Ashbourne face stern test against Kilkenny

Ashbourne RFC are winding up for one of the biggest days in the club’s history when they take on Kilkenny in the Provincial Towns’ Cup final at Tullow on Sunday.

This is a day the club have waited a long time for and it would be understandable if the players went into the game feeling that this is going to be their day.

The club have yet to experience the bitter taste of defeat in the league or Towns’ Cup despite the fact that they have come across some formidable opponents along the way.

In the Towns’ Cup there was the game against Gorey when the Wexford side asked some serious questions of Ashbourne but the Milltown side come up with the right answers to win 21-6. It was a similar scenario against Enniscorthy, again a game the Meath side won but only after a titanic struggle.

On the way to the Towns’ Cup showdown Ashbourne defeated Edenderry (46-14), Gorey, Roscrea (62-0) and Enniscorthy (12-10).

Right there every step of the way was Jeff Mahon the evergreen forward who was on the Ashbourne team they last time they reached the final of the famous competition against, who else, but neighbours Navan.

That was in 1999 and Ashbourne supporters will not want be reminded that the final ended up with Ashbourne agonisingly losing out on a 10-12 scoreline in Mullingar.

“Jeff is going into his 26th year playing for the Ashbourne first team, it’s a huge period of time. He’s also the forwards player/coach so he has a huge imput in the team and playing in the second row he gives an experienced stability and ability to the pack,” said dedicated Ashbourne clubman Bill Duggan.

“There has been setbacks but we would pride ourselves in our Towns’ Cup record. Two years ago we lost in the semi-finals to Tullow, that was a huge disappointment to us. We just didn’t turn up on the day.”

Captain Rory Gleeson missed the semi-final due to injury but he should be fine to take on Kilkenny. Gleeson has been one of the mainstays of the team all season while others such as Mark Rooney (a winner of a Senior Schools Cup medal with Clongowes) and James Rooney, who are the sons of club president Pat Rooney have also been influential. Another family imput comes from the Kennedys with brothers Gavin, Shane Eoin and Keith all involved.

The Ashbourne club are doing all they can to ensure there will be a big following to shout the team on in the Towns’ Cup decider.

“There will be four or five free buses and we’d be hoping past players and so on will turn up that day and shout us on,” Duggan added.

“We’re going to the south-east where Kilkenny are based as well, they’re close to Tullow but that’s the vagaries of the cup.”

Nearly relegated from the Leinster League Div 1B last season Ashbourne won the title this time around. Now they will be looking to add the cup and make it a memorable double.

 

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