Cosgrove the unlikely hero as Garrycastle make history

In Tullamore last Sunday, there were Santa Clauses aplenty in S Brigid's red and white, and almost as many elves in Garrycastle's green and red. But the Christmas present all spectators in O'Connor Park wanted will be placed under a Westmeath tree for the first time ever this festive season, after Anthony Cunningham's little helpers emerged victorious in a memorable Leinster senior football club final in truly dramatic circumstances. The historic victory makes Sunday, 18 December 2011 a red-letter day in the annals of Gaelic games in the Lake County. This was almost the ultimate game of two halves, but more a game of two quarters and one quarter. Garrycastle, inspired by the majestic Des Dolan and helped by a typically opportunist goal from his brother Gary, looked home and hosed when leading by 1-7 to 0-2 after 39 minutes. However, with Des's opposite number, Paddy Andrews showing his undoubted class at the other end, the metropolitans rattled over eight unanswered points in a blistering 20-minute period to tie up the scoring. Then, with the one minute injury-time stipulated virtually up, a late challenge on Mark McCallon gave Conor Cosgrove (only on the field for seven minutes at that juncture) the chance to write his name in Christmas lights, and his deadly left boot replicated Stephen Cluxton some three months earlier to secure a truly magnificent win for the Athlone-based side. On a cold but generally ideal day for football, O'Connor Park looked resplendent for this showpiece occasion. Garrycastle fans - in the minority it seemed - were wondering whether an inept showing similar to the final against Portlaoise two years previously would ensue, but a wonderful wind-assisted opening half-hour was to follow. Des Dolan opened the scoring with a terrific 35-metre free in the opening minute after his cousin James was fouled. Ken Darcy levelled from a simple free in the third minute - remarkably the hotly-fancied Dubliners' only score of the first moiety. With Des Dolan at his imperious best, Garrycastle took control in virtually every sector of the pitch and he rifled over a brace of marvellous points in the fourth and ninth minutes, sandwiched between which Rory McGowan almost set up Paddy Mulvihill for a goalscoring opportunity. Worryingly, two Garrycastle defenders - Doran Harte and Karl Henson - were already on yellow cards but, further forward, Des Dolan was tormenting the St Brigid's rearguard and he added another outstanding point which was quickly followed by a neat score from Karl Henson, following one of many astute quick frees by James Duignan. John Gaffey produced a great block on Paddy Andrews before a great crossfield pass by Des Dolan to Seanie O'Donoghue almost led to a Gary Dolan goal. The latter was soon on the scoresheet with a composed finish to put Garrycastle ahead by an unflattering five-point margin after 20 minutes. Neither team scored in the time remaining in the first half, albeit the winners were fortunate more than once. In the 25th minute, Philly Ryan's angled shot came back off the upright and the ball fell kindly for Ken Darcy, but he was smothered by a combination of Cathal Mullin and Seanie O'Donoghue. Late on, both Mark Cahill and Ken Darcy (in particular) missed what seemed like straightforward frees, leaving the scoreboard at the interval reading: Garrycastle 0-6 St. Brigid's 0-1. Paddy Andrews reduced the gap with a fine point in the 33rd minute, but Des Dolan responded with a fabulous point from 40 metres, moments after he had needed treatment having been flattened near the stand sideline. Garrycastle goal Philly Ryan was wide under pressure in an attempt to score a goal, but Gary Dolan fared better at the other end when he astutely flicked the ball to the net from the edge of the small square at the end of a James Duignan delivery. The Westmeath men now led by 1-7 to 0-2 and it would not have been unreasonable for John Gaffey to start rehearsing the traditional cúpla focail. However, with Paddy Andrews in the thick of most what was good, the Dublin side slowly but surely whittled away at the eight-point deficit. A Ken Darcy free (which went over via the woodwork) in the 41st minute was followed a tidy point from Laois man, John O'Loughlin. John Gaffey did extremely well to block Ken Darcy's shot for a goal and a brief skirmish soon resulted in just a yellow card to a player from both teams, the linesman nearer the incident surprisingly not taking part in discussions with the referee. Andrews was now on fire and he rifled over four further points between the 46th and 50th minutes - a free and three terrific scores from open play. The gap was now a mere two points and when John O'Loughlin doubled his tally in the 51st minute, it was down to the bare minimum. Garrycastle nerves were clearly fraught at this stage, with even Des Dolan making the occasional error and the momentum was totally with the pre-match favourites. Ken Darcy was wide from a difficult free, but with exactly 30 minutes elapsed in the second half, Paddy Andrews fittingly picked out substitute Gavin McIntyre who pointed in style. Extra-time now seemed a certainty, but the drama was not over just yet and when referee Syl Doyle spotted a late challenge on Mark McCallon (which most spectators didn't), Conor Cosgrove showed nerves of steel to convert a very tricky 35-metre free. Almost immediately, the Wexford official blew the full-time whistle signalling a mass invasion of elves and other delirious fans in green and red colours. Moments later, John Gaffey became the first-ever Westmeath recipient of the Leinster senior club football trophy when he accepted it from provincial chairman, Martin Skelly. His gracious speech - even taking time to remember the late 'Poggy' Lynn and Derek Daly (brother of Garrycastle player Alan Daly) - was a fitting climax to a never-to-be-forgotten day. Scorers - Garrycastle: D Dolan 0-5 (1 free), G Dolan 1-1, K Henson and C Cosgrove (free) 0-1 each. St. Brigid's: P Andrews 0-5 (1 free), J O'Loughlin and K Darcy (2 frees) 0-2 each, G McIntyre 0-1. Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin; Enda Mulvihill, John Gaffey, Mark McCallon; Karl Henson, Doran Harte, Tom McHugh; Seanie O'Donoghue, David O'Shaughnessy; James Duignan, Gary Dolan, Rory McGowan; Paddy Mulvihill, James Dolan, Des Dolan. Subs: Alan Fox for McHugh (45), Aidan Browne for Duignan (51), Conor Cosgrove for P.Mulvihill (54), Alan Daly for McGowan (55). St. Brigid's: Shane Supple; Graham Norton, Martin Cahill, Gavin Kane; Alan Daly, Sean Murray, Daire Plunkett; John O'Loughlin, Barry Cahill; Cian Mullins, Paddy Andrews, Ken Kilmurray; Philly Ryan, Ken Darcy, Mark Cahill. Subs: Gavin McIntyre for Mark Cahill (42), Lorcan McCarthy for Ryan (47), Odhran McCann for Mullins (59). Referee: Syl Doyle (Wexford).