Garrycastle clinch two league titles with victory over The Downs

Garrycastle clinched the 2009 league title with a last gasp win over The Downs in Garrycastle last Tuesday evening. This game also doubled up as a play-off for the 2008 league, when Garrycastle and The Downs finished on equal points. Garrycastle had been awarded the title by virtue of a superior score difference but after an appeal by The Downs, Leinster Council decreed that a play-off should take place on the grounds that clubs had not been given adequate notice of the score-difference ruling. While The Downs had nothing to play for in relation to the 2009 league, the home team had the incentive of securing two league titles in one game, but it was the visitors who started off the more determined team. After ten minutes The Downs had 1-3 on the board and led by six points before Dessie Dolan opened Garrycastle's account with a pointed free. This signalled the start of Garrycastle's best period of the game, and they added six points, all from play, to edge in front. The Downs equalised as half-time approached, but Dessie Dolan restored Garrycastle's lead just before the half time whistle sounded. Again it was The Downs who were quickest off the mark after the break, and two pointed frees put them back in front. Garrycastle's response was emphatic, as Paddy Mulvihill latched onto a great through ball from Karl Henson to crash the ball to the net. Garrycastle remained in control over the next ten minutes but wasted several chances to build on their lead. The Downs refused to buckle and began to dominate the exchanges all over the field. They scored four unanswered points to go two ahead, and retained that lead right up to the closing minutes. Just when it seemed that Garrycastle had shot their bolt, John O'Shaughnessy initiated a sweeping passing move from defence, which ended with John Gaffey laying off the final pass to Paddy Mulvihill who made no mistake in scoring his second goal. Straight from the kick-out Garrycastle were back in attack and Dessie Dolan kicked a sublime point from the sideline to clinch victory for his team. This was a patchy performance from Garrycastle and they have much to ponder as they continue their preparations for the Leinster Club championship. Garrycastle will face Longford champions Clonguish in the quarter-final of the AIB Leinster Club SFC on November 8. With Paul Barden in sparkling form, Clonguish defeated Horeswood of Wexford by 2-10 to 0-5 in the opening round last Sunday. The Longford side will have home advantage in that quarter-final clash with Garrycastle. On a positive note for Garrycastle from this league match, they showed great persistence in recovering from a seemingly impossible situation. After scoring comprehensive wins in their last three championship and league games, they will surely benefit from coming through such a searching test. Best displays on the evening came from John Gaffey, Doran Harte, Stephen O'Reilly, Dessie Dolan, Paddy Mulvihill and substitute John O'Shaughnessy. GARRYCASTLE: Cathal Mullin, Tom McHugh, John Gaffey, Enda Mulvihill, Doran Harte, Karl Henson, Mark McCallon (0-1), David O'Shaughnessy (0-1), Aidan Browne, Stephen O'Reilly, James Duignan (0-1), James Dolan, Paul Dillon (0-1), Paddy Mulvihill (2-1), Dessie Dolan (0-4). SUBS: Alan Daly (for Dillon), John O'Shaughnessy (for Henson), Gary Dolan (for D. O'Shaughnessy) and Robbie Fox (for J. Dolan).