Donaghmore/Ashbourne issue strong statement of intent
They haven't gone away you know! After suffering the heartbreak of a late, late loss in round one Donaghmore/Ashbourne bounced back in some style at Pairc Tailteann to score a comfortable 2-15 to 1-6 win over Ballinabrackey.
The injury-time loss to Dunshaughlin in round one could have had a detrimental effect on Donaghmore/Ashbourne, but they showed no ill-effects as they produced an excellent performance.
Ballianbrackey's usual defensive style was pulled apart by Donaghmore/Ashbourne's relentless intensity and superb movement and with creativity all over the field they were simply stunning.
Semi-finalists in two of the last three years Donaghmore/Ashbourne signalled another serious statement of intent as they recovered from the concession of a brilliant early goal and outscored Ballinabrackey by 2-15 to 0-6 for the remainder.
That brilliant goal from Mark Coffey gave Ballinabrackey the perfect boost in the third minute as they looked to build on the promising performance they showed despite the two-point defeat by Summerhill in round one.
However, that was as good as it got for the Bracks as Donaghmore/Ashbourne drew level by the ninth minute with two frees from Darragh McGovern and a superb score from Jamie Browne.
Michael O'Sullivan (mark) traded points with Seamus Curry (free) as the sides went into the second quarter on level terms, but the remainder of the half belonged to Donaghmore/Ashbourne.
Thomas McGovern clipped over a brilliant point to make it 0-5 to 1-1 and Donaghmore/Ashbourne were never headed again as two frees from his twin Darragh and a seven minute hat-trick of points from Browne made it 0-10 to 1-1 at the break.
Ballinabrackey introduced the ill Damien Carroll for the second-half and that seemed to have the desired effect as his presence led to points from Niall Smullen and Danny Quinn (free), but Donaghmore/Ashbourne quickly reasserted control.
O'Sullivan with his second mark and a rasper from James Redmond wiped out that recovery and when Andy Tormey marked his 10 minute cameo with a goal from his third touch in the 42nd minute it made it 1-12 to 1-3.
Four minutes later Tormey was involved in the build up again before James Crumlish was fouled and Darragh McGovern converted the penalty to put 12 points between the sides.
The final quarter was academic. Both sides made a plethora of subs. The Bracks added points from a Quinn free and two superb scores from Smullen, but it was Donaghmore/Ashbourne's evening as Bryan Menton, Darragh McGovern and sub Dillon O'Brien (free) closed the scoring to cap an excellent team display.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne - Andy Colgan; Aaron McLoughlin, James Redmond (0-1), Conor Carton; Evan Quinn, Shane Melia, Cillian Hegarty; Sean Curran, Jamie Browne (0-4); Bryan Menton (0-1), Darragh McGovern (1-5 1-0 penalty, three frees), Thomas McGovern (0-1); James Crumlish, Dylan Brady, Michael O'Sullivan (0-2 marks). Subs - Andy Tormey (1-0) for Brady 39m, Steven Carton for Redmond 48m, Dillon O'Brien (0-1 free) for Tormey 49m, Brady for O'Sullivan 56m.
Ballinabrackey - Dean Pluck; Conor Ennis, Chris O'Connor, Adam O'Brien; Mark Coffey (1-0), Nicky Judge, Sean Fitzpatrick; Michael Kearney, Sean Coffey; Niall Smullen (0-3 one free), David Carroll, Sean Bannon; Seamus Curry (0-1 frees), Danny Quinn (0-2 frees), Sean Kavanagh. Subs - Damien Carroll for Fitzpatrick half-time, Gavin Quinn for Kavanagh 42m, Richie Coffey for Bannon 47m, Barry Thompson for Curry 50m, Andrew O'Brien for Kearney 57m.
Referee - Kieran Olwill (Moynalty).