Donoughmore stayed in touch at the top of the table with a narrow victory away to an under strenght Dillons Cross. A strong breeze through out the game made it difficult both team, but Dillons settled better and put pressure on the Donoughmore defence early on. Dillons won several corners, one of which Terrence Looney had to clear off the line with his head. Once Kevin O Riordan settled in goal, he handled everything that came his way as the half wore on. Donoughmore's first real chance came on the 25th min when Aidan O Shea cut in from the right hand side, but his left foot shot was well saved by the keeper. The other chance of note came from a Pat foley free kick that was sent in from the left, but Sean O Mahony and Connie Buckley managed to get in each others way with only the keeper to beat from eight yards out.
Jamie Lewis was introduced to the game on the 55th min, returning from a four Week lay-off and made an immediate impression. Within two minutes Lewis first attempt struck the cross bar from distance, Dan McSweeney tried to get his head to the rebound, but the high challenge only resulted in a corner to the away side. Minutes later Lewis picked up the ball in his own half and beat three players before putting Aidan O Shea though only for the Keeper to make an excellent save. Dillons were starting  to tire at this stage and Donoughmore kept chasing the winner. This came on the 78th min when Lewis again picked out Aidan O Shea's run from the right hand side and O Shea finised with a cool left foot finish to the far corner. Dillons responded but the Donoughmore defence were in control at this stage, which enabled them to see out the game.
Best performers on the day were Kevin O Riordan in goal, Connie Buckley and Rob O Sullivan in defence, Aidan O Shea and Jamie Lewis when introduced in midfield.
Team: Kevin O Riordan, Cathal O Hanlon, Terrence Looney, Rob O Sullivan, Connie Buxkley, Colm Buckley, Pat Foley, Aidan O Shea, Ken Cullinane, Sean O Mahony, Dan McSweeney. Subs Jamie Lewis for Pat Foley, John Hennessy for Sean O Mahony, Aidan O Brien for Dan McSweeney, Rob o Regan, Dave Hogan.
 

Donoughmore's next fixture is away to Dillon's Croos in Silver Heights on Sunday afternoon next, kick-off at 2.30pm.

Donoughmore completed the double away to local rivals Rylane on Sunday last. A superb hat-trick by man of the match Aidan O'Shea capped a very good team performance. Donoughmore came into this game missing half a dozen first team regulars but showed that the squad has got strength in depth. Rylane started well and caused Donougmore some problems but as the game went on Donoughmore began to get the upper hand. Aidan O'Shea got the opener when he finished cooly to the net when a Pat Foley corner dropped to him ten yards out. Ken Cullinane, making his first start for a number of months, grabbed the second when he headed in from an acute angle after some good work by Darragh O'Shea. Connie Buckley scored the third when his free-kick from the half-way line confused the Rylane kepper and sailed all the way to the net for a great goal. Dan McSweeney then earned Donoughmore a penalty when he went on a mazy run through the Rylane defence before being up ended before he could get a shot away.  Aidan O'Shea stepped up to slot the penalty away to score his second and give Donoughmore a four goal lead. O'Shea then had a chance for his hat-trick minutes later when he was put through a wide open Rylane defence but he unselfishly squared it for Ken Cullinane who unfortunately was ruled offside by the referee. The score was 4-0 at half-time and as expected a wounded Rylane team came out fighting at the start of the second half. The first 20 minutes or so was an even affair with both teams battling it out. Connie Buckley, Rob O'Sullivan, Cathal O'Hanlon and Terence Looney in the Donoughmore defence were keeping a tight rein on Rylane's attack but Evan Forde in goal still had to make two very good saves during this period. Aidan O'Shea put the result beyond doubt and completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute when he beat his marker before finishing high into the Rylane net. Rylane pulled a goal back from a corner at this stage but Rob O'Regan restored Donoughmore's advantage immediately when he finished well after a good through ball from Dave Hogan. Rylane got a late consolation goal with minutes to go but it didn't take the gloss off Donoughmore's performance. As already mentioned Aidan O'Shea put in a man of the match performance from centre midfield with Colm O'Sullivan and Connie Buckley also standing out. 
Team: E. Forde, C. O'Hanlon, C. Buckley, R. O'Sullivan, T. Looney, P. Foley, C. O'Sullivan, A. O'Shea,                                                 K. Cullinane, D. O'Shea,  D. McSweeney.
Subs: D. Hogan for D. O'Shea, R. O'Regan for K. Cullinane and A. O'Brien for D. McSweeney.

        

Donoughmore are at home to Buttevant in Stuake next Thursday, kick-off at 6.30pm.

Everybody at the club would like to extend it's best wishes to Noel O'Connell who is moving to the US for a six month college placement. Noel has had a brilliant season for the club and he will be badly missed.  

Donoughmore are away to Wilton Utd "B" in the last 16 of the Corinthians Cup. The match is on at the Lee Road next Sunday morning, kick-off at 10.45.