Donaghmore / Ashbourne captain Iarlaith O'Donnell raises the new Premier FC Div 1 Cup for the first time

Donaghmore / Ashbourne win first Reserve FC title

Donaghmore / Ashbourne created a piece of history at Pairc Tailteann this afternoon when they were the first club to win the top Meath Premier FC title with a 1-13 to 1-7 win against Skryne, the first club to lose a decider at the top grade.

On that front, both teams will register in the history book of Meath GAA as first-time finalists in the top grade of a new and somewhat innovative category that was introduced this year at the expense of all championship grades below JFC.

In old currency this was an IFC team against a JFC team and the formbook held up as Donaghmore / Ashbourne deservedly took the Premier FC Div 1 silverware.

All the necessary protocols observed for the presentation ceremony.

There was plenty of good football over the hour as Skryne dictated the opening half, but trailed at the interval by a point (1-4 to 1-5) after they conceded a goal with the last kick of the opening 30 minutes.

Skryne started brightly with a brilliant John Morley goal after Cillian Hegarty's point gace Donaghmore / Ashbourne an early advantage.

The Ashbourne men forged ahead with points from Kevin Fenton, Luke Barrett and John Broderick, but gutsy Skryne had an inspirational score from Colm Doherty before Ronan McCabe gave the Tara men the lead ahead of the waterbreak.

Skryne looked like leading at the interval after further points from Jason Reddy and John Morley sandwiched a Broderick pointed free for Donaghmore / Ashbourne.

However, that late goal from Sean Noone was a nice boost for Donaghmore / Ashbourne although Skryne hit the front promptly in the second-half with a brace of Neal Burke points (one free).

There was never much in it up to that stage, but once Evan Quinn's pointed free restored parity at 1-6 each Donaghmore / Ashbourne asserted superiority.

By the second water break they were ahead by 1-9 to 1-6 with the hard-working Barrett (two frees) and Fenton sending over.

Donaghmore / Ashbourne dictated the final quarter, but they had to withstand a determined Skryne effort and central to that was a solid display by Colm O Mealoid.

Full-forward Broderick added three points (one free) with Fenton also on the mark.

Jason Fox contributed Skryne's sole point in that period.

SCORERS

Donaghmore / Ashbourne - John Broderick 0-5 two frees; Luke Barrett 0-3 two frees; Kevin Fenton 0-3; Sean Nooney 1-0; Cillian Hegarty 0-1; Evan Quinn 0-1 free.

Skryne - John Morley 1-1; Neal BUrke 0-2 one free; Ronan McCabe 0-1; Colm Doherty 0-1; Jason Reddy 0-1; Jason Fox 0-1.

TEAMS

Donaghmore / Ashbourne - Jack Hannigan; Aaron McLoughlin, Jack Giles, Kevin Cully; Shane Rae, Iarlaith O'Donnell, David Carr; Colm O Mealoid, Sean Noone; Kevin Fenton, Evan Quinn, Cillian Hegarty; Luke Barrett, John Broderick, Darragh O'Sullivan. Subs - Kevin Lannigan for Noone and Killian Hogan for Carr both 45 mins; Alan Murtagh for Hegarty 50m.

Skryne - Des McAvinney; Timmy Lennon, Mark Harrington, Dermot Brennan; Frank Carty, Michael Doherty, Kristofer Kinsella; Colm Doherty, David McGoldrick; Ronan McCabe, Neal Burke, Niall Morley; Jason Reddy, Aidan Tuite, John Morley. Subs - Paddy Fox for Reddy half-time; Jason Fox for N Morley 41 mins, Craig Nolan for J Morley 48m, Barry Clarke for Kinsella 59m.