Rousing comeback earns Athlone a replay after thriller
by Kieran Galvin Updated: Wednesday, 16th November, 2011 9:30am
Athlone 1-12 St Loman's 0-15 (aet)
Athlone produced an astonishing comeback by clawing back a nine-point deficit to eventually earn a draw with St Loman's in an enthralling Minor Club FC final at Rosemount last Sunday.
A few minutes into the second half, Athlone found themselves 0-2 to 0-11 in arrears and their plight seemed almost hopeless.
Athlone needed a goal to give oxygen to a potential comeback and it came in the 35th minute with a superb effort from Niall Boland. The Shannonsiders continued to reel in St Loman's lead, with Ray Connellan landing the equaliser with just over a minute of normal time left.
Loman's had a gilt-edged chance to win the title, but the otherwise outstanding Shane Dempsey was off target from a injury-time free.
The sides were level, 1-10 to 0-13, at full-time and they couldn't be separated in extra-time. As tired legs took their toll, neither side was able to register a score in the second period of extra-time.
St Loman's were left with plenty of regrets at the end of regulation time - after letting a nine-point lead slip and having failed to convert that last-gasp free. But Athlone looked the most likely winners in extra-time and Robbie Henshaw came very close to notching the winner with virtually the last kick. However, his over the shoulder shot went narrowly wide.
The replay will take place in Cusack Park next Sunday (2.30pm) and it will be preceded by the Minor Club FC Division 2 final replay between Tubberclair and Ballynacargy (1pm). This attractive double-header should appeal to supporters of the clubs involved and neutrals alike.
Loman's were backed by the fairly stiff wind in the opening half, but their first-half dominance was based on more than the elements. In a portent of things to come, Loman's opened the scoring with a point from David Whelan (eighth minute) after some slick build-up play. Points followed from full-forward Shane Dempsey (a superb effort), Mark Browne and Whelan, before Dempsey landed an incredible score from almost on the right sideline.
Athlone didn't open their account until the 22nd minute courtesy of Seamus Byrne, but Loman's responded with points by Evan Maleady and Whelan (a fine score from long range).
The inventive attacking play of Loman's was a joy to behold in the opening period. And in the defensive side of the game, they gave an exhibition in the art of blocking down their opponents' shots.
Niall Boland gave Athlone hope by scoring his team's second point, yet further white flags by wing-back Seamus Dinnegan and Dempsey gave the Mullingar side a healthy lead at half-time (0-9 to 0-2).
When Dempsey and Whelan (free) added two more points within three minutes of the restart, Athlone looked almost down and out, even with the wind at their backs.
The switch of midfielder Robbie Henshaw to full-forward was a key factor in Athlone's transformation. In the opening half, the Athlone full-forward line struggled to hold onto possession, but the presence of the physically imposing Henshaw (also a noted rugby player) changed the complexion of the game.
Henshaw was involved in the build-up to Athlone's all-important goal, playing the ball across the goalmouth to Boland, who fired a left-foot shot into the net. A minute later, Henshaw blasted over a point. And although Dempsey replied at the other end, points by Byrne and Connellan (a massive score) brought Athlone within four points by the 42nd minute.
Then came an absolutely crucial moment as Athlone 'keeper Darren Cassidy produced a fine save to deny Loman's substitute Aaron McLoughlin what seemed a certain goal. A green flag at this stage would surely have left Athlone with an insurmountable task.
Ray Connellan - now a creative influence at midfield having started at wing-forward - availed of a wayward clearance to edge Athlone closer in the 47th minute. Cormac Corroon then put Loman's four ahead again, but a wholehearted Athlone outfit refused to wilt.
All of Athlone's subs played key roles and none more so than Warren Conroy, who found the range with a sweetly struck '45' in the 50th minute. The industrious Glen Costello was involved in setting up points for Byrne and Boland, and suddenly the margin was down to the minimum.
Frustration crept into the Athlone faithful as three chances of an equaliser all went wide (the last of which was a golden opportunity). Still, Connellan held his nerve in the 59th minute with a superbly struck free from over 40 metres. Byrne was unlucky not to put Athlone ahead, before a Loman's counter-attack yielded the free which Dempsey spurned.
With Athlone against the wind in the first period of extra-time, Henshaw was given a sweeping role in front of his full-back line. At the other end, a superb point by Conroy gave Athlone the lead for the first time in this gripping contest. Connellan increased Athlone's lead with a pointed free. However, two points from frees by Corroon and Whelan put Loman's back on level terms by half-time in extra-time.
With a number of players picking up injuries and going down with cramp, the final whistle seemed to arrive a bit early in the second half of extra-time. On the other hand, however, a draw was surely the time-honoured 'fair result' and the replay will be keenly awaited.
Scorers
Athlone: N Boland 1-2; R Connellan 0-4 (2f), S Byrne 0-3; W Conroy 0-2 (1 '45'), R Henshaw 0-1. St Loman's: S Dempsey 0-5; Whelan 0-5 (2f), C Corroon 0-2 (1f), E Maleady, M Browne, S Dinnegan 0-1 each.
Athlone:
Darren Cassidy; Daniel Lynam, Eoghan O'Reilly, Conal Sheeran; Eoin Mahon, Brian Gill, Aaron Watts; Robbie Henshaw, Gavin Downey; Luke Dully, Glen Costello, Ray Connellan; Dylan Lynch, Niall Boland, Seamus Byrne. Subs: Tommy McCoy for Sheeran (25); Ben Cunniffe for Gill (27); Warren Conroy for Lynch (36); B Gill for Mahon (66).
St Loman's:
Glen McCabe; Cathal Burke, John Wallace, Cian Burke; Seamus Dinnegan, Paddy Shanley, Daniel Sheridan; Andrew Purcell, Adam Gaffney; Darragh O'Keeffe, David Whelan, Mark Browne; Cormac Corroon, Shane Dempsey, Evan Maleady. Subs: Aaron McLoughlin for Maleady (42); E Maleady for Sheridan (inj., 69); D Sheridan for Whelan (inj., e-t 2nd half).
Referee:
Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).
