Ashbourne C.S fall short in hard fought All Ireland Final

Tom Gannon reports

All Ireland Schools ‘B’ Final

Abbey Vocational School 1-15

Ashbourne Community School 0-9

The tag of “sleeping giants” is one that Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA has been branded with at various stages over the last two decades. Anyone who travelled to Clones on Saturday afternoon will agree that even despite this result and the strong representation of Fingal Ravens, Garristown, Curraha and Ardcath amongst the panel, that aforementioned tag has never been more accurate than it is right now.

The final-score above does not in the slightest paint a clear picture of the efforts of the young men from Ashbourne Community School in the All Ireland Schools B final. A tough second-quarter, where Joe Gibney’s side was feeling the effects of a helter-skelter start to the game, was crucially the winning and losing of the contest. Take nothing away from Abbey Vocational School, they were exceptionally energetic, clinical and deserving winners on the day. However, the hunger shown by this Ashbourne team in the second-half, when they were down bad at half-time was absolutely incredible.

It was a fantastic achievement for this school to get this far in the competition regardless and none of the Ashbourne supporters on the day would have blamed the young lads if they dropped their heads in the second-half, but to their credit, they gave it absolutely everything and as it transpired they had just left themselves too much to do.

A costly mistake at the back handed Abbey the first score of the game which was well finished off by Conor Meehan. Ashbourne responded well with a good score from Michael O’Sullivan. Aaron Lee was forced to pull off a huge save from Conor McCahill, the first of three big saves made by Lee, as he redirected the ball over the bar which edged Abbey in front.

Ashbourne rattled off two scores in quick succession courtesy of Dylan Kettle and O’Sullivan to hit the front for the first time. However, Abbey bounced back thanks to scores from McCahill and Meehan. Abbey full forward Aaron McGrory got his name on the scoresheet before Kevin Muldoon scored a fantastic individual point to give Abbey a three-point lead. Conor Meehan put Abbey four up as Ashbourne looked very wary following the hectic start to the contest.

Turlough Carr put Abbey five up and at this stage, the Donegal side looked in control of the game. McGrory secured a six-point lead for Abbey as we approached the break. Kevin Muldoon put Abbey into double figures on the scoreboard just before half-time. At halftime Abbey held a dominant lead of 0-10 to 0-3.

A hectic start to the game had taken its toll on Ashbourne more so than their opponents. Abbey showed that they are an extremely fit pacey outfit and Ashbourne had struggled to keep with them in the second quarter. After their third score in the eighth minute, Ashbourne did not register another score in the opening 30 minutes. Ardcath man Michael McIvor was the best performer for Ashbourne in that first half.

Michael O’Sullivan got a badly needed point to open the scoring in the second-half. O’Sullivan then got a beautiful score from an extremely tight angle on the terrace side of Clones. Kettle secured his second free and all of a sudden there were only four points between the two sides. Ashbourne had gotten off to an electric start to the second-half. Michael McIvor followed up with his first and only score, much to the delight of the now louder Ashbourne supporters. Ashbourne had rattled off the first four scores of the second-half.

Conor Meehan settled Abbey into the half with a well-taken point. Several wides from Ashbourne, five in a row and nine in total to that point had finally taken its toll on the enthusiasm of the men in red and black, and the momentum shifted back in favour of Abbey.

Conor Meehan and Michael O’Sullivan traded scores. A black card for Evan O’Kane left the Ashbourne side with 14 men for the remaining 10 minutes, a crucial blow. Senan Carr’s first score looked to be a vital one as Abbey went five up with only five minutes left. A Conor McCahill injury-time goal all but secured the game for the Donegal side. Late-sub Daniel McIntyre got the final score as Abbey secured a nine-point victory.

SCORERS

Ashbourne CS – Michael O’Sullivan 0-5; Dylan Kettle 0-3 two frees; Michael McIvor 0-1.

Abbey VS – Conor McCahill 1-3; Conor Meehan 0-6 four frees; Aaron McGroary 0-2; Senan Carr 0-1; Turlough Carr 0-1; Kevin Muldoon 0-1; Daniel McIntyre 0-1.

TEAMS

Ashbourne C.S – Aaron Lee; Jake Donnelly, Oisin Daly, Max Duffy; Patrick Moran, Aidan Mackey, Alexander McCann; Eric Donoghue, George Hickey; Evan O’Kane, Dylan Kettle, Michael McIvor; Michael O’Sullivan, Niall Daly, Jack Doran. Subs- Joe Murray for Duffy 25 mins, Adam Doran for N.Daly 30 mins, Ciaran McCullagh for Moran 50 mins, Matthew Tuite for J.Doran 58 mins.

Abbey V.S – Daniel McGinty; Terence McGovern, Leo McGowan, Donal Gallagher; Caolan Sweeney, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan; Tiernan McBride, Kevin Muldoon; Turlough Carr, Seanan Carr, Oisin Morgan; Conor McCahill, Aaron McGroary, Conor Meehan. Subs - Jonathan O’Driscoll for Mogan 41 mins, Patrick Gormley for Aaron McGroary 48 mins, Callum Dunnion for McCrea 61 mins, Daniel McIntyre for McGowan 61 mins.

Referee: Martin McNally