Tubberclair underline progress as semi-final awaits
Writech Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship quarter-final
Tubberclair 1-12 Castledaly 0-7
By Ronan Farrell
A final quarter surge from 14-man Tubberclair blew Castledaly away in the Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship quarter-final in Moate recently.
After playing with a man less for close to 25 minutes, Martin McCabe’s youthful outfit took advantage of a levelling up of numbers following a black card to build a match-winning lead.
A tight, physical game ensued until the three-quarter mark but the victors took over from this stage. A clash with an in-form St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge awaits in the semi-final next Sunday (TEG Cusack Park, 2pm), but the nature of this result will buoy the Tubberclair men’s confidence.
This highly-anticipated clash opened in quick fashion with Eoghan McCabe pointing a difficult free from the left after a foul on Fred Kelleher. However, the scores dried up with both sides guilty of wides. Dan Heavin had a sight on goal but was denied the chance to shoot by a superb Cathal Tighe tackle.
The tense nature of the game was highlighted by yellow cards for Rory Delaney and Lorcan Dolan, before Robbie Curley benefitted from Matthew Whittaker’s long ball to point from the left of centre. Eoghan McCabe’s diving block on MJ Kelly presented Kevin Stone with a 45’ to open Castledaly’s account in the 13th minute. This was immediately followed by a pointed free from Lorcan Dolan.
After McCabe restored the lead with another free, the game’s first goal chance followed as Aaron Nugent put Michael Lynch in, but his shot was saved by the feet of Kevin Fagan.
The tension levels soon ratcheted up. Firstly, Martin McCabe was sent to the stand for remonstrating with referee Shane Maher. A minute later, a high challenge by Delaney on Justin Coughlan led to a second yellow and gave Castledaly numerical advantage.
Stone hit the post with the resulting free but made amends four minutes later to point from distance. This was quickly replied to by a Whittaker point after Neil Kenny had found him with a kick pass. Paddy Holloway came marching upfield to point off his left boot to level the scores at 0-4 each. It stayed this way up to half-time as both sides missed opportunities.
Tubberclair were again quicker out of the blocks on the resumption. McCabe’s free dropped short but was retrieved by Curley who was fouled close to goal and Kelleher duly obliged via the crossbar to regain the lead. Dolan responded with a 33rd-minute point from a tight angle, after being set up by Holloway. Kelleher immediately replied after a flowing move involving Jason McHugh and Whittaker put him in space.
Holloway was operating as the free man at this stage and his driving run won a free, but typical of his team’s day, Alan Stone effort was off target. In a sign of the tide turning, McHugh turned over Holloway in the 40tt minute and the counter attack put Paul Garvey away to point off the left boot.
Shane Maher, in consultation with his linesman, then ruled Dan Heavin’s point effort to be wide. The gap was soon out to three when McCabe pointed a free after a foul on Garvey. The resulting kickout was a real game changer; Tubberclair claimed possession and Garvey was fouled by John Warburton, with Maher awarding a black card. McCabe did his duties from the dead ball and followed up with a turnover on the next play to put Whittaker in for another point, opening up a five-point lead.
Fagan dealt well to divert Nugent’s dipping effort out for a 45 which was converted by Alan Stone. Kelleher grabbed his third score (53rd minute), pointing off the left boot after patient build-up play by Whittaker. Three more wides in five minutes exasperated Castledaly’s frustration, particularly when Tom Kelleher placed Oisin O’Meara for his side’s 12th score.
Any chances of a comeback were put to bed in injury time. Curley intercepted a short Castledaly kickout and found Whittaker in behind the cover. Whittaker duly converted for a goal his hardworking performance deserved.
Castledaly went in search of a goal of their own but Tubberclair’s defiance reflected their overall performance. Charlie Kennedy first denied Dan Heavin with a block before Holloway’s effort on the rebound was bravely deflected over by Tighe.
Man of the match: Fred Kelleher (Tubberclair). Really stood up when his team was reduced to 14 players. Notched three points and worked hard in the middle whilst being a constant outlet for his defenders. Honourable mentions to teammates Eoghan McCabe, Stephen McGonagle, Cathal Tighe and Matthew Whittaker.
Talking point: Cathal Tighe’s late block preserved Tubberclair’s record of not having conceded a goal yet in the championship. If they can continue such defensive solidity, it will stand them in good stead at the semi-final stage.
Tubberclair: Kevin Fagan; Stephen McGonagle, Jason McHugh, Aaron Brady; James Madden, Cathal Tighe, Oisin Donohue; Eoghan McCabe (0-4f), Sean Claffey; Fred Kelleher (0-3, 1f), Matthew Whittaker (1-2), Rory Delaney, Robbie Curley (0-1), Paul Garvey (0-1), Neil Kenny. Subs: Tom Kelleher for Kenny (26 mins); Oisin O’Meara (0-1) for Garvey (53); Graham Whittaker for McCabe (58); Charlie Kennedy for F Kelleher, Conor Elliott for Robbie Curley (60).
Castledaly: Jordan Nugent; Shane Fitzpatrick, Liam Fitzpatrick, Shane Dolan; John Warburton, Michael Lynch, Paddy Holloway (0-2); Adam Turley, Alan Stone (0-1, '45’); Aaron Nugent, Kevin Stone (0-2, 1 ’45'), MJ Kelly; Justin Coughlan, Dan Heavin, Lorcan Dolan (0-2, 1f). Subs: Emmet Heavin for Coughlan (44 mins).
Referee: Shane Maher.