Impressive secondhalf seals victory for donaghmore ashbourne
Donaghmore/Ashbourne made it to the last four in the race for the Keegan Cup tonight at Pairc Tailteann with a 3-13 to 0-8 victory over Duleek/Bellewstwon with Michael Deegan taking the scoring honours with 1-6. However, he won't be too impressed with one late effort from a free in front of the posts. (See video clip).
And it wasn't all plain sailing for the winners as they were fortunate to be on level terms (0-6 each) at the interval and then fell behind a minute into the second-half when Steven Nolan scored one of his four points for Duleek/Bellewstown.
However, after that Donaghmore/Ashbourne took control and with goals from Deegan, Ciaran Beirne and Eric Callaghan they won with p[lenty to spare.
Duleek/Bellewstown finished with 14 after Paudge Howard was red-cared near the end. Donaghmore/Ashbourne will meet the winner of the Simonstown v Na Fianna tie in the semi-final.
Manager Paul Clarke was pleased with the second-half display and wasn't too concerned at the interval.
Looking ahead to the semi-final:
'Our key men played to the level I expected, we have a strong panel and I have three weeks now to get them ready for the semi-final,' he commented.
'We will look at the injury situation, assess the players, it doesn't concern me at the moment who we play.
'I'll start looking at the opposition a week before the game, but up top then it will be about our own preparations, it's great to get to the semi-final, now we have to get to the final,' he added.