Donaghmore Ashbourne 4-6
Longwood 2-4
The Longwood under 13 boys footballers travelled to a sun-baked Ashbourne on Friday evening.
The travelling side started the brighter with a goal coming from the boot of Lochlan Rowley after a nice buildup further out the field. The Moores however responded with four points before another point from Rowley and a well taken point from half forward Conor Baldwin kept the scoreboard ticking over. The busy Patrick Maguire helping in these efforts. Ashbourne scored two late goals in the first half to open a gap between the two teams. The boys in green walking in at halftime 3-4 to 1-3 to the good.
The travelling side started the brighter with a goal coming from the boot of Lochlan Rowley after a nice buildup further out the field. The Moores however responded with four points before another point from Rowley and a well taken point from half forward Conor Baldwin kept the scoreboard ticking over. The busy Patrick Maguire helping in these efforts. Ashbourne scored two late goals in the first half to open a gap between the two teams. The boys in green walking in at halftime 3-4 to 1-3 to the good.
Longwood started brightly to the second half and with pressure on the Ashbourne defence from Caidin Connor and Aodhán Freeman leading to Freeman finding the Ashbourne net. This left Longwood four points away from their hosts and forward pressure from Thomas Murray, Dylan Dixon and Lucas Hennessy left Ashbourne with a few questions to answer. Towards the final quarter, Ashbourne started to get the upper hand but credit must go to the Longwood backs of William Bermingham, Aidan Sharkey, Thomas Maguire, Tadgh Schram and shot stopper Emmet Collins for dealing well with the Donaghmore Ashbourne pressure.
A special mention to Erikas, a player who had only taken up the sport less than a year ago and a man who really took the game to Donaghmore in the second half. As seen throughout the year, and to their credit, the team from the Wood never gave up and this was seen through Rowley’s last point. The game ended 4-6 to 2-4 in favour of the Donaghmore Ashbourne side.
A special mention to Erikas, a player who had only taken up the sport less than a year ago and a man who really took the game to Donaghmore in the second half. As seen throughout the year, and to their credit, the team from the Wood never gave up and this was seen through Rowley’s last point. The game ended 4-6 to 2-4 in favour of the Donaghmore Ashbourne side.
A word of thanks to Donaghmore Ashbourne for their hospitality and sportsmanship and as well to their referee who stepped up and gave a great display when the match proceeded without a county board designated referee. He was calm, fair and explained the rules to both sets of players in a respectful way throughout the match. He also commended the Longwood team on their great attitude after the game and said they were a credit to their club.
Longwood: E Collins; T Maguire, D Dixon; A Sharkey, E Petkus, T Schram; W Bermingham, L Rowley (1-2); C Baldwin (0-1), P Maguire, T Murray; C Connor, A Freeman (1-0); L Hennessy.
Match report: Dean Keogh
