Victory for Gaeil Colmcille
Gaeil Colmcille had to weather an early Donaghmore / Ashbourne storm in today's SFC quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann where they trailed by four points (0-1 to 0-5) after only 17 minutes as they won by 1-12 to 0-9.
At that stage of the contest it was beginning to look like there would only be one winner as Donaghmore / Ashbourne owned the ball, sprayed the passes around the pitch in all directionsand had the Kells side under serious pressure.
Two pointed Andy Colgan frees were augmented by scores from play by Simons Wilson, Dylan Brady and Ryan Bannon for Donaghmore / Ashbourne while all Gaeil Colmcille could muster was a fourth minute pointed Brian O'Hanlon free.
Dissent was beginning to creep into the Gaeil Colmcille game also and a couple of those aforementioned frees were moved forward and there was also a caution (yellow card) for Seanie Curran.
However, Gaeil Colmcille also missed a good goal chance in that opening quarter and maintained their focus sufficiently to get back into contention through a brace (one free) of Seamus Mattimoe points.
Soon after Mattimoe was impeded when through on goal and Hanlon confidently converted the resultant penalty.
WATCH THE PENALTY GOAL
Hanlon (free) and Mattimoe added a point apiece before the break for a 1-5 to 0-5 interval advantage.
Gaeil Colmcille were quickly out of the blocks for the second-half, unlike the first, and had points on the board from the excellent Oisin Reilly and Mattimoe (free) inside a minute.
They maintained dominance for most of the remainder although Donaghmore / Ashbourne rallied briefly and got the deficit down to a goal (0-9 to 1-9) with 10 minutes remaining.
Liam Ferguson and Mattimoe from a free that was moved forward for dissent were the Gaeil Colmcille marksmen while Colgan (free), and three (two frees) from Stephen Carton revived Donaghmore / Ashbourne briefly.
Gaeil Colmcille found a response with Barrett, Fionn Reilly and Hanlon on target while Barrett was also denied a goal when Colgan made a smart save. Leo Reilly closed the scoring for Donaghmore / Ashbourne.