Navan O’Mahonys: 3-11 Donaghmore Ashbourne: 0-08 

It was an early start for the Division 1 Men’s Footballers on Sunday morning as they faced Donaghmore Ashbourne in Paddy O’Brien Park.

It was O’Mahonys who were first to raise a white flag courtesy of Craig Munnelly inside the opening two minutes. Aodhan Mallon pointed second for O’Mahonys followed by a Robbie Keelaghan free. The on form Keelaghan scored the next two points from play before Donaghmore Ashbourne were able to put their first point on the board. O’Mahonys then went in search of a reply with Conor Finnegan slotting a great point over. A hallmark of this half was the pressure being applied to Donaghmore Ashbourne as they came up the field. Sam Formosa, Eoghan Nugent and Evan Brady all responsible for turnovers, with Aaron Byrne pulling off a great save to keep Donaghmore Ashbourne at bay. On the stroke of half time, a long ball in from a free, through a rebound and deflection, found itself in the hands of Duggie Dillon who duly converted it to the back of the net. 

Half time score: Navan O’Mahonys: 1-06 Donaghmore Ashbourne: 0-03

O’Mahonys started the second half as they meant to go on with Evan Coffey winning the throw-in. O’Mahonys worked the ball through the stages and eventually Coffey found himself cutting through the Donaghmore Ashbourne defence and burying the ball into the back of the net. Four minutes into the half, Oisín O’Brien replaced Darragh Maguire. O’Brien made his mark early in the game, cutting out a testing diagonal ball deep in his own half. The ball was continuously worked up the field with purpose with Conor Brady and Mallon consistently providing options. A Formosa turnover was worked well up the field where Nugent was able to draw a free which Keelaghan converted. Ten minutes into half Jake Regan came on with Nugent making way. Again making his mark quickly on the game, Regan added his name to the scoresheet courtesy of a free. Credit must be given to the backs throughout this half. Seán Betson was instrumental in disrupting Donaghmore Ashbourne attacks ably assisted by E Brady and Formosa. Another young player who marked his first start in the ‘hoops’ jersey extremely well was Ivo Fitzherbert who found himself on the end of a long ball in, resulting in another O’Mahonys goal. More great and patient defending from Niall McGrane and Finnegan on the following kickout meant that O’Mahonys had the majority of the possession of the ball in the second half. Regan and Coffey both raised white flags in the following few minutes. Christy Dillon, Eoin Joyce, Craig Nolan and Thomas Cully all made appearances in the closing stages as the last big moment of note was another great Byrne save in injury time. As the ball was being worked out again through the safe hands of the backs, the final whistle was blown. 

Navan O’Mahonys: Aaron Byrne, Evan Brady, Sam Formosa, Seán Betson, Darragh Maguire, Niall McGrane, Aodhan Mallon (0-01), Evan Coffey (1-01), Conor Brady, Eoghan Nugent, Robbie Keelaghan (0-04, 1f), Conor Finnegan (0-01), Craig Munnelly (0-01), Duggie Dillon (1-00), Ivo Fitzherbert (1-00)

Subs: Oisín O’Brien for Maguire (34 mins), Jake Regan (0-03, 1f)  for Nugent (41 mins), Eoing Joyce for Munnelly, Craig Nolan for Coffey (both 60 mins), Thomas Cully for Finnegan (61 mins). 

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