Boyne’s Junior 1’s recent good form came to an end at Ashbourne on Sunday last when they suffered defeat to an Ashbourne side who took their chances and ran in four try’s in a comprehensive 27pts to 3pts defeat over the visitors.
Boyne coaches, Declan McKeon and Eldon Moors, preparations for this encounter was seriously hampered with call-ups to the senior squad the previous day and the unavailability of other prominent players who have been performing well with this side during the season.
The home side got off to a great start when they scored a try inside the first five minutes of the game when Gav Kennedy touched down for the opening score. They converted this try. Boyne were put under severe pressure in the first 20 minutes and on the 18th minute Ashbourne increased their lead with another try when Cathal Field was the scorer. They failed with the conversion but this score put them in a commanding position early in the match.
However, Boyne were in no mood to concede that easily and had their best spell midway through the half. Whilst their forwards worked hard, admirably led by No. 8 Michael Maher, they failed to make the breakthrough and had to rely on an Alan McEneaney penalty to put them on the scoreboard. He had two further penalty chances from long range but, failed with both attempts.
Boyne finished the half on the offensive and despite Ashbourne having a player sin binned, they could not close the deficit. Ashbourne held on to their early 12 pt lead to Boyne’s solitary 3pts at half time.
Ashbourne had to wait until the 50th minute before taking full control of the game and it was from a Boyne attack inside their opponents half that Ashbourne set up their decisive score which clinched the game. Boyne lost control of the ball and turned it over. Ashbourne took full advantage and brokr down the left from their own 10’ line and ran in an excellent try per Paul Morris. They converted this and added a penalty five minutes later to leave their opponents with an impossible task with the clock running down.
A final unconverted try, almost on full time, by Joe Taylor completed the Ashbourne scoring and saw them safely into the next round where they will meet Tullamore at home.
Boyne were disjointed for most of this game and the disruption caused by the unavailability of players was very much in evidence. Nevertheless, they were in the game for long stages and the concession of early scores left them with a lot to do for the remainder of the match.