BIG V WINS AGAIN TO CLOSE 2013 TOUR

The Big V maintained its unbeaten record against Donaghmore-Ashbourne with a exciting six point victory on Sunday afternoon. The Vics, down to nineteen players with the calf injury to Cus Allan, called on former Woodrow Medallist and team co-coach Quinton Gleeson to sharpen his sprigs for the final time. The home team had scouted the Emerald Isle and included guest players in its squad of thirty-two, providing a daunting challenge from the outset.
Ash Close booted two overs in the first stanza and Ross Young got one, but the Donnies looked the better team, leading 15-11 at the turn despite great efforts from Adam “Ace” Collett in the red goalkeeper’s shirt. 
Worse was to come early in the second, as the home club scored twice in the opening minute to take an 8 point lead. The Vics looked rattled, but in a brilliant backs-to-the-wall display, found a method to shut down their opponents and then do some scoring themselves. Bede Mahon kicked a nice over and Adam Bentick tapped in a cross and the teams went to the locker rooms at the half tied at 19.
Out they came again and the Ammo team was in no mood to surrender the momentum. At the two minute mark, Peter Summers hit a rocket first-time and the Donaghmore keeper had to pick it out of the back of the net. Glenn Costas booted an over, while the hosts could score only a consolation behind. Tommy Paule added another over and things looked grim for the home team. Woe betide the early crow – DA added 3, then 6, then 1 in rapid fashion and the margin was back to two. Collett and Andrew Young combined to deny another six pointer. Then Ben Smithwick overed a late one and the Big V went to the lemons leading by five.
The final term was an intense affair. The hosts opened the scoring with an over but Brendan Goss quickly responded. Then ensued 8 scoreless minutes of desperate football that tested the Vics. Adam Collett pulled off another miraculous save that might have snatched victory for the men in green.  But Ross Young steadied the ship by booting another over and Adam Bentick kicked a point before time ran out.
It was a massive win for the Vics, who put in their best team performance of the tour. Glenn Costas and Jarrod Carlson played their finest games of the trip while Dimitri Dimakopoulos was awarded the Spirit of the Big V award for his dashes from defence.
The Donnies’ hospitality was again immense and the last night of the tour was a long one for a group that assembled as strangers and comes home a team. 
Final score: 
VAFA 1-11-5-(44) d Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-5-9-(36)
Scorers: 
R Young 0.2.2
Bentick 0.2.1
Close 0.2.0
Summers 1.0.0
Smithwick 0.1.1
Mahon 0.1.0
Costas 0.1.0
Paule 0.1.0
Goss 0.1.0
Walsh 0.0.1
Best: Summers, Dimakopoulos, R Young, Paule, A Young, Smithwick, Collett