Honours even in feisty local derby

Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC - Section A

Athlone 0-9 Garrycastle 0-9

Alex Gardiner’s point from an injury-time free salvaged a draw for Garrycastle against Athlone in this Westmeath SFC opening round clash played in Tubberclair last night (Sunday).

In what was a fiercely contested local derby that gripped the attention throughout - despite plenty of mistakes by both sides - the teams left a resplendent Tubberclair venue with a point apiece.

A youthful Athlone side - missing the services of the injured Ray Connellan – came very close to recording their first senior championship win over their neighbours in several years. Danny Reid’s point gave them the lead with three minutes to go but Gardiner had the last say, holding his nerve to convert a late free from the left.

Having played with the wind in the first half, Garrycastle led 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time, though Athlone were showing a huge appetite for hard graft.

In a physical contest, Garrycastle duo Conor Cosgrove and Mattie Guiheen were forced off with injuries in the early stages. Garrycastle also lost Mark McCallon to a black card for ten minutes during the opening half, but Athlone were unable to exploit their temporary numerical advantage.

The influential Eoin Monaghan increased Garrycastle’s lead within seconds of the restart. Athlone responded with points from Kieran Colclough (two frees) and the impressive Cillian Lynn, cutting the deficit to the minimum (0-6 to 0-5).

However, Athlone were reduced to 14 players in the 40th minute when Conor Rushe was shown a second yellow card. And when Gardiner increased Garrycastle’s lead moments later, the men in green and red looked by far the more likely winners.

Yet a battling Athlone side refused to heed that script and went ahead for the first time with three more pointed frees from Colclough. Garrycastle substitute Cathal Mannion levelled matters at 0-8 each from a free. And although Reid put Athlone back in front with a fine point, Gardiner’s last-gasp free ensured it finished honours even.

Scorers - Athlone: K Colclough 0-5 (5 frees); M Byrne, S O’Connor, C Lynn and D Reid 0-1 each. Garrycastle: A Gardiner 0-4 (2 frees); M McCallon, E Monaghan, M Monaghan, C Cosgrove (f) and C Mannion (f) 0-1 each.

Garrycastle: Sean Brennan; Mattie Guiheen, Jack Donohue, Gary McCallon; James Dolan, John Gaffey, Mark McCallon; Justin Barrett, Eoin Mulvihill; Tom O’Halloran, Eoin Monaghan, Michael Monaghan; Conor Cosgrove, Alex Gardiner, Adam Kennedy. Subs used: Andrew Monaghan for Cosgrove (injured); Doron Harte for Guiheen (inj.); Jason Nugent for Kennedy; Cathal Mannion for A Monaghan.

Athlone: Darren Costello; Noel Mulligan, James Finlass, Eoin Maher; Shane Allen, Kieran Colclough, Michael Byrne; John Stapleton, Ben Killian; Diarmuid Martin, Stephen O’Connor, Paddy Ryan; Cillian Lynn, Conor Rushe, Danny Reid. Subs used: John Connellan for Martin; Donagh Prendergast for O’Connor (inj.); Eamon Martin for Lynn (inj.).

Referee: Enda Kelly (Castledaly).