General Club News

Ashbourne RFC Annual Golf Classic

Date in the Diary 28th of September 2018

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by Bill Duggan

McGowan Cup Added to the Season Haul

Ashbourne Take the Spoils in local Derby, and the McGowan Cup

A trip up the road to Boyne RFC was a game that both sides were looking forward. Local derbies are always relished and this was one Ashbourne had some trepidation about as Boyne have discovered some good league form off late. But Ashbourne won out well on the day with a comprehensive 35 points to 8 points win and in turn also picked up the NE Area McGowan Cup for their troubles, the second piece of silver this season so far.

Played in good weather and on a soft pitch, from the off the game was played at a high tempo with Ashbourne playing well from the kick off. Mahon was filling in the unusual position of prop but it did not weaken a dominant scrum. The backrow of McKeon, Wall and Deevy were working hard and Rooney in the center was putting in big hits. And it was Rooney who got Ashbourne going with a try. From a lineout in the Boyne 22, McCaghy found McKeon and playing a penalty advantage he broke forward and set up a ruck. Bass recycled the ball to Crotty and on to Rooney who was tackled. Wall picked and passed to Deevy who was stopped he popped the ball to Rooney who broke a few tackles to score. Crotty converted and Ashbourne took a 7 to nil lead.

Boyne tried to get their game going but Ashbourne were resolute and firm in all aspects. Boyne did get a penalty after 20 minutes but found it hard to make headway and they were caught out when they broke the golden rule in sport and never turn you back on the ball. Ashbourne had work their way into the Boyne 22 and when they were award a penalty the Boyne turned to form up on their line an din the meantime Deevy tapped and got in for a score. With Crotty’s conversion Ashbourne lead by 14 points to 3.

Ashbourne were scoring again 5 minutes later when O’Brien was put into space in his own half by McKeon and cut through the Boyne line to score from 55 meters out, which Crotty duly converted. Boyne did score next when the worked the ball into the Ashbourne 22 and outflanked the defense to score and unconverted try in the left corner. At halftime it was 21 points to 8 score line in favour of Ashbourne. There was still work to be done. The first score in the second half would determine the game.

Boyne came at Ashbourne with all they had got and it was hard work to keep them at bay. The Ashbourne defense has been strong all season and they were up to the task. Behan and Wall were introduced in the front row and Boyne was struggling in the set piece now. In the 59^th minute Ashbourne reaped the benefit when Deevy notch up his second try when Ashbourne pushed over from a 5-meter scrum. The 4^th try secured Ashbourne the McGowan Cup as they just needed a point to take the cup.

Ashbourne were dominant at this point and the game was won. Ashbourne added a 5^th try when Deevy broke the cover and put Rooney in for his second try. Crotty converted to give himself a 100% record from the kicking tee.

Ashbourne still lead the division by 3 points as they head into a down week, with 2 rounds left. The next league match is at home to Wicklow on the 3^rd of March.

Summary of scores:

Tries: Mark Rooney x 2; Simon Deevy x 2; Jack O’Brien x 1; 5 conversions to Donal Crotty

Team 1-15

Ciaran Roche, James McCaghy; Jeff Mahon; Conor Hurley; Joey Szpara; Jake Wall; Sean McKeon (Capt); Simon Deevy; Shane Bass; Donal Crotty; Colm Craigie; Mark Rooney; Jack O’Brien; Casey Dunne; Dermot Colreavy;

Bench: Brendan Meehan; Alan Wall; Mark Behan; Conor McNally; Kelan Toolan

by Bill Duggan

All Ireland Junior Cup Winners Again

ASHBOURNE 18
KILFEACLE & DISTRICT 9

Portlaoise RFC

Ashbourne successfully defended their Ulster Bank All-Ireland Junior Cup crown with a deserved 18-9 win over first-time finalists Kilfeacle & District this afternoon. This keeps the cup in Leinster now since Crosshaven won it in 2011, Ashbourne is the second team to do the double, which Tullamore did 2012 and 2013.

The venue was Portlaoise RFC and the afternoon was wet and dreary and the game played on a very heavy pitch, but sides raised their game to entertain a large crowd that had arrived in good voice. Ashbourne would have started favourites but Tipperary challengers Kilfeacle were bidding to become the first Munster winners of the cup since 2011, and chose to play with strong wind behind them in te first half. They got off to an encouraging start with out-half Jamie Heuston nailing a 10th minute penalty from straight in front of the posts after a period of sustained pressure with the Kilfeacle backrow causing havoc. Ashbourne knew that they would be under pressure from early on but their defense has been excellent all season and it stood to them again.

After 10 minutes Ashbourne injury to center Adam Martin open the way for Fingal man Mark Rooney to come into the center and any fears that this would weaken the side were eased with shuddering tackle that knocked his opposite number backwards. That was the tone for the game with Deevy, Hurley, Wall and McKeon all tackling with ferocity.

But wind-backed Kilfeacle needed to put more scores on the board given the conditions but they did not use the wind to any measure and played into Ashbourne’s hands by taking on the Leinster League leaders in a physical contest. But Ashbourne struck with an unconverted try on the stroke of half-time. Full-back Stephen O’Neill scored in the right corner with Donal Crotty, Mark Rooney and Casey Dunne all involved in the build-up.

Out-half Crotty went on to be Ashbourne’s match winner with a talismanic second half performance. He took over kicking duties on the day from Gavin Kennedy, who was playing with an injury, and in the second half he knocked over two penalties, sandwiching a second effort from Kilfeacles Heuston, soon after the resumption. That gave the Leinster men an 11-6 lead to take into the final quarter, as the rain descended.

But Kilfeacle were not done and an excellent 64th-minute strike from Heuston set up a grandstand finish, though, at 11-9. But Ashbourne has shown all season that the last quarter is when they really come into their own. Szpara came in as well offering a powerful set of fresh legs, as well as Roche in a prop.

With 15 minutes left Ashbourne struck to decisively to keep the trophy in Ashbourne. Deevy was the instigator and when he was held up a few metres out before Ashbourne retained and recycled possession in impressive fashion and swung it out for Crotty to cross the line and then add the extras himself.

Jeff ‘Legend’ Mahon and matt Connolly were introduced to keep Kilfeacle at bay as they threw everything at Ashbourne but the champions held out to win by a score of 18 to 9.

Scorers for Ashbourne

Tries: Stephen O’Neill, Donal Crotty

Con: Donal Crotty

Pens: Donal Crotty (2)

Team: Alan Wall, James McCaghy, Frank Keegan, Sean Kent, Conor Hurley, Simon Deevy, Sean McKeon, Jake Wall, Gavin Kennedy (Capt), Donal Crotty, Colm Craigie, Adam Martin, Jack O’Brien, Casey Dunne, Stephen O’Neill

Subs: Brendan Meehan, Ciaran Roche, Jeff Mahon, Joey Szpara, Mark Rooney, Shane Bass, Matt Connolly

by Bill Duggan