ST LOMANS 0-19     GARRYCASTLE 1-9

An under strength Garrycastle side travelled to Lakepoint Park for this re-arranged fixture against the home side.

Garrycastle made a good start and had built up a four point lead within the first 6 minutes thanks to a good supply of quick ball to the lively inside line. Michael Monaghan, Neil Rattigan, and two points from Dessie Dolan made up the Garrycastle total. St Lomans had a spell of dominance and had levelled matters by the 18^th minute with three points from play and one from a close range free. Dessie Dolan pushed Garrycastle ahead again from a free and in their next attack Garrycastle had a goal. A shot by Eoin Monaghan was pushed onto the post by the St Loman’s net minder but Garrycastle recycled possession and worked it in to Michael Monaghan who found the back of the net.  St Lomans hit back with two pointed efforts. Garrycastle created two good goal opportunities. However, both chances were passed up by Eoin Monaghan and them Mark McCallon. Eoin Monaghan pointed for the visitors in the 27^th minute. St Lomans responded with a point of their own and deep into injury time added another point to leave it 1-6 to 0-8 at the break in Garrycastle’s favour.

St Lomans upped the intensity after the restart and hit over four points to nudge ahead by the 37^th minute of play. Eoin Monaghan pointed for Garrycastle immediately to level the scores. However, Dessie Dolan pointed a minute later to put Garrycastle into the lead. Eoin Monaghan stretched their advantage with a point in the 40^th minute. However, this was to be their last score and a fitter St Lomans outfit began to dominate possession and racked up a succession of points. Patrick Mulvihill was dismissed late on for a second yellow card and with it went any hope of a Garrycastle revival.

This was a disappointing result for Garrycastle but given the number of regulars unavailable was a spirited and brave showing in the circumstances. It was obvious in the final quarter that St Lomans had been training and playing at a high level in recent weeks, whereas Garrycastle had only one outing since their championship semi-final defeat to the same opposition. There were particularly good displays by Jack Donoghue, Justin Barrett, Tom McHugh, Enda Mulvihill in defence. David O’Shaughnessy had a good first half but faded in the second period. Michael Monaghan, Eoin Monaghan, Patrick Mulvihill and Dessie Dolan were prominent in attack but were starved of possession in the second period.

Congratulations to St Lomans, who have now won the senior championship, ACL Division 1 and Feis Cup this year.

GARRYCASTLE: Cathal Mullin, Jack Donoghue, Justin Barrett, Mark McCallon, Tom McHugh, Enda Mulvihill, Anthony Larkin, David O’Shaughnessy, Neil Rattigan (0-1), Michael Monaghan (1-1), Eoin Monaghan (0-3), Peadar Mulvihill, Gary Dolan, Patrick Mulvihill and Dessie Dolan (0-4, 1f).

SUBS: Sean Brennan for Peadar Mulvihill (39 mins); Padraig Cosgrove for G Dolan (55 mins) and Gary Mullery for E Mulvihill (58 mins).

Report by Matt Ryan

Garrycastle 0-13; Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall 0-13

GARRYCASTLE 4-9              MILLTOWNPASS 1-15         (after extra time)

Garrycastle just about came out on top in an exciting final in Pairc Chirain last Friday night after the game went to extra time.

Milltownpass made the better start and raced into the lead with points in the 2^nd and 5^th minutes of the game. They also had a few goal opportunities but a combination of good goalkeeping by the Garrycastle net-minder, Shane O’Connell, and his full back line prevented a green flag being raised. Gradually Garrycastle got a foothold in the match and Padraig Cosgrove pointed in the 10^th minute to get his side off the mark. In Garrycastle’s next attack Michael Monaghan pointed a free after a foul on Enda Keena. Garrycastle then hit the front when Johnny McGuire pointed after he was found with a clever pass by Michael Monaghan. Milltownpass responded with a pointed free to level matters. Shane O’Connell had to come to his side’s rescue with a couple of good saves and Michael Monaghan pointed from a close range free in the 19^th minute to put Garrycastle ahead again. In his first contribution as a substitute, Alan Daly was set clear on goal but was fouled close in and Pat Fox rightly awarded a penalty to Garrycastle. Alan dusted himself down to slot home a goal to stretch his side’s lead. Their lead was further increased when Peadar Mulvihill pointed in the 24^th minute. Milltownpass responded well to these setbacks and rattled off three unanswered points before the break to leave the score 1-5 to 0-6 at half time.

The attendance witnessed an incredible start to the second half, Garrycastle added to their lead when Alan Daly crashed an unstoppable shot to the Milltown net with under two minutes played. From the kick-out Garrycastle attacked again and an effort from Paul Gunning deceived the Milltownpass net-minder and dropped into the net to put Garrycastle 8 points to the good. Milltownpass responded with points in the 39^th and 43^rd minutes to narrow the gap. However, the Garrycastle cause was dealt a significant blow a minute later when Robbie Fox was shown a red card following a clash with an opponent. Milltownpass exerted sever pressure on the Garrycastle defence, which did well to restrict them to points from distance, but as the clock moved on Milltownpass reduced the lead further with 3 good points. A goal in the 51^st minute for Milltownpass brought the sides level. Both sides had opportunities to get a winner in normal time but the defences held out and the game finished level on a scoreline of 3-5 to 1-11. So two periods of 10 minutes beckoned for both sides.

Garrycastle were restored to a full complement for extra time with the introduction of Paul Mulvihill to their attack. It was Milltownpass who registered the first score, a point in the first minute of added time. Two quick fire points from Alan Daly pushed Garrycastle into the lead but Milltownpass equalised with a pointed free to leave the sides level at the extra time break.

A fine point from Neil Rattigan pushed Garrycastle ahead again in the 71^st minute. The game’s defining score came in Garrycastle’s next attack. Good approach play put Alan Daly in on goal; his effort was well saved by the Milltownpass net-minder. However, Alan reacted quickly and managed to fire the loose ball past the goalkeeper to put his side four points up with just 7 minutes remaining. To their credit Milltownpass fought back strongly and points in the 73^rd and 75^th minutes narrowed the gap to just two points. However, it was Garrycastle who got the next score, a point from a free by Michael Monaghan to stretch the lead to a goal with just a couple of minutes remaining. Garrycastle used all their experience in the final minutes and kept possession to the frustration of their opponents. Garrycastle winners then on a scoreline of 4-9 to 1-15 at the final whistle.

 

So Garrycastle captured their second Junior “B” title after extra time, just as they had done in 2010 against Ballynacargy. Great praise is due to both sides for an exciting game given the heavy underfoot conditions. While this win was a team effort, Garrycastle were particularly well served by the displays of Shane O’Connell, Sean Cary, Anthony Larkin, Gary Mullery, Noel Galvin, Michael Monaghan, Padraig Cosgrove and “super-sub” Alan Daly.

 

Westmeath County Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan, presented the Junior B trophy to Garrycastle captain, Peadar Mulvihill, after the game and complimented both sides and Referee, Pat Fox on a fine game. He also thanked Athlone GAA for staging the final and compliments the club on its presentation.

GARRYCASTLE: Shane O’Connell, Sean Carey, Anthony Larkin, Gary Mullery, Emmet Keena, Johnny McGuire (0-1), Ronan Donoghue, Robbie Fox, Neil Rattigan (0-1), Peadar Mulvihill [capt (0-1)], Noel Galvin, Michael Monaghan (0-3, 3f), Paul Ginning (1-0), Padraig Cosgrove (0-1) and Enda Keena.

SUBS: Alan Daly (3-2, 1-0 pen) for J McGuire (22 min, 3-2); Mark Curley for Enda Keena (47 min); J McGuire for N Rattigan (52 min); Colman Gantley for Peadar Mulvihill (56 min).

SUB - Extra Time: Paul Mulvihill

SUBS not used: Frank Doolan, Stephen McGuire, Mark Fox.

Report by Matt Ryan

GARRYCASTLE 5-11 MULLINGAR SHAMROCKS 1-11

The seniors qualified for the Feis Cup final with a good win over the home team on a miserable afternoon in Springfield last Saturday. Both sides were without several regulars and showed all the signs of players that had been out of competitive action for several weeks. With a very strong wind at their backs Garrycastle needed to build up a good lead by half time and they did just that, with goals from Gary Dolan and Paddy Mulvihill (2) helping them to a lead of 3-7 to 1-3 as they turned round to face the elements.

GARRYCASTLE 0-9    TYRRELLSPASS 0-3

Garrycastle's second team brought the Senior B title to the club for the second time with a hard-earned win over Tyrrellspass in Garrycastle last Sunday morning. Steady overnight rain had left the pitch very heavy and three torrential downpours on Sunday morning (two of them during the game) made conditions very difficult for the players. Despite these difficulties, both teams managed some fine football and the game was played in a good spirit throughout. Referee Declan Nugent handled the game superbly, making due allowance for the difficult conditions.

Garrycastle 2-7    Rosemount 1-10

Garrycastle's second team remain in a very creditable position in the top half of the Division 2 table after securing a draw with the home team in Rosemount last Saturday. Short several players, Garrycastle were further depleted in the opening minutes when Neill Rattigan had to retire with a shoulder injury. Rosemount took an early lead but Garrycastle wasted two very good goal chances before they eventually found the net through Paul Mulvihill, who reacted quickest when James Duignan's free came back off the post. Trailing by 0-6 to 1-2 at the break, Garrycastle started the second half positively with two excellent points from Johnny McGuire. Further points from Peadar and Paul Mulvihill and Anthony Larkin kept Garrycastle ahead but now it was Rosemount's turn to miss some goal opportunities, while Mark Keenan made a few good saves in Garrycastle's goal. The home side finally breached the Garrycastle defence for a goal and led by three points coming into the closing minutes. Tom McHugh burst forward from the back and his effort for an equalising goal was deflected across the square where Enda Keena was on hand to level the game. Both sides then had chances to win but in the end a draw was a fair result.

ST LOMANS 2-19     GARRYCASTLE 5-09           

 

Garrycastle seniors bowed out of this year’s championship in dramatic fashion in Cusack Park, when a goal very deep into added time secured a one point win for St Lomans.

 

This was cracking game and the lead swung from one side to the other as they battled to gain supremacy. St Lomans took the lead early on from a free but Garrycastle hit the game’s first goal in the 3^rd minute when Patrick Mulvihill was set up to blast the ball into the net. Damien Rushe added a point for Garrycastle and Patrick Mulvihill pointed from close range to stretch Garrycastle’s lead. Five pointed frees, all coming from John Helsin pushed St Loman’s ahead by the 14^th minute. The same player added tow points from play and put his side 3 points ahead. Patrick Mulvihill replied with a point for Garrycastle. St Lomans had three more points, two of which came from frees, to stretch their lead to 5 points by the 24^th minute. The game took a dramatic turn as Gary Dolan converted a penalty and almost immediately James Dolan goaled to put his side ahead. However, in his attempt to score James suffered a head injury and had to retire (initially he was replaced by Michael Monaghan, as a blood sub). Michael added a point on his introduction to leave it 3-4 to 0-11 at the break.

 

Michael Monaghan was confirmed as a permanent replacement for James Dolan for the restart. St Lomans hit over two points on the resumption but Garrycastle responded with points from Michael Monaghan, who had two, and a 45 from Seanie O’Donoghue. A goal from John Heslin bought St Lomans level in the 39^th minute. Eoin Monaghan pointed for Garrycastle but three points for St Lomans, two of which came from frees, pushed them into the lead again. A fourth Garrycastle goal, this coming from Michael Monaghan, put Garrycastle one point up in the 53^rd minute. James Duignan pointed from distance for Garrycastle but points from a free and one from play had the sides’ level again.  Another point from St Lomans in injury time pushed them into the lead but a long delivery into the St Lomans goal-area was gathered by Gary Dolan and he was dragged to ground. A penalty was awarded and Gary scored his second goal to put his side two points up. It looked all over and only referee, Brendan Keena, can explain how he managed to add on several more minutes but St Lomans took full advantage and in their last attack a high ball was punched to the Garrycastle net.

 

This was a cruel result for Garrycastle, who showed all their battling qualities. There were good performances from Tom McHugh, Doron Harte, Seanie O’Donoghue Gary Dolan, Patrick Mulvihill, Damian Rushe and substitute Michael Monaghan. We wish James Dolan a speedy recovery.

 

GARRYCASTLE: Cathal Mullin, Mark McCallon, John Gaffey, Tom McHugh, Doron Harte, Enda Mulvihill, Gary McCallon, Seanie O’Donoghue (0-1, 1 45mt), Gary Dolan (2-0, 2-0 pen), Matthew Guiheen, James Dolan (1-0), James Duignan (0-1), Eoin Monaghan (0-1), Patrick Mulvihill (1-2) and Damian Rushe (0-1).

 

SUBS:  Alan Fox for G McCallon (29 min); Michael Monaghan (1-3) for J Dolan (inj, 30 min); Justin Barrett for T McHugh (inj, 36 min); David O’Shaughnessy for  E Mulvihill (46 min); Neil Rattigan for D Rushe (51 min).

Report by Matt Ryan

GARRYCASTLE 1-12            THE DOWNS 1-10

 

Garrycastle seniors did just about enough to squeeze by The Downs in an entertaining quarterfinal in sunny Rochfordbridge last Saturday evening.

 

The early exchanges were even with The Downs taking the lead with a pointed free and Dessie Dolan replying for Garrycastle, also from a fee. Another pointed free for The Downs was quickly followed up with an excellent point for The Downs by Luke Loughlin. Dessie Dolan pointed again from a free in the 12^th minute. The Downs stretched their lead with another point from a tight angle. Dessie Dolan pointed yet again for Garrycastle, his third free of the match in the 16^th minute. A pointed free for The Downs was replied to by Dessie Dolan with yet another free converted from close range. The same player levelled the score with his fifth successful free in the 26^th minute. Eoin Monaghan then put his side ahead with a well taken score from play. However, The Downs responded well and hit over two quick-fire points, both from play, to lead as the half time whistler beckoned. The final score of the half came in the second minute of added time for The Downs from a free to leave it 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.

 

Enda Mulvihill was introduced for the start of the second period and this necessitated a reshuffle of the Garrycastle defence. A pointed free from Dessie Dolan was quickly followed with a point from James Dolan to level matters after only 3 minutes of play. The Downs regained the lead with a pointed fee soon afterwards. In the 11^th minute of the half, Garrycastle were awarded a penalty as Eoin Monaghan was fouled in the large square. Gary Dolan blasted the ball to The Downs net to restore his side’s lead.  The sides exchanged pointed frees, the Garrycastle effort by James Duignan who took over the free taking duties as Dessie Dolan had retired through injury. The game was thrown right open in the 54^th minute when The Downs opened up the Garrycastle defence and goaled to take a 1 point lead. In the next minute The Downs were awarded a penalty for a foul near the Garrycastle goal but Cathal Mullin made an excellent save to deny them what would surely have been a decisive score with just 5 minutes remaining. Garrycastle took full advantage when James Duignan pointed a free from distance to level matters on 57 minutes. As the game entered its last minute Garrycastle grabbed the lead when an Eoin Monaghan effort for a point was blocked but James Dolan secured possession and pointed. The Downs pressed forward looking for an equaliser but it was Garrycastle who increased their lead in the first minute of added time when substitute, Michael Monaghan, coolly slotted over appoint from close range.

 

Victory in a close fought game gave Garrycastle a place in the semi-final next weekend but in truth they will have to play much better if they are to have any prospect of advancing to the final. There were good performances from Cathal Mullin, Mark McCallon, Doron Harte and Tom McHugh in defence. Garrycastle struggled to exert influence in midfield. In attack there were good performances from Matthew Guiheen, James Dolan and Dessie Dolan.

 

 

GARRYCASTLE: Cathal Mullin, Mark McCallon, John Gaffey, Alan Fox, Doron Harte, Tom McHugh, Gary McCallon, Seanie O’Donoghue, David O’Shaughnessy, Matthew Guiheen, James Dolan (0-2), James Duignan (0-2, 2f), Eoin Monaghan (0-1), Gary Dolan (1-0, 1-0 pen) and Dessie Dolan (0-6, 6f).

 

SUBS:  Enda Mulvihill for A Fox (Half time); Aidan Browne for D O’Shaughnessy (42 min); Patrick Mulvihill for S O’Donaghue (45 min); Michael Monaghan (0-1) for D Dolan (45 min).

Report by Matt Ryan