Navan O’Mahony’s 2-11
Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-9
FAVOURITES NAVAN O’MAHONY’S came back from the brink to secure their second Meath SFC title in three seasons.
Trailing by six points after leaking two goals in the first three minutes of the game, the Brews Hill outfit were in serious danger of defeat.
But Donaghmore Ashbourne, chasing a first title since 1942 and their first since adding Ashbourne to the original Donaghmore club name, couldn’t hold on.
Three points from experienced Meath forward Stephen Bray helped O’Mahonys to draw level by half-time at 0-8 to 2-2.
Donaghmore Ashbourne were managed by former Dublin star Paul Clarke and moved ahead again with a 34th minute point from Dublin U-21 full-forward Mick Deegan who shot 0-5 overall.
But a Ruairi O Coileain goal for O’Mahony’s put the local side into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
It was a scrappy goal as O Coileain followed up on Bray’s blocked shot with a finish that just about sneaked in but it was hugely significant.
O’Mahony’s took control from then on and Jake Regan effectively decided the contest with a second goal after 46 minutes.
It was a toe poke from close range after good work by O Coileain and O’Mahony’s moved six clear themselves with a Gary O’Brien point soon after, 2-10 to 2-4.
Davy Nelson’s side required that cushion as Donaghmore Ashbourne scored five of the game’s last six points to ensure a nervy finale.
Scorers for Navan O’Mahony’s: Jake Regan 1-4 (0-3f), Ruairi O Coileain 1-0, Stephen Bray 0-3 (0-2f), David Bray, Alan Forde, Shane Gillespie, Gary O’Brien 0-1 each
Scorers for Donaghmore Ashbourne: Andrew Tormey 1-3, Michael Deegan 0-5 (0-3f) Bryan Menton 1-0, Eric Callaghan 0-1
Navan O’Mahony’s
16. David Quirke
2. Brian Dillon
3. Niall McKeigue
4. Daragh Smyth
5. James O’Reilly
6. Shane Crosby
7. Gary O’Brien
8. Cormac McGuinness
9. Damien Moran
10. Ruairi O Coileain
11. Stephen Bray
12. Alan Forde
15. Jake Regan
14. David Bray
19. Daragh Maguire
Subs
17. Stephen O’Toole for Smyth (23)
13. Shane Gillespie for Maguire (h/t)
24. Stephen MacGabhann for McGuinness (58)
18. Henry Finnegan for Forde (58)
19. Maguire for Moran (60)
Donaghmore Ashbourne
1. Jack Hannigan
2. Conor Carton
3. Cormac McGill
4. Jason Boland
7. Ciaran Ellis
6. Shane Melia
5. Sean Curran
8. Bryan Menton
9. Conor Carey
10. Thomas McGovern
15. Eoghan Riordan
12. Dara McGovern
11. Andrew Tormey
14. Ciaran Beirne
13. Michael Deegan
Subs
19. Eoin Reilly for Riordan (40)
18. Eric Callaghan for Boland (40)
20. Shaun Byrne for McGovern (50)
17. Paul Gilligan for Ellis (51)
26. Mattie Devine for Beirne (53)
Referee: Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille).
