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Ashbourne Advance to 2nd Round of All Ireland Junior Cup

Ashbourne Advance to the 2^nd round of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior cup

Ashbourne ran out comfortable winners by a score of 28 points to 10 under the shadow of Croagh Patrick on in Westport on Saturday. In fact it was a bit of déjà vu as this this last year Ashbourne went to the same venue, against the same opposition, on the same weekend, with the same referee, the same total points scored and the only difference was the score line (9 -29). In advance to the second round the similarities end as Ashbourne have drawn a home tie against Munster side Bandon on the 12^th of November. Halloween came early – spooky!

This is the 3^rd win on the bounce and certainly re-enforces the fact that Ashbourne start the season slowly. But in this game they were quick out of the blocks and were seven points to the good after 2 minutes. Martin kicked off for Ashbourne and went deep. Westport tried to work the ball out and when they put in through the hands in their own 22 Spooner’s pressure caused the ball to be dropped and he hacked it on. Jake Wall gathered and set up the ruck. Kennedy recycled to Keegan who was stopped and Kennedy recycled again to Spooner who put Connolly through to round the backline and score near the post. Kennedy added the 2 points.

Westport settled down and start to take the ball on through their big pack but matters were not helped when their 8 was sent to the bin for a bit of over exuberance at the tackle. Ashbourne made little use of this advantage as the home side dug deep. Westport showed good touches while Ashbourne through Martin, Connolly, O’Brien and Spooner moved the ball well. The pack held their own with Deevy playing his usually game but Wall and Kent were more than capable of making major contributions. But all was even-steven throughout the half. On the stroke of halftime Westport missed a penalty, which was their best chance of the half and we went into the break with Ashbourne 7 nil ahead.

The second half stated the same way with an Ashbourne try within 5 minutes. From a line out on Westport 10 meter line on the left Norton found Hurley and Kennedy set the backline in motion with a quick long pass to Martin. He found Spooner and passed on to Deevy on his right shoulder. He made his way deep into the 22 and when stopped Kennedy was on hand to receive a pop pass from Deevy and he put Martin into space. He was stopped short of the line with O’Brien rucking over him. Wall picked and drove over the line for the try. Kennedy added the conversion and Ashbourne were a bit more comfortable at 14 point to nil ahead.

Within 10 minutes Des Spooner added the third try. In fairness all the game was being played in the Westport half. Connolly, Spooner, Kennedy and Wall were all involved in the build up and finally pass out left to Spooner to score was the result of constant pressure. Kennedy made it 3 out 3 with the conversion. Ashbourne started unloading the bench with McCaghy and Keith Kennedy coming on for Behan and Norton while Wall made way for Mahon.

The fourth try arrived soon after. Westport had a line out in their 22 but Hurley got up to disrupted the ball as it went back on their side. As they attempted to kick clear McCaghy and Keith Kennedy combined to deflect the ball back to Deevy who drove, spun and weaved his way over the line. Captain Gavin Kennedy made a 100% day from the boot with the conversion and Ashbourne led 28 points to nil.

Ashbourne introduced Martin Gallagher and Paul O’Neill, both getting their first run out with 1^st team and in fairness to home side they never gave up. They were rewarded with two late consolation tries but the game was well and truly over as a contest. The final score was a win to Ashbourne by 28 points to 10 and now move onto the 2^nd round on the 12^th of November against Bandon.

Team: Adam Sherrard, Stephen O’Neill, Jack O’Brien, Des Spooner, Matt Connolly, Adam Martin, Gavin Kennedy (Capt.) Simon Deevy, Jake Wall, Sean Kent, Conor Hurley, Ciaran Roche, Mark Behan, Dan Norton, Frank Keegan

Subs: James McCaghy, Keith Kennedy, Jeff Mahon, Martin Gallagher, and Paul O’Neill

Scorers: Tries – Matt Connolly x 1, Jake Wall x 1, Des Spooner, Simon Deevy x 1

Conversions: Gavin Kennedy X 3

by Bill Duggan

Ashbourne Record a Double in Monkstown

Ashbourne Get Back to Winning Ways

It has taken till round 4 of the Leinster League Division 1A for Ashbourne clock up their first league win but on Saturday at Sydney Parade the took the spoils in hard fought but well deserved win. You don’t become a bad side overnight and the core of this team have been around for a few seasons so it is no surprise that they have broken the duck for the season.

The pack is still match winners with McCaghy, Behan, Deevy, Roche and Jake and Alan Wall there from last season. On Saturday Kent, Keegan Keith Kennedy and Hurley all brought a lot to the table with an impressive performance. Augmented by a backline where captain Gavin Kennedy is the senior, starting shown what they can do, and the performance was the best of the season.

Monkstown introduced James Downey, former Munster, Northampton and Wasps player into their backline for his debut and this was seen as a big boost for the home side. But from the off Ashbourne were setting the pace and had the momentum. From the first scrum it could be seen that this was going to be a big weapon for Ashbourne with Monkstown going backwards in set piece. Lineouts were 50:50 but Ashbourne were holding their own.

Much of the early game was played between the 22’s and it was no surprise that when Ashbourne broke through it came of the back of the Ashbourne scrum. The visitors had been turning p the heat and a long kick in the 16^th minute saw wing O’Neill in pursuit only to beaten to the touch down by the covering fullback. From the restart, Simon Deevy fielded in midfield and ran back at the up rushing defense. He was brought to ground but recycled the ball. Kennedy cleared the ball to McCaghy whose pass found Jake Wall. Monkstown knocked on his grubber kick, and Ashbourne had a scrum deep in the left corner and were defending their line. From put in Ashbourne drove forward and Deevy kept the ball his feet as they inched forward, but he pick the ball when the scrum was stopped illegally. Playing advantage he got the ball to Kennedy who broke right and found Martin coming at a great angle to break the covering tackle and score. Kennedy was just off with the conversion.

Monkstown tried to respond but Ashbourne were defending really well. Des Spooner, making his first start for the club, put in some great tackles and showed some great touches. He also helped marshal the young backline particularly Jack O’Brien who showed some great touches in both defense and attack. A Kennedy penalty 5 minutes later stretch the lead to 8 nil and it was not long again until Ashbourne added their second try.

Following a great break that involved O’Brien and O’Neill the Ashbourne were awarded a penalty in the same bottom left corner, also resulting in a home side yellow card. The rain was pouring down but it was not having an effect on the game. Ashbourne set up the line out and from the drive forward they were awarded another penalty but took the scrum. From the put in the power went on with Behan, McCaghy and Keegan leading the way in the front row, and the pack drove over the line for Deevy to touch the ball down. Kennedy added the two points and Ashbourne took the 15 points to nil lead into the break. Ciaran Roche who was having a great game went off with a knock to be replaced by Keith Kennedy with Kent moving into the second row.

It was Monkstown, as expected, put on the pressure from the restart and within 5 minutes and scored an unconverted try. A good break from on of their backs and some missed tackles saw him score a great try, but as much as they huff and puffed they made no real serious inroads to a resolute Ashbourne team. Players like Jake Wall, Conor Hurley and Adam Martin were having exceptional games while Keith Kennedy did his job really well when he came on. Mitchel O’Meara and Matt Connolly add a lot of pace to the backline and their covering along with O’Neill was excellent. There were two cards in the half with Sean Kent seeing yellow in the 29 minute while a home player followed him off 5 minutes later.

Gavin Kennedy had two misses from the tie in the half but did get one to stretch the lead to 18 to 5 and Ashbourne saw out the game to their delight. A well deserved win and hopefully this will kick start the season.

That said it is local neighbours Dundalk next Saturday and that will be a very big ask.

Team: Mitchell O’Meara, Stephen O’Neill, Jack O’Brien, Des Spooner, Matt Connolly, Adam Martin, Gavin Kennedy (Capt.) Simon Deevy, Jake Wall, Sean Kent, Conor Hurley, Ciaran Roche, Mark Behan, James McCaghy, Frank Keegan

Subs: Dan Norton, Alan Wall, Keith Kennedy, Eddie Conaty, and Dan Cahill

Scorers: Tries – Simon Deevy x 1; Adam Martin X 1;

Penalties: Gavin Kennedy X 2

Conversions: Gavin Kennedy X 1

Ashbourne 2^nd XV also had a great win against Monkstown as the curtain raiser running out winners by a score of 17 points to 6. Tries from Shane McNulty and Eugene Gallagher while 2 conversions and a penalty were added by Eddie Conaty.

by Bill Duggan