Abbey VS make history by defeating Ashbourne CS to lift All-Ireland title

Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town created history by becoming the third school  from Donegal to lift the Paddy Drummond Cup with a great win over Ashbourne CS of Meath in the final in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.

The Donegal Town school did the hard work in the opening half with a superlative performance, hitting ten points, all of them class scores.

They had to survive an Ashbourne comeback in the second half but they weathered the storm and finished stronger than ever.

There were some magnificent performances, not least the Carr brothers, Kevin Muldoon, Callum McCrea, Conor McCahill and Conor Meehan, who while missing a few frees, hit six points for the winners.

Abbey got going from the off with Conor McCahill winning ball and finding Conor Meehan to launch the opening score.

Michael O’Sullivan, who looked dangerous in the opening quarter, had Ashbourne level within a minute.  Abbey had a goal chance seconds later with Kevin Muldoon powering through but his effort was too close to the ‘keeper.

McCahill was involved again, linking with Aaron McGrory to fire over, but Ashbourne hit back with points from O’Sullivan and Dylan Kettle (free) to momentarily take the  lead,

But Abbey then began to take control with Seanan Carr finding Conor Meehan to level matters and when Callum McCrea won a free Meehan edged Abbey ahead once more.

From then Abbey began to really express themselves with Turlough Carr driving them forward.

One point was better than what went before as Aaron McGrory, Kevin Muldoon, Conor Meehan (free), Turlough Carr with his left and McGrory again finding the range with an exquisite effort with the outside of his right.

Ashbourne were forced to bring in two subs but the Abbey defence were equal to what ever they threw at them.

And just before half time Turlough Carr once again made the opening, sending Kevin Muldoon on his way for the 10th Abbey point.

Half-time: Abbey VS 0-10, Ashbourne CS 0-3

Ashbourne came out with all guns firing at the start of the second half with two Michael O’Sullivan and a free from Dylan Kettle to cut the lead to four points after just 36 minutes.

Abbey were having trouble getting their kick-outs and Michael McIvor fired over their four  point of the second half.

Ashbourne had four wides as well before Kevin Muldoon made a break to set up Conor Meehan for their first point of the half on the 42nd minute.

Abbey had survived the Ashbourne hurricane and Seanan Carr sent them on their way with the 13th point and a five point lead.

Conor McCahill and O’Sullivan traded points before Turlough Carr sent McCahill through and he fired to the net. Kevin Muldoon earlier had a goal  chance while Daniel McIntyre was denied by the keeper as the game went into added time.

Ashbourne played the  last 10 minutes of the game without their captain Evan O’Kane as he was black carded for a tackle on Callum McCrea.

Deep in added time Daniel McIntyre took the curtain down on the scoring with the final point to make history for Abbey.

Abbey VS scorers: Conor Meehan 0-6,3f; Conor McCahill 1-2; Kevin Muldoon 0-2; Aaron McGrory 0-2; Turlough Carr, Seanan Carr, Daniel McIntyre 0-1 each.

Ashbourne scorers: Michael O’Sullivan 0-6; Dylan Kettle 0-2,2f; Michael McIvor 0-1.

Abbey VS: Daniel McGinty; Terence McGovern, Leo McGowan, Donal Gallagher; Caolan Sweeney, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan; Tiarnan McBride, Kevin Muldoon; Turlough Carr, Seanán Carr, Oisin Mogan; Conor McCahill, Aaron McGrory, Conor Meehan.

Subs: Johnathan O’Driscoll for Mogan (41); Patrick Gormley for McGrory (48); Daniel McIntyre for Meehan (58); Theo Colhoun for L McGowan (60+2); Callum Dunnion for McCrea (60+3)

Ashbourne CS: Aaron Lee; Jake Donnelly, Oisin Daly, Max Duffy; Patrick Moran, Aidan Mackey, Alexander  McCann; Eric Donohoe, George Hickey; Evan O’Kane, Dylan Kettle, Michael McIvor; Michael O’Sullivan, Niall Daly, Jack Doran.

Subs:  Joe Murray for M Duffy (23); Adam Doran for Daly (28); Ciaran McCullagh for P Moore (49)

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)