Junior B match report

Donaghmore Ashbourne Junior B team played Trim in their last group game of the campaign and were well deserved winners in a keenly contested tie.
Donaghmore Ashbourne started well with a point from play by Ciaran Buckley after 2 minutes. Trim attacked and after a succession of wides registered their first point after 6 minutes. This was followed up 2 minutes later with a well taken goal. Donaghmore Ashbourne responded and great inter play by Ollie Bobbett, Cian Wall and Ciaran Buckley caused the Trim defence problems which resulted in a free to Donaghmore Ashbourne. Eoin Caffrey stepped up and with a stiff cross wind against him he judged it perfectly to register a point.
With 11 minutes gone another Trim attack was broken down and Cian Field collected the ball in his own defence. He set off up the field and ran at the Trim defence scoring a super point at the end of the run to get within a point of Trim.
More lively play by Cian Wall resulted in another free wide on the left and again Eoin Caffrey stepped up to split the posts to level the game. Trim attacked and got another point to lead again on 13 minutes. Both teams were playing great football despite the wet and windy conditions. Lorcan Nolan leveled the game with a well taken point and a minute later pointed to put his team ahead, 6 points to 5.
Trim responded with two points to take the lead again.
Ciaran Buckley finished a great passing move to the net to raise a green flag on 26 minutes after great work by Cian Wall on the wing. Colin O’Sullivan pointed a minute later to put three between the sides. Donaghmore Ashbourne attacked again and Lorcan Nolan rifled a shot to the top left corner only to see it tipped around the post by the Trim goalkeeper.
At half time Donaghmore Ashbourne led Trim 1:07 to 1:04.

Whatever Joey Long said to his team mates at the half time break seemed to drive Donaghmore Ashbourne on as they came out firing straight from the off with a Colin O’Sullivan point from play. Trim responded and a mix up in the Donaghmore Ashbourne defence resulted in a penalty for Trim. It was dispatched to Mattie Davis’ net to put Trim right back in the game. Ciaran Buckley pointed for Donaghmore Ashbourne from play before Trim responded again with a point from a 45, a point from play and then a goal from play.
Momentum seemed to be going Trims way when they scored another point midway through the half but Donaghmore Ashbourne never gave up.
Lorcan Nolan scored his 3rd point of the day to reduce the deficit and great play by substitute David Carey setup another attack and Colin O’Sullivan fired to the net to level the game again with 10 minutes left, 2:10 to 3:07.

The experienced Joey Long finished a strong run with a well taken point before Trim responded with another point to level the game again.

Going into the last 5 minutes Donaghmore Ashbourne dug deep again and were rewarded with a Colin O’Sullivan point from play to lead by one.
Trim attacked again and were unlucky not to score when a shot went through a crowded Donaghmore Ashbourne goalmouth, hit the upright and was gathered by the Donaghmore Ashbourne defence before Trim could capitalize. Smart football on the wing by substitute James McKeown allowed him to drift by 3 players and set up another attack. Ollie Bobbett showed well and was fouled as he gathered a high ball resulting in a free. Eoin Caffrey was called on again and duly dispatched the ball over the bar. The final whistle was blown and Donaghmore Ashbourne were relieved to win a tough game.

There were some brilliant performances all over the field for Donaghmore Ashbourne. Lorcan Nolan was a thorn in the side of Trim all day with his movement and close control and scored 3 fine points. Cian Wall and Ollie Bobbett worked hard all day and their inter play with Ciaran Buckley paid dividends with some well taken scores. The back six were marshalled by Niall Moran and they worked hard to restrict the experienced Trim forwards.

Scorers; Colin O’Sullivan 1:03, Ciaran Buckley 1:02, Lorcan Nolan 0:03, Eoin Caffrey 0:03f, Cian Field 0:01, Joey Long 0:01.

Donaghmore Ashbourne Team: Matt Davis, Cian Field, Mattie Finn, Rob Lawlor, Mick McCabe, Niall Moran, Gavin Sweeney, Joe Long, Tom Drea