📝 Tuairisc Cluiche (Match Report - Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final)

📝 Tuairisc Cluiche (Match Report)

For the second year running, Donaghmore/Ashbourne’s adult hurlers have secured a spot in the Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final after a thrilling extra-time win over Boardsmill in Páírc Tailteann on Saturday.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs, the Moors had a slow start and were punished for it, with Danny Dixon pointing for the Mill to follow on from an early goal for Stevie Gibbons, pulling first time after Ben Mather had blocked Dixon’s original effort.

Davin Jones and Seán O’Sullivan got our lads off the mark but Boardsmill raised a second green flag with just ten minutes gone – this time Niall Weir managing to nab a long ball in, turn and fire past Mather.

However, they were reduced to 14 players after an off-the-ball strike across the legs of Luke Andrews.

Mather struck over a 65 and Michael O’Sullivan pointed from another dead ball to close the gap to two.

Another from Seán O’Sullivan cancelled out a Boardsmill 65 before Michael O’Sullivan got the next three scores, two more from frees to leave one point between the sides at half time.

Half Time:

Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 0-08

Bord an Mhuilinn 2-03

Much like the first half, Boardsmill started stronger with two from Dixon and a Luke Gallagher free extending the gap to four.

However, another two efforts from the younger O’Sullivan were sandwiched around a Sam Benville strike before Don/Ash got their first goal.

A Jones sideline fell the way of Shaun Byrne – who managed to get the ball to Cólm Ó Méalóid. He handpassed it to Michael O’Sullivan, who burst free and blasted off his left to the net.

Dixon responded immediately with a point but Michael O’Sullivan hit back.

Boardsmill would hit the next two to level before sub David Carey’s 65 gave the Moors the lead again with three to play, but an injury time strike from Cian Royston sent the game to extra time.

Full Time:

Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláín 1-13

Bord an Mhuilinn 2-10

Boardsmill won the coin toss and opted to play with the wind in the first period and two points from Luke Gallagher made that look like a good decision.

Back came the Moors again though, with Andy Tormey finding Oisín Daly in space with a brilliant pass.

Daly’s touch on the run was even better to gather the ball and his effort squirmed past the Boardsmill keeper for Don/Ash’s second goal.

To their credit, the Mill didn’t flinch, going up the other end to grab a third goal themselves, with Luke Darby tapping to an empty net after a combination of Mather and two other Don/Ash defenders having blocked an initial shot from Weir. Weir would intercept a puckout to give his side a four point lead halfway though extra time.

Half Time in ET:

Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláín 2-13

Bord an Mhuilinn 3-14

With that lead to protect, Boardsmill started to sit back to start the second period, allowing Michael O’Sullivan and Carey to fire over two points.

The gap was still at two as the clock hit 80 – but the Don/Ash workrate led to the biggest moment of the entire game.

O’Sullivan and Carey managed to secure possession on the left wing, with the latter delivering a ball to the edge of the square where player-manager Ó Méalóid had been moved.

Despite having a man on his back, Ó Méalóid managed to gather the ball, turn both the full back and the goalkeeper and kick to the net to move the Moors into a one-point lead.

Boardsmill would have one more attack but having held them to no scores in the second period up to that point, the Don/Ash defence cleared again, allowing Carey the time and space to hit over another point to seal the two point victory.

The Moors now head into an IHC semi final for the second straight year, going head to head with Drumree on Sunday week, September 29 at 1pm in Páirc Tailteann.

Full Time AET:

Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláín 3-16

Bord an Mhuilinn 3-16

Team: Ben Mather (0-1 65’); Daragh Walsh, Fionnán Hogan, Cian Field; Dylan Morrissey, Sam Benville (0-1); Faolán Smyth; Oisín Daly (1-0), Shaun Byrne; Colm Ó Méalóid (1-0), Luke Andrews, Andy Tormey; Davin Jones (0-1), Séan O’Sullivan (0-2), Michael O’Sullivan (1-8, 3f)

Subs used: Rhys Thomas, Tom Ryan, Killian Hogan, Evan O’Kane, David Carey (0-3, 1f, 1 65)