Div 1 final to win by a point, 1-10 to 2-6, as they added the Mooney Cup to the Feis Cup that they won at the same venue last September.

This was a hard-earned victory for Donaghmore / Ashbourne who where handed the initiative in the 19th minute when Summerhill were reduced to 14 men after Richie Hatton received a straight red card from referee Padraig Coyle.

Summerhill were ahead by 1-3 to 0-3 at that stage with Brian Ennis finding the net and a barce of points from Michael Byrne with one by Sean Dalton, a superb effort in the 12th minute.

Paul Gilligan, Dylan Brady and Andrew Tormey pointed for Donaghmore / Ashbourne in that opening period, but with the numerical advantage they were comfortable for the remainder of the half.

Brady added 1-1 and Cathal Field also sent over with the impressive Cian Devlin adding a late point for Summerhill who trailed by 1-4 to 1-5 at the interval.

Summerhill battled tenaciously after the resumption and points from Ennis and Barry Dardis sustained their challenge as Michael Deegan (two) and Conor Carton kept Donaghmore / Ashbourne in pole position - just.

Deegan and David Morgan added further points for Donaghmore / Ashbourne, but Barry Dardis fired a sensational goal for Summerhill with seven minutes remaining - it was the last score of the game.

Summerhill had plenty of chances for another point, but failed to hit the target (they tallied 13 wides) and Donaghmore / Ashbourne survived - just.