Match Reports Adult

Senior (Men) Football Placings Play-off [12 September 2020]

GARRYCASTLE 1-10 KILLUCAN 0-10

Our seniors completed their 2020 championship campaign with a hard earned victory over Kilucan last Saturday evening which guarantees them top flight status in the senior grade next year.

Fielding with three changes from the last game, James Sheeran, Ger Heneghan and Andrew Monaghan for Conor Cosgrove, Jason Nugent and Doron Harte, this was a game where Garrycastle played in fits and starts. In the first quarter, facing a strong wind, they struggled to contain a lively Kilucan and were 0- 4 to 0-1 behind at the first water break. They then began to come to terms with the opposition and were breaking up more of their attacks resulting in them only adding 2 points to their tally. Late in the half Garrycastle themselves added two points and a great Alex Gardiner shot was well saved by the keeper to leave the halftime score at 0-6 to 0-3.

Our lads started in a whirlwind in the second half with urgency, plenty of movement and well taken scores. After 8 minutes Garrycastle led by a point and looked to be on the way to a comfortable win especially when Tom O'Halloran shot to the net after a ball arrived at his feet 10 yards out. On a Kilucan attack they were awarded a penalty after 16 minutes but after a brilliant double save by Sean Brennan they failed to reduce the margin. Two more Garrycastle points and the lead was six after 22 minutes and looked unassailable. But Kilucan didn't give up and they dominated the rest of the match reducing the lead to three. At the end Garrycastle found themselves defending a 45 dropped into the square which was gathered and cleared as the final whistle sounded.

While every player put in a hard shift Sean Brennan has to get accolades for his brilliant double save at a crucial time. There was a large spread of scorers which is encouraging but the collapse in the last 10 minutes must concern management. While we failed in the difficult task of retaining the Flannagan cup we retained our place in the top bracket of Westmeath football with plenty to look forward to in 2021.

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan, Mark McCallon, Jack Donohoe, Gary McCallon, James Dolan (0-1), John Gaffey, Eoin Mulvihill, Justin Barrett (0-1), James Sheeran, Ger Henaghan, Tom O'Halloran (1-1), Michael Monaghan, Eoin Monaghan (0-1), Alex Gardiner (0-3), Andrew Monaghan (0-1).

Subs: Conor Cosgrove for Ger Henaghan (blood sub); Conor Cosgrove(0-1) for Ger Henaghan; Jason Nugent (0-1 ) for Eoin Monaghan; Cathal Mannion for James Sheeran; Mickey Greene for Michael Monaghan; James Sheeran for Justin Barrett (inj).

Senior Football Championship (Men) Quarter-Final [30 August 2020]

THE DOWNS 1-08 GARRYCASTLE 0-10

The quarter final of the senior championship was to have been an easy game for our seniors but this is not how it played out in Cusack Park on Sunday last. The Downs came with a game plan to pack their defence and disrupt Garrycastle's normal free flowing style of play and they stuck to it well. Meantime facing this new challenge the Garrycastle players found it very hard to create openings. To make matters worse we left our shooting boots at home, kicking 19 wides, many of them from frees. As the game wore on it had the feel of "one of those days" when nothing would go right. The pattern of the game was that Garrycastle dominated possession but in trying to pass the ball through the hand ran up a lot of blind alleys. On the counter attack The Downs were dangerous and picked off some good points from distance. Their goal came midway though the first half from a good ball inside the backs which the centre forward slotted home. Meanwhile scores were coming slowly for Garrycastle, unusually only scoring 0-3 in the first half to 1-3 for The Downs.

The failure to hit the target started in the first half when a number of scorable chances were wide. The Downs competed well for the third quarter and led by 4 after 45 minutes but spent the majority of the last quarter in defence with our midfield totally dominant. In that last quarter Garrycastle added 5 points to The Downs 2. Alex Gardiner drew the sides level after 59 minutes with his seventh point of the day and we were thinking of extra time. Unfortunately another Garrycastle attack was broken up resulting in a Downs foray up the field which ended with them regaining the lead in the 32nd minute. One last Garrycastle attack resulted in a wide. This was a game which we left behind without doubt but while things didn't go our way the players put in a huge shift and certainly can't be faulted for lack of effort. But the show goes on and while the Flannagan cup is out of our reach we still have a game to play to decide who goes into the top division of the senior next year.

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan, Mark McCallon, Jack Donohoe, Gary McCallon, James Dolan, John Gaffey, Doron Harte, Justin Barrett, Eoin Mulvihill, Conor Cosgrove, Tom O'Halloran, Michael Monaghan (0-1), Eoin Monaghan (0-1), Alex Gardiner (0-7), Jason Nugent.

Subs Ger Henaghan for Tom O'Halloran (Blood sub); James Sheeran for Jason Nugent ; Mathew Guiheen for Conor Cosgrove; Andrew Monaghan (0-1) for Tom O'Halloran; Ger Henaghan for John Gaffey.

Junior Football Championship (Men) Quarter-Final [30 August 2020]

TUBBERCLAIR 0-20 GARRYCASTLE 1-10

Our juniors failed to make the championship semi final losing out to Tubberclair in Tang on Saturday evening last. Played in almost perfect conditions Garrycastle were facing the hill and slight breeze in the first half. The early exchanges were even and it was 8 minutes before Tubberclair got the first score of the game. They added 2 more before Garrycastle got their first point. The half continued like this with Tubberclair adding 2 or 3 points to 1 for Garrycastle to leave the score at halftime 0-9 to 0-4. Garrycastle's defence were conceding a lot of frees while their forwards were losing possession after getting into the opposition's half.

At the start of the second half Garrycastle got far more into the game and were playing with more cohesion. After 12 minutes the lead was cut to 3 points but Tubberclair got a second wind and by 23 minutes led by 6 again. Then a good Garrycastle move ended with Philip Monaghan knocking the ball into the Tubberclair net to reduce the lead to 3. It was game on, but after 27 minutes an altercation occurred which resulted in John O'Brien, who had been winning a lot of possession in midfield, getting a red card along with a Tubberclair player. After this Tubberclair totally dominated adding 5 points to Garrycastle's 1. It was a tough and a good quality game where the Garrycastle lads pushed championship favourites to the limit.

GARRYCASTLE: Shane Moran, Fergal McKiernan, Mark Curley, Gary Mullery, Daniel Guinan, Bill Kelly, Cathal Redmond, John O'Brien, Conor McKiernan, Enda Keena, Damien Rushe, Sean Doak, Philip Monaghan (1-1), Dylan Keegan (0-3), Cathal Mannion (0-5).

Subs: Ciaran O'Neill for Conor McKiernan; Kenny Dolan for Sean Doak; Robbie Shine(0-1) for Dylan Keegan; Brian McCormack for Enda Keena; Ben Kennedy for Fergal McKiernan.

Junior Football Championship (Men) [23 August 2020]

GARRYCASTLE 1-14 CASTLETOWN/FINEA/COOLE/WHITEHALL 1-08

Garrycastle Junior Championship side had a successful outing in a keenly contested match against Castletown/Finea/Coole/Whitehall played in ideal conditions in Ballinagore on Saturday last. This was a must win game following the defeat to Ballinagore in the first match of the 2020 campaign.

Dylan Keegan opened Garrycastle's account and this was followed by 2 points by Castletown Finea Coole Whitehall within 3 minutes of the start. Garrycastle settled and added a further 3 points before quick thinking by Cathal Mannion set up Enda Keena for a well taken goal on the quarter hour mark. Garrycastle added a number of well taken points before Dylan Keegan secured a mark and scored to leave the half time score at 1-9 to 0-4.

The second half started with a goal from the north Westmeath outfit which reduced the deficit to 5 points. A free from Cathal Mannion and another quick thinking move by the same player set up Philip Monaghan to stretch the lead for the Green & Red. From there to the finish the teams traded points as Garrycastle kept their composure and ran out worthy winners by a 6 point margin. This was a good team performance and the players showed great spirit, commitment and positive attitude led by Captain Damien Rushe.

The reward for this victory is a Quarter-final clash against Tubberclair relegated from Intermediate last year and hot favourites to return to the higher grade this year.

GARRYCASTLE: Shane McEnery, Fergal McKiernan, Mark Curley, Gary Mullery, Daniel Guinan, Adam Kennedy (0-1), Cathal Redmond, John O'Brien, Conor McKiernan (0-1), Enda Keena (1-0), Damien Rushe, Philip Monaghan (0-2), Kenny Dolan, Dylan Keegan (0-5, 1m, 1f), Cathal Mannion (0-5, 2f).

Subs: Brian Ruane for K. Dolan; Sean Doak for Conor McKiernan; Bryan McCormack for Damien Rushe.

Junior Football Championship (Men) [11 August 2020]

GARRYCASTLE 1-12 BALLINAGORE 4-10

The juniors had their first outing in the championship on Sunday losing out to Ballinagore in an unsavoury game played in Kilbeggan. Unusually, three red and one black card were given to Garrycastle players during the game. The early stages of the game were fairly evenly contested with Ballinagore having a one point lead after 23 minutes. Between then and half time disaster struck for Garrycastle conceding 3 goals leaving the score at the break 3-4 to 0-4. In fairness to our lads they fought hard to get back in the game and reduced the lead to 4 points coming into the latter stages, 3-10 to 1-12. A late goal for Ballinagore put 7 points between the sides at full time.

The next outing for this team is against Castletown Finea Coole Whitehall which is a must win game for both sides.

GARRYCASTLE: Shane Moran, Daniel Guinan, Mark Curley, Gary Mullery, Enda Keena, Bill Kelly, Cathal Redmond, John O'Brien, Sean Doak (0-1), Dylan Keegan (0-3), Damien Rushe (0-1), Adam Kennedy (1-0), Kenny Dolan, Robbie Shine, Cathal Mannion (0-6).

Subs : Jonny Maguire (0-1) for Robbie Shine;Cillian Lyons for Daniel Guinan;Fergus McKiernan for Cathal Redmond;Ciaran O'Neill for John O'Brien;Brian McCormack for Mark Curley.

Senior Football Championship (Men) [11 August 2020]

GARRYCASTLE 5-11 CAULRY 0-05

Garrycastle ensured a place in the quarter final of the senior championship after defeating neighbours Caulry in Athlone on Saturday evening last. An early goal from James Dolan gave our lads a lead they never lost. Caulry, using a sweeper, competed well in the first quarter and got some excellent scores. However Garrycastle who were showing good movement and were better able to work and take scores gradually crept ahead and led by 4 points after about 20 minutes. Conor Cosgrove was found loose with a good cross field ball and he worked himself into a better position and took his goal well. There was only going to be one winner after this and the halftime score was 2-7 to 0-4.

Garrycastle added a point soon after halftime and the pace of the game dropped noticeably. Tom O'Halloran was involved in a good move which he finished to the net himself. Caulry missed a few chances from frees, mostly long range. After a yellow card for Alex Gardiner management replaced him with Andrew Monaghan. The latter stages of the game were dominated by Jason Nugent who added two goals to Garrycastle's tally. Caulry only added a point in the second half. From Garrycastle's point of view the win qualifies them for a quarter final. Management will have to be happy with the performance of the younger players. Eoin Mulvihill, playing at midfield had an excellent game, while Jason Nugent was always a thorn in Caulry's side and Andrew Monaghan, when introduced, showed that he can perform at this level.

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan, Mark McCallon, Jack Donohoe, Matthew Guiheen, James Dolan (1-0), John Gaffey, Gary McCallon (0-1), Eoin Mulvihill, James Sheeran, Michael Monaghan, Tom O'Halloran (1-0), Conor Cosgrove (1-2), Eoin Monaghan, Alex Gardiner, Jason Nugent (2-3).

Subs : Andrew Monaghan for Alex Gardiner (0-5);Ger Heneghan for Conor Cosgrove; Mickey Greene for Michael Monaghan;Anthony Larkin for Mark McCallon.

Senior Football championship - Men [2 August 2020]

ATHLONE 2-07 GARRYCASTLE 0-17

Our seniors started their defence of the Flannagan Cup with a good win over neighbours Athlone after a hard battle in Tubberclair on Sunday evening. Playing with the wind Athlone found the net after 4 minutes following a good flowing move to lead by a goal to a point. They then increased their lead to 3 points before Garrycastle started to find their feet. Between the 8th and 27th minutes Garrycastle added 5 points and were dominating play. Athlone attacks were ending with wides. Midway through the half a nice Garrycastle move finished with a Conor Cosgrove shot which was well saved by the keeper. Then in the 28th minute a high ball into the Garrycastle goalmouth was deflected by Sean Brennan and the rebound was finished to the net to leave the score 0-7 to 2-2. In the minutes before half time both sides added a point. On the resumption two points were shared by the sides but for the next 20 minutes Garrycastle dominated, outscoring their opponents by 8 points to 2 to lead by 5 points. A late point for Athlone reduced the lead to 4 points when the final whistle went. It was a good Garrycastle performance with a lot of good movement, good kick passing and plenty of well taken scores. In the second half the Athlone keeper was busy saving two shots from Michael Monaghan and one from Alex Gardiner.

There were many good performances with strong contributions by many players at different stages but Tom O'Halloran caught the eye a lot for his work rate, kick passing and scoring. A feature of the new rules was evident with Garrycastle in particular making good use of the forward mark.

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan, Mark McCallon, Jack Donohoe, Gary McCallon, James Dolan (0-1), John Gaffey (0-1), Doron Harte, Eoin Mulvihill, James Sheeran, Michael Monaghan (0-2), Tom O'Halloran (0-2), Conor Cosgrove (0-4), Eoin Monaghan (0-1), Alex Gardiner (0-4), Jason Nugent (0-1).

Subs Ger Henaghan (0-1) for Conor Cosgrove; Justin Barrett for Jason Nugent; Mathew Guiheen for Gary McCallon; Andrew Monaghan for Tom O'Halloran; Anthony Larkin for Doron Harte.

All County League Div. 4B - Men [22 July 2020]

GARRYCASTLE 1-09 ROSEMOUNT 3-08

The 2nd team had a disappointing outing losing at home to Rosemount by 5 points. The visitors' first score was a goal giving them a lead they never lost. Rosemount had built up a lead of 4 points when Sean Doak goaled for the home side leaving the halftime score at 1- 4 to 1-3. The concession of 1-3 in the 10 minutes after halftime was where Garrycastle lost the match leaving them 9 points behind. In fairness they rallied well outscoring the opposition by 0-6 to 0-2 in the last 20 minutes but there was a lack of penetration to get the goal they needed. Hopefully this side will do better in later games.

GARRYCASTLE: Fergal McKiernan, Gary Mullery, Fergal McKiernan, Daniel Guinan, Bill Kelly, Mark Curley. Enda Keena, Adam Kennedy (0-1). John 0'Brien, Brian Ruane, Damien Rushe (0-1), Cathal Mannion (0-1), Kenny Dolan O-2), Dylan Keegan(0-1) Sean Doak(1-0)

Subs: Cathal Redmond (0-1) Conor Duignan, Philip Monaghan (0-1), Brian McCormack (0-1), Conor McKiernan.

All County League Div. 1 - Men [21 July 2020]

MILLTOWN 1-08 GARRYCASTLE 4-15

The 1st league game since February took place during the week when Garrycastle visited Miltown. Early points by both sides saw the sides level after 15 minutes. A goal from Conor Cosgrove and 2 further points in the 2nd quarter gave Garrycastle a half time lead of 1-5 to 0-3. Miltown reduced the lead with a point before Garrycastle scored 3 unanswered points. Miltown followed with two of their own and with 1-2 for the visitors and 0-1 for the home side the score after 40 minutes 2 -10 to 0-7, the 2nd goal coming from James Sheeran. A Miltown goal reduced the lead before Garrycastle went on a scoring spree in the remaining time scoring 2-5 to 0-1 the late goals coming from Eoin Monaghan and Jason Nugent. It was great to have games back and an encouraging performance for the first game after the layoff.

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan, Mark McCallon, Jack Donohoe, Gary McCallon, James Dolan, John Gaffey, Doron Harte, Eoin Mulvihill, Eoin Mulvihill, James Sheeran, Michael Monaghan, Tom O'Halloran, Conor Cosgrove, Eoin Monaghan, Alex Gardiner, Jason Nugent.

All County League (Div 1) Men [23 February 2020]

TANG 1-09 GARRYCASTLE 2-06

The 2020 season got under way last in Tang on Saturday last when the local team held Garrycastle to a draw after a hard game played in a strong wind and on a surprisingly good pitch. The game got niggly in the second half and towards the end when tempers got frayed. However, both sets of players deserve credit for big efforts on a very difficult day for football. Garrycastle played against a wind that blew hard into one corner. Their first goal came from an attack where a goalbound shot was blocked and after a couple of rebounds seemed to go into the net off a Tang player. The second goal arrived after a good move and the ball was crossed to the centre where Eoin Mulivihill gathered and netted. This left the score 2-0 to 0-2 after 20 minutes. Michael Monaghan increased the lead with a point after 28 minutes but in the final 2 minutes of the half Tang scored 1-2 to level the scores at halftime.

In the first 7 minutes of the second half points from Conor Cosgrove, Justin Barrett and Alex Gardiner were followed by two Tang points. Two more Garrycastle points followed from Michael Monaghan and Conor Cosgrove, the latter and last Garrycastle score coming in the 44th minute. Tang got the last 3 points of the half to level the match. During this period Garrycastle were finding it hard to win their own kick-out and get the ball out of their own half. Garrycastle conceded 1-5 was scored in the later minutes of both halves which tells its own story. However, there’s a long season to come.

Scores for Garrycastle, Eoin Mulvihill (1-0), Conor Cosgrove (0-2) Michael Monaghan (0-2), Alex Gardiner (0-1), Justin Barrett (0-1). (OG) (1-0)

GARRYCASTLE:- Shane Moran , Mark McCallon , Gary Mullery , John Gaffey, Anthony Larkin , Eoin Mulvihill (1-0), Gary McCallon, Neil Rattigan, Justin Barrett (0-1), Michael Monaghan (0-2), Eoin Monaghan, Enda Keena , Conor Cosgrove (0-2), Alex Gardiner (0-1), Dylan Keegan.

Subs, Mathew Guiheen for Gary Mullery; Cathal Mannion for Enda Keena; Sean Doak for Dylan Keegan.