Looking back on Westmeath intermediate finals past

Pictured above: Tang captain TJ Galvin is presented with the Peter Geraghty Cup in 1993, the last time Tang won the Westmeath intermediate title. Making the presentation are Pat Lynagh (left) and the late Liam Cornally of Dawn Dairies (sponsors).

With Moate All Whites facing Tang in the Westmeath IFC final this Saturday, we dip into the archives to reflect on some intermediate finals from the past.

The Westmeath IFC has been a firm fixture in the county’s GAA calendar for many years. Yet this wasn’t always the case and there was a time when there were just two grades in Westmeath club football - junior and senior.

In the early years, the intermediate championship in Westmeath was a sort of transitional competition. For example, Caulry defeated Tyrrellspass (2-7 to 1-1) in the 1946 intermediate final (played in Streamstown) to qualify for the senior championship of the same year.

However, with the status of the intermediate championships prior to 1960 open to question, only the finals from 1960 onwards are listed below.

The 1960 final between Kinnegad and Boher (a club no longer in existence) was scheduled to take place in December of that year. But it actually wasn’t played until March 19, 1961, Kinnegad winning by a single point. After the hiatus from 1962 to 1968, the intermediate championship resumed in 1969 when Caulry overcame Ballynacargy in the decider.

Brotherly battle

The 1970 final between St Finian’s (an amalgamation of Coralstown and Kinnegad, formed in 1961) was a real battle of brothers. There were six Cooney brothers on the St Finian’s team – Paddy, Matty, Dermot (who scored 1-2), Declan and Sean started, with Martin coming on as a sub. The Ballymore side contained four Murphy brothers – Joe, Mick, Jim and Olly. Ballymore went one better in 1972 when defeating Tang in the final. Mick Murphy was the team captain, with his brother and full-back Jim one of their leading performers.

The 1973 final saw Páirc Chiaráin in Athlone host its first major championship final in over 20 years. With two goals from Jim Flanagan and one from Tommy Lennon, Tang overcame Caulry. Dermot Carey was the Tang captain, with Tom Flanagan described in the Westmeath Independent report as the man of the match.

Tubberclair won the 1979 title, defeating Maryland in the final, just a year after winning the junior crown. Peter Elliott broke his leg in the final having been “outstanding” up to that point. John Henry and Jude Quigley (penalty) scored their goals in an emphatic win. An item in Tubberclair GAA notes made for entertaining reading a short time after the victory, with the club less than pleased with the condition of the trophy they were presented with. “The state of the cup had to be seen to be believed. As one man put it: ‘I have better buckets for feeding the pigs’.”

The 1980 final was a clash between the closest of neighbours, Maryland and Tang. According to a report on the final, “pure pulsating drama was the central theme” of this showpiece. Goals from Paddy Buckley and Tommy McCormack (a score shrouded in some controversy) saw the Drumraney men clinch a one-point win.

In 1982, Tang made amends for that defeat when they overcame St Paul’s. Captained by Tom Keenan, Tang’s goal was scored by Jack Flanagan with Eamon Farrell giving a man of the match display. The 1984 final between Ballymore and St Finian’s required a replay to decide it, with the first instalment described as “a real cracker”. In the replay, Larry Giles (then aged 18) scored a goal for St Finian’s from a penalty, but it was Ballymore (captained by Gerry Somers) who triumphed.

In 1985, Caulry (captained by Richie Allen) won their first intermediate crown since 1969. Tommy ‘Tweedy’ Woods was said to have given a man of the match performance, emulating the feats of his father Sean and his uncle Peter.

In the 1986 decider, Mickey Young’s brilliant goal for Castledaly wasn’t enough to prevent St Loman’s from winning by a single point. The 1987 final was a low scoring affair with Ballynacargy (captained by Colin Murtagh) edging out Maryland by 0-4 to 0-3.

Tang’s dramatic comeback

Tang produced an amazing comeback to overcome Tyrrellspass in the 1990 final, having been seven points down with 14 minutes to go. Ultimately Peter Keenan’s goal in added time won the match, paving the way for Tang skipper Christy Flanagan to collect the Peter Geraghty Cup.

The 1992 final featured a smash and grab raid from Killucan with super sub Donie Smyth helping to inspire them to victory over Caulry, while David Flynn scored 1-4 for the victors.

1993 witnessed another final between Tang and Maryland, but this time the men in maroon and white came out on top. It needed a replay to decide the issue, with Paul Conway kicking the winning point for Tang. Interestingly, John Slevin scored all of Maryland’s 1-6 total in the replay, while John Lennon scored Tang’s goal.

Having endured final disappointment in 1986 and 1989, Castledaly landed their first intermediate title in 1994, when they required a replay to overcome St Mary’s Rochfortbridge. In the drawn final, team captain Tommy Daly and Joe Sheerin hit the net for Castledaly. The late Johnny Farrell was also an influential figure in Castledaly’s comeback. In the replay, Castledaly's Joe Casey scored the only goal of the game.

The 1997 final saw Garrycastle make the breakthrough to the senior ranks. Stephen O’Reilly scored the equalising point to earn a replay against Ballinagore. The replay (played in Castletown) was a different story as first-half goals from David O’Shaughnessy and Alan Daly put Garrycastle (captained by Enda Nugent) in control. Four years later, Garrycastle lifted the Flanagan Cup as senior champions.

Three-game saga

The 1999 final was a saga which required three games to decide. The first game saw David Martin point a free to earn Maryland a draw versus Ballynacargy. The same player scored 0-10 in the replay but Ballynacargy scored the last three points in extra-time to force another replay. In the third game, an early goal from a penalty by Bal’ captain Declan Farrell proved crucial as the Drumraney men were left bitterly disappointed.

In 2000, Aidan Gorry produced one of the best ever individual displays in an intermediate final, scoring 2-8 for Kilbeggan Shamrocks in their victory over Ballymore. The Kilbeggan men were managed by future Westmeath boss Pat Flanagan. The following year, John Corcoran scored the vital goal as St Malachy’s defeated Rosemount.

In 2002, Tubberclair (captained by Bernard ‘Beano’ Cassells) won their local derby final against Tang, with Liam Doogan scoring the only goal for a side inspired by Fergal Wilson. Derek Molloy scored the winning point for Ballymore in the 2003 final against Rosemount. In a remarkable sequence, Ballymore won each of their last four games in the campaign by a single point, with veteran Pat Connaughton a hugely influential figure in the final.

In 2006, there was more replay disappointment for Maryland with Bunbrosna winning at the second attempt. There were two sets of twins on the winning Bun’ team – Kevin & Peter Tormey, and Conor & Finian Newman. In 2007, Ballinagore won the intermediate title, two years after winning the Westmeath and Leinster junior crowns. Michael Ennis and the late Eoin Miller were part of the Ballinagore team, while James Durkan came on as a sub.

Maryland finally reached the promised land in 2008 after being involved in yet another replay. Having won the Celebrity Bainisteoir competition (under broadcaster Marty Whelan) earlier in the year, they defeated Ballynacargy in the final. In a highly entertaining drawn game, Joe Harte and Kieran Martin found the net for Maryland, but Michael Loran netted a penalty for Bal’ to set up a rematch. When the sides met again, 17-year-old Callum McCormack swept a ‘45’ over the bar in style to win the contest in extra-time. It was Maryland’s tenth attempt at winning an intermediate final (including replays) since their previous success in 1980.

In 2009, goals from Conor Elliott and Fergal Wilson helped Tubberclair to defeat Ballynacargy. Managed by Tom Lennon and captained by James Martin, Tubberclair went on to reach the Leinster intermediate final later in the year.

In 2011, Mark Gorman scored a superb winning point for Coralstown/Kinnegad (managed by Jack Cooney) against Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall. The latter side went one better the following year, edging out Caulry (managed by the late Brendan Clarke).

In 2013, a replay was required as St Malachy’s overcame Caulry. Alan Fitzpatrick was impressive for Caulry in the drawn game, while Alan Mangan scored 1-5 for the Castletown/Dysart men. In the replay, Ronan Whelan scored the only goal as David Lynch lifted the Geraghty Cup.

It was a case of third time lucky for Caulry in 2014, with Gary Flanagan scoring the only goal of the final against Rosemount. Caulry were captained by Eoghan Grennan and managed by former Roscommon star Francie Grehan.

In 2015, Athlone regained their place in the senior ranks at the first attempt (following their surprise demotion), defeating neighbours Tubberclair in the final. Captained by Noel Mulligan, Athlone were boosted by a fine display from Ray Connellan (0-5).

In 2016, Rosemount banished the memory of some previous defeats as Tubberclair were again the defeated finalists. Boidu Sayeh charged upfield from defence to earn a late free which he then pointed, before David ‘Dude’ McCormack added a point to seal victory for Rosemount, captained by Enda Boland.

Westmeath Intermediate FC – previous finals (2019 to 1960)

(All finals listed played in Cusack Park unless otherwise stated)

2019: Caulry 3-13 Milltownpass 2-10.

2018: Shandonagh 1-9 Milltownpass 0-6.

2017: St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge 1-11 Shandonagh 1-10.

2016: Rosemount 0-12 Tubberclair 0-10.

2015: Athlone 0-11 Tubberclair 0-9.

2014: Caulry 1-5 Rosemount 0-5.

2013: St Malachy's 1-11 Caulry 0-14. St Malachy's 1-13 Caulry 0-13 (replay).

2012: Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 1-10 Caulry 0-12.

2011: Coralstown/Kinnegad 2-10 Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 1-12.

2010: Bunbrosna 1-12 Ballynacargy 2-6.

2009: Tubberclair 2-10 Ballynacargy 0-9.

2008: Maryland 2-10 Ballynacargy 2-10. Maryland 1-11 Ballynacargy 1-10 (replay, AET).

2007: Ballinagore 0-9 Shandonagh 0-6.

2006: Bunbrosna 1-7 Maryland 0-10. Bunbrosna 0-12 Maryland 0-8 (replay).

2005: Killucan 0-12 Ballynacargy 2-6. Killucan 1-10 Ballynacargy 0-12 (replay).

2004: St Mary's Rochfortbridge 3-5 Bunbrosna 1-8.

2003: Ballymore 1-4 Rosemount 0-6.

2002: Tubberclair 1-11 Tang 0-8.

2001: St Malachy's 1-11 Rosemount 0-10.

2000: Kilbeggan Shamrocks 2-10 Ballymore 0-5.

1999: Ballynacargy 0-12 Maryland 0-6. Ballynacargy 0-18 Maryland 1-15 (AET, first replay). Ballynacargy 1-7 Maryland 0-7 (second replay).

1998: Ballymore 0-9 St Malachy's 0-6.

1997: Garrycastle 0-10 Ballinagore 1-7. Garrycastle 2-7 Ballinagore 0-5 (replay, Castletown-Geoghegan).

1996: Ballynacargy 1-11 Ballinagore 1-8.

1995: St Mary's Rochfortbridge 1-8 Kilbeggan 1-6 (Castletown-Geoghegan).

1994: Castledaly 2-9 St Mary’s Rochfortbridge 2-9. Castledaly 1-7 St Mary’s Rochfortbridge 0-7 (replay, both finals played in Páirc Chiaráin).

1993: Tang 0-7 Maryland 0-7. Tang 1-7 Maryland 1-6 (replay, both finals played in Páirc Chiaráin).

1992: Killucan 3-11 Caulry 2-8 (Tyrrellspass).

1991: Tyrrellspass 2-6 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-8.

1990: Tang 2-9 Tyrrellspass 2-6.

1989: St Paul's 0-8 Castledaly 0-8. St Paul's 0-14 Castledaly 1-2 (replay).

1988: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-2 Coralstown/Kinnegad 0-7.

1987: Ballynacargy 0-4 Maryland 0-3.

1986: St Loman's 1-6 Castledaly 1-5.

1985: Caulry 2-9 St Paul's 1-4.

1984: Ballymore 0-8 St Finian's 1-5. Ballymore 0-6 St Finian's 0-4 (replay).

1983: Tyrrellspass 1-5 St Paul's 0-5.

1982: Tang 1-8 St Paul's 0-6.

1981: Milltownpass 2-6 Ballynacargy 1-5.

1980: Maryland 2-8 Tang 0-13.

1979: Tubberclair 2-8 Maryland 0-5.

1978: St Mary's 1-6 Caulry 1-5.

1977: St Paul's 1-7 Ballynacargy 0-10. St Paul's 0-4 Ballynacargy 0-1 (replay).

1976: Castletown-Finea 0-5 St Paul's 0-5. Castletown-Finea 0-12 St Paul's 1-6 (replay).

1975: St Malachy's 1-7 Tyrrellspass 0-9.

1974: Kilbeggan 3-6 St Mary's 0-4.

1973: Tang 3-6 Caulry 1-7 (Páirc Chiaráin).

1972: Ballymore 3-4 Tang 1-8.

1971: Bunbrosna 2-7 St Malachy's 0-8.

1970: St Finian's 2-9 Ballymore 2-3.

1969: Caulry 2-6 Ballynacargy 0-6.

1961: Kilbeggan 2-4 Ballymore 1-5.

1960: Kinnegad 2-4 Boher 2-3.

NOTE: No intermediate championship took place in Westmeath from 1962 to 1968.