Kilmainham no match for dominant Donaghmore/Ashbourne
Donaghmore/Ashbourne... 1-15
Kilmainham...0-5
A depleted Kilmainham headed up the N2 for a clash with Donaghmore/Ashbourne's second team in this A FL Div 3A tie on Thursday evening.
The weather forecast was for yet more rain, and it didn’t disappoint. A terrible night for football for both teams where it rained from start to finish but the pitch to its credit held up very well.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne were unbeaten in their first two league matches, and their senior team had just won the Feis Cup the previous night.
A patched up Kilmainham side started the match trying to stay as compact as possible to frustrate a youthful Donaghmore/Ashbourne team.
For the opening 10 minutes both teams were trying to get to grips with the conditions as much as anything with Dylan Morgan sending over our first point of the match and unlucky with another effort that tailed wide.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne were starting to find their range with Andrew Tormey starting to pull the strings in attack.
A lot of direct running off the shoulder by Donaghmore/Ashbourne was starting to pay dividends as they got some very well worked team scores with ease. Dylan Morgan popped over another point.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne finished the first half, kicking the next four points in a row to take a commanding 0-9 to 0-2 lead at half time.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne kicked the first point of the second half. Dylan Morgan who was closely marked all night by the opposition defence converted a point from a long ball into the full forward line.
There was more fight in Kilmainham in the second-half, but Donaghmore/Ashbourne were always in control and were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Kilmainham then lost Andy Arkins to injury. Points from Shane Morgan and Mark Newman ended our scoring on a night to forget for the visitors.
A youthful Donaghmore/Ashbourne team guided by the experienced Andrew Tormey running out comprehensive winners on the night.
"Our lads need to forget about this match, reset and work on our injuries to get bodies back for the next match" commmented clubman Harry Newman.
"We look forward to welcoming Blackhall Gaels GFC to Kilmainham four our next league outing on Saturday 13th April with a 6pm throw in. Thanks very much to the few dedicated club members who braved the elements on a horrible night for football to support their team."
Best for Kilmainham were - Dean Peppard, Stephen Newman, Larry Morgan and Padraic Caffrey.
Kilmainham - Dean Peppard, Padraic Caffrey, Stephen Newman, Phily Mahon, Paddy Hennigan, Seanie Mahon, Declan Mullen, Larry Morgan, Barry Lynch, Andy Arkins, Dylan Morgan (0-3), Shane Morgan (0-1), Johnny Quinlan, Mark Newman (0-1), Shane Butler. Subs - Terence Daly for Andy Arkins and Fergal Black for Phily Mahon and Stephen Woods for Shane Butler.