Darcy delights as Rosemount keep title hopes alive

Jasca Sports Westmeath IFC Division B Rosemount 3-11 Ballinagore 1-8 ROSEMOUNT remained firmly on track for the knockout phase of this year's Westmeath IFC following a dominant second-half display against Ballinagore at Moate last Saturday. Despite conceding a goal (through Eoin Miller's penalty) after less than a minute, Rosemount recovered well to control much of the opening 20 minutes, with David 'Dude' McCormack finding the back of the net in the sixth minute. Trailing by 1-3 to 1-0, Ballinagore failed to register again until the 21st minute, when Niall Kelly pointed, and they then enjoyed their most productive period of the match, and actually led by a point at the interval. However, it was an entirely different story after the break, as Eamonn Gallagher's in-form Rosemount charges notched 1-5 without reply - with Theo Watts registering his side's second goal on 38 minutes. There was no way back for Ballinagore thereafter, and though Westmeath county star Michael Ennis tried valiantly to resurrect their hopes, a further goal by substitute Andrew McCormack, and some incisive attacking play by Rosemount, ultimately put paid to the maroon and whites' challenge. Within a minute of the throw-in, Ballinagore won a penalty to boost their hopes. Niall Kelly was taken down by Richie O'Brien and Eoin Miller sent Westmeath under-21 goalkeeper Eoin Carberry the wrong way to give Ballinagore the ideal start. Rosemount were quick to bounce back, as David Mullen's third-minute free got them off the mark. Three minutes later, Stephen Darcy's punt forward found David 'Dude' McCormack, who shrugged off his marker and found the back of the net in clinical fashion (1-1 to 1-0 in favour of Rosemount). TJ Fox almost goaled again, but his effort was bravely blocked by Mark King, before David Mullen added a free (following a foul by Pat Heduan on Declan Mullen). It was all Rosemount and David Mullen's 17th minute free (after the impressive Shane Tone was fouled by King) gave them a three-point lead. Ballinagore, inspired by Ennis and the graft of wily campaigner Dan Gavin, rallied during the final third of the half. Niall Kelly pointed well on 21 minutes, but they sandwiched a few disappointing wides between that score and their next (another superbly-taken point by Kelly on 27). Miller levelled matters late in the half (after good play by Michael Ennis), and they nudged their noses in front before the short whistle through Ciaran Carey. Ballinagore may have kept Rosemount and the match officials waiting on the pitch before the start of the second half, but it was the eventual victors that left Ballinagore behind in a largely one-sided second period. Three points within three minutes (two by David Mullen and one for the 'Dude'), left Rosemount in a promising position, and after David Tone pointed brilliantly, they added a second goal through Theo Watts. That goal came after a superb tackle by Shane Tone on Michael Ennis and then great link-up play between Watts and Declan Mullen. Two frees by Declan Mullen left the score at 2-9 to 1-4, before Miller's converted free on 45 minutes. Michael Ennis managed a hat-trick of points before the end, including a late free, but Rosemount goaled through substitute Andrew McCormack, while David Mullen (another free) and David Tone added to the winners' score. Scorers - Rosemount: David Mullen 0-8 (6f), David 'Dude' McCormack 1-1, T Watts 1-0, A. McCormack 1-0, D. Tone 0-2. Ballinagore: E Miller 1-2 (1pen, 2f), M Ennis 0-3 (1f), N Kelly 0-2, C Carey 0-1, Rosemount: Eoin Carberry; Dylan Hassett, Richie O'Brien, Darren King, Shane Tone, Enda Boland, Luke Kelly, Declan Mullen, Stephen Darcy, David Mullen, David Tone, TJ Fox, David 'DD' McCormack, David 'Dude' McCormack, Theo Watts. Subs: Andrew McCormack for David Mullen (52 mins), Eamon Boland for D Tone (55), Paddy Keenan for O'Brien (59), Thomas Duffy for King (59). Ballinagore: Mark Doyle; Mark King, Pat Heduan, James Keegan, Dan Gavin, Michael Ennis, Paul Maloney, Stewart Gavin, Eoin Miller, Cathal Ennis, Ciaran Carey, Brian Sheerin, Ian Seery, Niall Kelly, Michael Gannon. Subs: Shane Heraty for S Gavin (inj., 42 mins), Robert Gannon for Kelly (58), Martin Crowe for Gannon (60). Referee: Brian Keena.