Caulry stun Garrycastle as late rally clinches victory

GAA: Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath Senior FC – Section A

Caulry 0-10 Garrycastle 0-9

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Caulry left it late to claim a shock win over Garrycastle in round 2 of the Westmeath SFC at Páirc Chiaráin, Athlone last Wednesday night.

The Mount Temple/Baylin side was four points behind in the second half, hadn’t scored for some 35 minutes and their play lacked urgency. But then they suddenly from nowhere gathered some momentum and they kicked the next five scores without reply to take the ascendancy in the 53th minute.

Caulry were the better side in the first quarter, leading 0-4 to 0-3. But they didn’t score again until the 46th minute. Garrycastle looked the likely winners without ever playing well themselves. But Caulry were left alive in the game and they took full advantage in the last quarter.

Emmet Nally was impressive in the first quarter and he kicked two early scores for Caulry, while Senan Baker and Conor McCormack also chipped in with scores. Garrycastle were able to respond though. Justin Barrett and Tom O’Halloran kicked early scores and Westmeath panellist Alex Gardiner kicked three fine scores from frees to give his side a 0-6 to 0-4 lead at half-time.

Caulry manager and former Roscommon goalkeeper, Shane Curran had to take up a position outside the wire as he was suspended after receiving a red card in their previous fixture against St Loman’s, Mullingar. But Curran was still able to vocally get instructions out to his side.

For Garrycastle manager, former Galway player John Donnellan, his main concern at the interval must have been his side's struggles to convert chances into scores.

But Garrycastle got the perfect start to the second half. Points from Andrew Monaghan and Michael Monaghan stretched their lead to 0-8 to 0-4 by the 40th minute. Caulry was reeling at that stage as attacks broke down and they kept making the wrong decisions on the ball.

Garrycastle could have put the game to bed at that stage. Michael Monaghan had two wides and Justin Barrett hit the post from a goalbound shot that had Jack Connaughton beaten all ends up. Suddenly, however, Caulry seemed galvanised from the let-off and they started to crawl back into the game.

McCormack, Seán Murphy and Alan Malynn kicked scores to cut into Garrycastle’s lead. By then it was almost as if Caulry could do no wrong. They were winning lots of possession and Paddy Sleator kicked Caulry into the lead for the first time since the sixth minute.

Caulry’s lead didn’t last long. Up stepped Garrycastle substitute and former Roscommon player Ger Heneghan, who found the range from some 35 metres out, in what was Garrycastle’s first score in 24 minutes. A draw would have been a fair result. Heneghan’s fist pump after his score was an indication that Garrycastle would be happy at that stage to get out with a draw.

But Caulry had the bit between the teeth and they weren’t happy with what would have been a very pleasing draw - they went for the jugular and that man again Nally kicked his fourth of the day to give Caulry the win.

Caulry can now dare to dream; after all, this was a big scalp. But they'll have to develop more consistency to their performances and more accuracy in front of goal. Afterwards, there was a lot of back slapping amongst the squad and an ovation from their supporters with the realisation that they are now in the mix for a place in the knockout stages.

For so long they were going nowhere against a Garrycastle side that had the bit better scoring power and was controlling the game until Nally was brought down and Conor McCormack converted the free, ending Caulry’s long wait for a score. From that moment on, the game changed completely and Caulry took over.

Man of the match: Emmet Nally (Caulry). Nally showed for possession right through the game and he kicked the early scores and then popped over the winner in added time. He was the most impressive forward on the evening. Kevin Maguire was also influential. Sean Doyle was swashbuckling and hard working for the 60 plus minutes, while Stephen Connolly put in a good shift at midfield. Justin Barrett was best for Garrycastle.

Key moment: Justin Barrett’s shot for goal that rebounded back into play off the post in the 51st minute when Garrycastle were 0-8 to 0-4 in the ascendancy. If Barrett’s shot had hit the net, surely it would be Garrycastle celebrating the win afterwards.

Scorers – Caulry: E Nally 0-4, C McCormack 0-2 (1f), S Baker, C Murphy, P Sleator, A Malynn (f) 0-1 each. Garrycastle: A Gardiner 0-4 (3f), T O’Halloran, J Barrett, A Monaghan, M Monaghan, G Heneghan 0-1 each.

Caulry: Jack Connaughton; Eoin Fox, Kevin Maguire, Dylan Lowry; Damien Dolan, Eoghan Grennan, Sean Doyle; Stephen Connolly, Sean Clinton; Paddy Sleator, Conor McCormack, Emmet Nally; Alan Malynn, Colin Murphy, Senan Baker. Subs used: Sean Murphy for Dolan (52 mins).

Garrycastle: Sean Brennan; Mark McCallon, Jack Donohue, Gary McCallon; Doron Harte, Eoin Mulvihill, Bill Kelly; Justin Barrett, James Sheerin; Tom O’Halloran, Alex Gardiner, Andrew Monaghan, Michael Monaghan, James Dolan, Cathal Mannion. Subs used: John Gaffey for O’Halloran (H-T), Ger Heneghan for M Monaghan (51 mins), Jason Nugent for Sheerin (57), Eoin Monaghan for Mannion (60).

Referee: Barry Pierce.