Garrycastle to hold reunion of two breakthrough teams

A reunion of two Garrycastle teams which claimed historic championship victories is to take place tonight (Saturday).

The event will mark the 25th anniversary of the 1996 team which won Garrycastle's first Westmeath minor football title, and the 20th anniversary of the club's first senior success in 2001.

Garrycastle defeated near neighbours Athlone in the 1996 minor decider at Cusack Park. Five years later, Garrycastle overcame Tyrrellspass in the Westmeath senior football final, thereby lifting the Flanagan Cup for the first time.

Both teams were captained by David O'Shaughnessy, who went on to lift the Delaney Cup when Westmeath won the Leinster senior football crown in 2004.

In 1996, Garrycastle banished the memory of four previous final defeats in the minor grade. Garrycastle were always in control and led by seven points at half-time. Their victory was sealed by second-half goals from Niall Ward and Mark Jackson.

The Garrycastle team was managed by Pat Devlin and coached by Dessie Dolan Snr, and it contained such future senior stars as Cathal Mullin, Karl Henson, Enda Mulvihill, David O'Shaughnessy and Dessie Dolan. Five players started both finals but a number of others were on both panels.

Athlone substitute Stephen Hahessy scored two consolation goals for his side, but they came too late to alter the outcome. Fergal Murray captained an Athlone side featuring players like Paul Mullen, Joe Fallon and Damien Kelly.

In the 2001 Westmeath SFC final against Tyrrellspass, Alan Daly scored the crucial goal for Garrycastle early in the second half. And Martin McCabe's charges held on to claim victory by the narrowest of margins at Cusack Park.

Both semi-finals had needed replays to decide the outcome, with Garrycastle overcoming St Loman's Mullingar, while Tyrrellspass got the better of Athlone at the second attempt.

Tyrrellspass had won their first senior title in 1999, and lost the 2000 final to Mullingar Shamrocks amid dreadful weather conditions.

The Tyrrellspass team featured a formidable full forward line of John Corcoran, Martin Flanagan and Mark Staunton, with a young Denis Glennon also part of the attack. But although Tyrrellspass came into the final with a greater level of experience, Garrycastle were a rising force and would not be denied.

1996 Westmeath MFC Final (September 22)

Garrycastle 2-11 Athlone 2-4

Scorers - Garrycastle: N Ward and M Jackson 1-1 each; J Dooley 0-4 (4 frees); D Dolan 0-3; C Holohan 0-2 (1 free). Athlone: S Hahessy 2-0; J Fallon 0-4 (4 frees).

Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin; Padraig McGowan, Karl Henson, Adrian Hanley; John Dooley, Eddie Naughton, Enda Mulvihill; David O'Shaughnessy (captain), Chris Nally; Stephen Mullan, Caolan Bushell, Colm Holohan; Mark Jackson, Dessie Dolan, Niall Ward. Subs used: Shane Devlin, Eddie Scally. Rest of panel: Alan Daly, Ray Stankard, Christopher Neville, Mel McGerr, Noel Galvin, Paul Brennan, Seanie O'Donoghue.

Athlone: PJ Keogh; Ronan Gavin, Barry Browne, Paul Kelly; Paul Mullen, Patrick Dunning, Fergal Murray (captain); Gareth Daly, Gerard Curley; Niall Mulvey, Aidan St John, Brendan Moran; Joe Fallon, Alan Buckley, Damien Kelly. Subs used: Stephen Hahessy, Fiachra McLoughlin.

Referee: Michael McAdden (St Loman's Mullingar).

2001 Westmeath SFC Final (September 30)

Garrycastle 1-9 Tyrrellspass 0-11

Scorers - Garrycastle: D Dolan 0-5 (2 frees); A Daly 1-0; D Ryan and G Dolan 0-2 each. Tyrrellspass: M Flanagan 0-4 (1 free, 1 '45'); M Staunton 0-4 (4 frees); J Corcoran 0-2 (1f); M Carley 0-1.

Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin; John O’Shaughnessy, Karl Henson, Doron Harte; Seanie O'Donoghue, Justin McAteer, Enda Mulvihill; James Duignan, David O'Shaughnessy (captain); Donal Ryan, Ciaran Ryan, Gary Dolan; Noel Galvin, Alan Daly, Dessie Dolan. Subs used: Paul Dillon, Paddy Redmond, Rowan Mulvihill. Rest of panel: Fergal Nee, Paraic Rattigan, Michael Mulvihill, Colman Gantley, Padraig Cosgrove, Tom McHugh, Niall Ward, Chris Nally, Adrian Hanley.

Tyrrellspass: John Hyland; John O'Brien, David Murphy (captain), Barry Murphy; Alan Rigney, Shane Arthur, Dan Gavin; Adrian Corcoran, Michael Carley; Kevin Connell, Ray Sheeran, Denis Glennon; John Corcoran, Martin Flanagan, Mark Staunton. Subs used: Colm Murphy, Tommy Newman, Ronan Dunbar.

Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).