Garrycastle claim quarter final spot and local bragging rights as Athlone bow out

A fluent and highly efficient performance by Garrycastle ensured they roared into the knockout stages of this year"s senior football championship after somewhat comfortably overcoming local rivals Athlone in the final group game in Moate on Sunday evening. With both teams still harbouring pre-match hopes of qualifying to the knockout phase from the so-called "Group of Death" - which was eventually topped by reigning county champions Tyrrellspass - there had been much anticipation locally about a winner-takes-all bout between two old adversaries. A large crowd turned out at Hogan Park to witness what promised to be a titanic struggle between two sides determined to ensure a quarter-final berth, but in the end Garrycastle proved quicker, stronger, faster and simply better than their cross-town foes. Martin McCabe"s side came into the game without a win from their previous two group outings against Castledaly and Tyrrellspass, while Brendan Clarke"s Athlone were high on confidence after beating both Castledaly and Mullingar Shamrocks in recent weeks. But within minutes of the throw-in on Sunday, it soon became clear Garrycastle were on top of their game and a step ahead of Athlone in most departments. With a defence superbly marshalled by the likes of impressive full-back Seanie O"Donoghue, newly emerging county star Doran Harte, and fellow stalwarts Karl Henson and James Dolan, Garrycastle had the perfect springboard from which to attack an Athlone team that struggled throughout to deal with the forward instincts of Paul Dillon, James Duignan, the Dolan brothers and Paddy Mulvihill. Notable mention must also go to Garrycastle midfielder Stephen O"Reilly. After suffering a number of frustrating and restrictive injury problems in recent years, O"Reilly rose to the occasion and formed a very sound midfield partnership with the far younger Aidan Browne, and produced a sterling display in the centre of the field for his club. Athlone, who this year managed to unearth a few very talented young players with plenty of hope for the future, have made good strides under Brendan Clarke and, although again failing to reach the latter stages of the championship, Athlone will take plenty of positives from a relatively decent showing this year. Indeed, Athlone will look back with some regret on their shock defeat to bottom placed Bunbrosna earlier in the campaign; a result which in the end cost them a place in the quarter-finals. As it transpired, Athlone would in fact have certainly qualified for the quarter-finals had they beaten Bunbrosna, and that fact will surely rankle with the Athlone players considering that game represents Bunbrosna"s sole win in the group stage. On the day, Athlone had decent showings from the likes of Dermot and Paul Bannon, John Stapleton and James Tobin, but ultimately fell some distance short against a far more alert and coherent Garrycastle team. Ultimately, the major talking points of this local derby arose within the opening fifteen minutes. A blunder by experienced Athlone goalkeeper Richie Daly in the eighth minute, when he somehow fumbled a straight forward Dessie Dolan shot into the path of a grateful Rory McGowan to net the only goal of the game, meant Athlone were always chasing the match from that early stage. Athlone then had a brilliant opportunity to level matters in the 15th minute but Joe Fallon"s penalty kick rose over the bar and the margin between the teams remained two points. The closest Athlone ever got to levelling matters was when they started the second half with something of a flurry and points from Martin Keena and Paul Bannon managed to reduce arrears to a single point. However, this pattern didn"t last too long and Garrycastle spent the vast majority of the contest with at least a two-point cushion. Garrycastle now go on to face The Downs in the quarter-finals and stand every chance of progressing further in this year"s competition if they maintain this level of performance. Athlone full-forward Martin Keena and Paul Dillon swapped early wides before Garrycastle broke the deadlock in the third minute, thanks to the first of six successful frees by Dessie Dolan. Mickey Greene was quickly fouled up the other end and Joe Fallon levelled matters from straight in front of the posts. Rory McGowan then kicked a disappointing wide after fine work by Paddy Mulvihill, before Mulvihill became the first of eight players yellow carded by referee Sean Carroll. Garrycastle"s crucial goal came in the eight minute. Dessie Dolan went for the posts from roughly 45 metres but his effort fell short of its intended target. Stepping from his goal line to deal with Dolan"s wayward shot, goalkeeper Richie Daly looked in complete control of the situation, but the veteran stopper could only palm the ball into the stride of Rory McGowan, who tapped into the empty net. It was a bitter blow to Athlone and they were always playing catch-up from that point on. Seconds later, James Tobin did well to set up a point for Dermot Bannon, but Paddy Dunning"s foot block on James Duignan gave Dessie Dolan a chance to point in the tenth minute. Dessie Dolan then did terrifically well to field a powerfully struck pass by Paul Dillon and immaculately strike the ball just inside the right upright on the turn. Garrycastle now led by four points. Paraic Rattigan was adjudged to have fouled Joe Fallon just inside the 45 metre line and Fallon did well to convert. Athlone were awarded a 15th minute penalty when Seanie O"Donoghue dragged Tom Stuart-Trainor to the floor. Up stepped Joe Fallon but his kick only yielded a point. A golden chance had been spurned. We would wait another eleven minutes for the next score, Dessie Dolan pointing free after a foul by Paul Bannon on Gary Dolan. Good defending from Seanie O"Donoghue then thwarted Dermot Bannon"s best laid plans to connect with Martin Keena"s knock-down. Bannon eventually notched Athlone"s first score for 13 minutes, four minutes before the interval. A five-man move manufactured a point for Paul Dillon to leave Garrycastle three points to the good at half-time, but it could have been more had Paddy Mulvihill"s sidefoot shot not crashed off the woodwork in the dying embers of the opening half. Athlone started the second period brightly with points for Martin Keena and Paul Bannon, before Damien Kelly contested the referee"s decision to award a free kick to Dessie Dolan after a Fergal Murray challenge and was booked for his troubles. Dessie, as expected, converted the free. Things began to get a bit feisty with Paul Dillon and Fergal Murray becoming involved in a tussle and Rory McGowan earning a booking. Garrycastle rode the storm, though, and batted aside any questions asked by Athlone, with Gary Dolan"s 43rd minute point restoring the lead to three points. Paddy Mulvihill had been suffering through injury in the build-up to this tie and was replaced by Alan Daly, while John Connellan was sent on to stir Athlone"s attack into action. Mickey Greene took over free duties for Athlone in the second half and proved successful with a free as we entered the final quarter. Athlone were theoretically still in touch but Greene"s point would prove their last of the evening, as Garrycastle took over in the closing stages. Two well taken points from Paul Dillon more or less killed off Athlone"s challenge, before two frees for Dessie Dolan and a fine point by younger brother, Gary, stretched the lead to seven points before the final whistle. SCORERS: Garrycastle - D. Dolan 0-7 (6f), R. McGowan 1-0, P. Dillon 0-3, G. Dolan 0-2. Athlone - J. Fallon 0-3 (3f), D. Bannon 0-2, P. Bannon 0-1, M. Keena 0-1, M. Greene 0-1 (f). GARRYCASTLE: Cathal Mullin; Karl Henson; Seanie O"Donoghue; Paraic Rattigan; Doran Harte; John Gaffey; James Dolan; Stephen O"Reilly; Aidan Browne; James Duignan; Gary Dolan; Rory McGowan; Paul Dillon; Dessie Dolan; Paddy Mulvihill. Subs: Alan Daly for Mulvihill (44 mins); Padraig Cosgrove for McGowan (50). ATHLONE: Richie Daly; Paul Mullen; Gary Quinn; Fergal Murray; Philip Allen; Damien Kelly; Paddy Dunning; Paul Bannon; James Tobin; John Stapleton; Thomas Stuart-Trainor; Dermot Bannon; Joe Fallon; Martin Keena; Mickey Greene. Subs: Dermot McManus for Allen (20 mins); John Connellan for Stuart-Trainor (46). Referee: Sean Carroll (The Downs).