Match Report: Donaghmore Ashbourne v Bective
Venue: Ashbourne
Date: 22nd February 2019 at 8pm
Competition: B League Division 3
Halftime: Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-7 Bective 1-2
Fulltime: Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-15 Bective 1-5
Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA’s 3rd team started this B League 3 fixture with a superbly taken goal from adult football debutant Luke Barrett in the first minute to set Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA up for a period of dominance in the first 10 minutes. A well-taken point from Fergal Heffernan after 3 minutes seemed to settle them down but a battling Bective 2nd team managed to steady the ship with a point after 8 mins and then raised a green flag when Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA defence was exposed after 13 mins. Both sides exchanged points before the home team strung 5 points in the last 10 minutes of the half to lead 1-7 to 1-2 at half time. Well worked moves produced some excellent scoring opportunities which Faolan Smith, James Flavin and the Heffernan brothers took full advantage of.
The second half continued the trend and 2 minutes into the 2nd half, a flowing move put newly introduced substitute James McKeown in on goal and as he was about to fire off his shot he was fouled in the box. The resultant penalty was duly dispatched to the net by Smith. The gusting wind forced the Bective keeper to vary his kickouts as Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA were dominating the middle but 2 points from Joe Magee, another from Fergal Heffernan in the first 5 minutes of the second half stretched their lead. Bective tried to get out of their half but the determined Donaghmore Ashbourne side continued to put pressure on and it yielded 2 more points from McKeown and Smith. Another flowing move let the hard working Oisin Mulhall in to fire over a point on 39 minutes and Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA then used their subs bench to good effect. Fergal Heffernan struck again to notch up another point on 42 mins to bring his tally to 4 points. As the subs got into the game Bective to their credit never gave up and pointed on 53, 56 and 59 minutes before Conor Hayes pointed on 60 mins to see out the game for Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA.
The game was played in good spirit and both teams put in a marvelous effort. Several players caught the eye for the home side including Luke Barrett, David Donnelly, the Heffernan brothers, Liam Finn and Faolan Smith. A hardworking team performance on the night ensured the 2 league points were secured for Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA.
Donaghmore Ashbourne Team:
Matt Davis, Matt Finn, Niall Moran, Liam Finn, Luke Barrett (1-0), Anthony Lynn, Conor Heffernan (0-1), Joe Magee (0-2), James Flavin (0-2), Anthony McAlearney, Oisin Mulhall (0-1), Fergal Heffernan (0-4), Colm O’Toole, Faolan Smith (1-3, 1p 1f), Danny Deery.
Subs: James McKeown (0-1) for Deery, David Donnelly for McAlearney, Conor Hayes (0-1) for F. Heffernan, Dylan Morrissey for Mulhall, Oisin Gryson for M. Finn, Pat Dennehy for Lynn.