Mullin to fly home for county final showdown
by Kevin O'Neill Updated: Thursday, 29th September, 2011 5:30pm
GARRYCASTLE have this week allayed fears that experienced goalkeeper Cathal Mullin's involvement in this Sunday's Westmeath SFC final against Mullingar Shamrocks is in doubt.
The 33 year-old netminder, an All-Ireland minor winner with Westmeath in 1999, has taken a year-out from work, and departed for New Zealand following Garrycastle's recent semi-final victory over Tyrrellspass.
There had been speculation locally that club officials had been discussing the notion of flying Mullin back for Sunday's game, but also rumours of some opposition, from within the Garrycastle club, to such a move.
However, club chairman Bernard Brannigan told the Westmeath Independent that no such difference of opinions existed within the club, and that, at time of going to print, Mullin was expected home for the match.
Brannigan said he received a phone-call from team manager Anthony Cunningham, on Tuesday afternoon, confirming that Mullin will be available.
When asked if the club plans to pay for Mullin's plane-fare from New Zealand, Brannigan said that these are testing times for the economy, and for most clubs - but he stressed that the Garrycastle committee would do "what we can" to assist the team.
The loss of Mullin would have been seen as a substantial blow to Garrycastle, as they aim to clinch a third successive county title (a record for the club).
If Mullin cannot return, Stephen McGuire would seem the obvious choice to step into the breach, but if McGuire plays on Sunday, it would then make him ineligible to play for the club's junior team in the Westmeath JFC final, against St Paul's, the following weekend.
Brannigan praised Cathal Mullin for his service and dedication to both the Garrycastle and Westmeath causes over many years, and said his travel plans were arranged before the semi-final. He also said that, if required, Stephen McGuire would prove a "more than capable" deputy.
Mullin captained the Garrycastle team to Westmeath SFC success in 2004, and was also part of the Westmeath panel that won an historic Leinster SFC crown the same year.
His potential unavailability would have surely represented a boost to Sunday's opponents, Mullingar Shamrocks, who are seeking a first Westmeath SFC title since 2000, and who last year lost the county decider to Garrycastle.
*(See pages 38 and 39 for a detailed preview of Sunday's final).
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