Donaghmore/Ashbourne produce a masterclass

So much was promised, but in the end Donaghmore/Ashbourne had it all their own way as they comfortably swept aside Simonstown's challenge to complete a remarkable double at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday by lifting u-21 FC title with a devastating display. Both sides had produced impressive performances in reaching the final and this was billed as a potential thriller, but just like the Haye v Harrison World Heavyweight Championship fight on Saturday night the contest turned out to be a giant anti-climax as Donaghmore/Ashbourne overwhelmed Simonstown. The Navan side hardly landed a blow on the formidable Donaghmore/Ashbourne side. They did enjoy six enterprising minutes at the end of the opening half when they rattled off three points and should have had a penalty, but for the rest of the game they were a long way off the pace. For the boys from Donaghmore/Ashbourne the win capped a remarkable afternoon as they became the first club in Meath GAA history to win two championships at u-21 level in the same year. Simonstown didn't lack effort, heart or determination as Sean Tobin and Ian O'Rourke worked hard at midfield and Shane Barry, David Moran and Shane McGivney also gave everything, but they were no match for a Donaghmore/Ashbourne side that included several of the club's senior panel. Andrew Tormey was magnificent for the winners, while Matthew Devine and Stephen Kavanagh also impressed in a magnificent forward division. Bryan Menton and David Morgan were a driving force from midfield and with Sean Curran, Gavin Kennedy and Iarlaith O'Donnell in fine form at the back they held Simonstown scoreless for the second-half. It was clear from as early as the fourth minute that Donaghmore/Ashbourne were too strong for Simonstown. The impressive Ciaran Ellis raced clear from midfield to open the scoring after three minutes and seconds later Devine held off the challenge of Moran to bury the ball in the back of the net. Tormey and Morgan added superb points as Donaghmore/Ashbourne opened up a 1-3 to 0-0 lead inside nine minutes. Stephen Moran saw his dipping shot drop over the bar for Simonstown's opening score, but they failed to score for 18 minutes as points from Devine, Morgan, Faolain Smith, Cathal Field and Ellis stretched Donaghmore/Ashbourne's advantage to 1-8 to 0-1. Simonstown's best spell saw Shane Barry and Tobin close the gap and they could have had a penalty when Moran looked to be fouled by Ellis. Referee Seamus O'Connor waved away the penalty appeals and Ellis was forced out of the action with an injury picked up as he made the tackle. O'Rourke slotted over the score of the game three minutes into first-half injury-time to close the gap to 0-4 to 1-8 at the break and give Simonstown so hope, but that proved to be a false dawn as they failed to score after the break. Donaghmore/Ashbourne slipped into cruise control after the resumption as the game became a bore. The winners comfortabley had the measure of everything Simonstown could throw at them and when Tormey added a superb goal to a fine point from Smyth it signalled the end for Simosntown. The Navan players battled on bravely and continued to show heart and desire, but Donaghmore/Ashbourne won pulling up with points from Eric Callaghan (two), Morgan, Cormac Fagan, Devine and Field further emphasising the supremacy the winners enjoyed. Donaghmore/Ashbourne – S Kent; J P Casserly, S Curran, G Kennedy; C Ellis (0-2), I O'Donnell, R Hanway; D Morgan (0-3), B Menton; C Field (0-1), A Tormey (1-1), E Callaghan (0-2); F Smith (0-2, one free), S Kavanagh, M Devine (1-2). Subs – F Mulvihill for Ellis 30mins, C Fagan (0-1) for Mulvihill 41m, S Melia for Casserly 59m, C O'Sullivan for Hanway 60m. Simonstown – M Sweeney; S McGivney, D Moran, N Coughlan; S Kieran, C Wickham, C Carr; S Tobin (0-1), I O'Rourke (0-1); M Fitzpatrick, C Sheridan, S Gaffney; P O'Reilly, S Moran (0-1), S Barry (0-1). Subs – N O'Brien for Kieran 21 mins, D Curran for Gaffney 43m, M Gardiner for Fitzpatrick 52m, F Carraher for O'Reilly 54m, R Quinn for Coughlan 57m. Referee – Seamus O'Connor (Carnaross).