Garrycastle aim to make history

An annus horribilis for Westmeath football will end on an historic note if Garrycastle can overcome Portlaoise in this Sunday's Leinster Club SFC final in O'Connor Park, Tullamore (2pm). Garrycastle are bidding to become the first Westmeath club to win the Leinster senior title, but they will be facing a club who are well accustomed to success at provincial level. Portlaoise head the roll of honour in the Leinster club senior championship with six titles, and the Laois giants have also tasted success on the All-Ireland stage. 2009 was a year to forget for Westmeath football at inter-county level, with the senior team suffering relegation in the National League with seven defeats from seven games. Then there was the 27-point thrashing at the hands of Dublin in the Leinster semi-final, followed by a fairly tame championship exit against old foes Meath. However, Garrycastle are now in with a great chance of giving Westmeath football a major shot in the arm - as they are one win away from bringing the Leinster senior club title to the Lake County for the first time. Two years ago, Tyrrellspass reached the Leinster final and, with another Westmeath team now in this year's provincial decider, perhaps the standard of club football is better than many would have us believe. And with Tullamore such a convenient venue for almost all Westmeath supporters, Garrycastle should have plenty of support in Sunday's decider. Garrycastle manager Anthony Cunningham has already guided St Brigid's of Kiltoom to a Connacht title, and now he's aiming for another provincial title with a neighbouring club from across the river Shannon. Cunningham's side were very impressive in the second half of their semi-final win over Ballyboden St Enda's, and this display has led to many observers believing that Garrycastle can go all the way. The last two All-Ireland titles have been won by Dublin clubs - St Vincent's, who defeated Tyrrellspass of Westmeath in the 2007 Leinster final, and Kilmacud Crokes. It was Ballyboden who dethroned Kilmacud of their county, Leinster and All-Ireland crowns, by beating them in the Dublin semi-final. And it's worth remembering that Ballyboden's victory came after a titanic three-match saga, so it wasn't as if they caught the All-Ireland champions on the hop. Defeating a team like Ballyboden underlines Garrycastle's Leinster credentials. On the other hand, in that match against Garrycastle, Ballyboden's only Dublin regular, attacking ace Conal Keaney, was unable to start due to illness. In addition, team captain Declan O'Mahony (suspended) and Kenny Naughton (injured) played no part in the game at all. Garrycastle also had home advantage in the familiar surroundings of Cusack Park, Mullingar, so if the Westmeath champions had lost, it probably would have haunted them for years to come. One of the most impressive aspects of Garrycastle's play this year has been their ability to bring the ball out of defence in a measured and composed fashion. This ability was really important when they were playing into the strong wind in the second half against Ballyboden. In defence, players like full-back John Gaffey and wing-back Doran Harte have been in excellent form, while fellow wing-back Mark McCallon has been an absolute revelation this season. McCallon's goal was the turning point of the match against Ballyboden, while he also found the net in a group match in the Westmeath SFC against Maryland. Other defenders like Padraig Rattigan, Enda Mulvihill and Karl Henson are hugely experienced and they were all involved in Garrycastle's maiden Westmeath SFC success back in 2002. Seanie O'Donoghue has been in outstanding form at midfield, with his ball-winning ability and distribution skills an important component of the Garrycastle machine. The return to fitness of David O'Shaughnessy is a major boost and it was notable that he was still going strong in the latter stages against Ballyboden, even notching a late point. Aidan Browne performed well in this year's Westmeath championship and he is likely to be a very useful option from the bench on Sunday. Dessie Dolan is the conductor of the Garrycastle attack. Interestingly, in the county final against St Loman's, Dolan was deployed close to the opposition goal and the results were devastating as he produced a man-of-the-match display. Against Ballyboden, Dessie operated in a deeper role, especially in the second half, and his ability to feed good ball inside, to Patrick Mulvihill in particular, could be vital. Dolan's season with Westmeath was dogged by injuries but he now looks fresh and injury free, and he's really enjoying his football. Dessie's younger brother Gary has relished the role of captain this year, while first cousin James has operated at wing-forward this season and he has contributed handsomely. But the Garrycastle forward line is not all about the Dolans. Paul Dillon's ability off his left foot, particularly, from frees, could be vital, while the versatility and work-rate of James Duignan cannot be overlooked. The return of Patrick Mulvihill - who missed the entire county championship campaign - has given the Garrycastle attack another dimension, even though the Coosan man is understandably some way short of full match sharpness. The youthful Shane Mulvihill has been unlucky with injures in the latter part of the season, but he is another talented and valuable player who could be sprung from the bench. Garrycastle's panel has grown stronger as the year has progressed and the presence of players like former regulars Tom McHugh, Alan Daly and John O'Shaughnessy, in addition to young players like Donovan Hermbusche, will keep those who claim starting places on their toes. Looking at the Portlaoise team, it's undoubtedly a balanced outfit which will take a lot of stopping. A defence which is giving away very little - Portlaoise conceded just 0-3 against Clara last weekend - is marshalled by former Laois star Kevin Fitzpatrick. No doubt, Westmeath supporters will remember Fitzpatrick as the man who drove a late goal chance narrowly wide in the 2004 Leinster final replay. Other Portlaoise players with inter-county experience include Cahir Healy, Aidan Fennelly, Brian 'Bruno' McCormack and Craig Rogers. Exciting Portlaoise attacker and former soccer starlet Paul Cahillane has been earning rave reviews for his displays. Cahillane, who has had a spell at Glasgow Celtic, is Portlaoise's top scorer in their Leinster campaign and he scored 1-3 in last Saturday's victory over Clara in the semi-final refixture. Garrycastle dominated the midfield exchanges against Ballyboden and they will seek to do the same against Portlaoise. If they can achieve this, it will reduce the supply of ball into Cahillane and the other Portlaoise forwards. Garrycastle missed several scoring chances in the first half against Ballyboden - albeit in extremely tough conditions - but they may not get away with a repeat against John Mulligan's charges on Sunday. Portlaoise's pedigree in the Leinster sphere deservedly makes them favourites on Sunday. Yet Garrycastle are well capable of springing a surprise and bringing a provincial senior club title to Westmeath for the first time.