Garrycastle goals prove the difference

MJS Building & Development Westmeath U17 FL Division 2 Final: Garrycastle 4-6 The Downs 1-6

Eamon A. Donoghue

Three first-half goals helped Garrycastle to secure victory in the Westmeath U17 Division 2 league final at home to The Downs last Saturday evening.

The visitors had the ball in the Garrycastle net straight from the throw-in. Carl McCormack won the throw-in and his first time ball inside found Darragh Smith and the corner-forward rifled the ball past Cian Norris. The Downs had got the perfect start.

Minutes later, Garrycastle’s Oisin Mulvihill made the hard running before unleashing a goalbound shot that was saved, only for the ball to fall perfectly for Seán O’Donoghue, and the corner-forward finished the ball soccer style past Pauric Monaghan in The Downs goal. The sides were level, both finding the net and just five minutes gone.

For whatever reason, both sides struggled to kick points. Garrycastle didn’t score again until the 17th minute. The Downs were the better side in the first quarter. Luke Myler and Darragh Smith both kicked scores to push out their lead to 1-2 to 1-0 in the 15th minute. But they kicked a number of wides during their spell of dominance and should have been further ahead.

Garrycastle were struggling to put any combination play together or keep possession. But they got a lifeline as Andrew Henson went for a point only for the ball to deceive Monaghan and end up in the net.

The hosts were leading 2-0 to 1-2 in the 17th minute, although they were second best in general play. The Downs simply couldn’t find the target often enough and they had plenty of chances to do so.

Garrycastle were growing into the game and they did have two more opportunities to score goals. First Mulvihill and then marauding Daniel Carter, both after driving runs from deep, had their attempts blocked and cleared to safety.

In the 26th minute, Seán O’Donoghue finally kicked their first point of the half, leaving Garrycastle ahead by 2-1 to 1-2 heading for the interval.

Garrycastle weren’t finished finding the back of the net, though. And their third goal again in very fortunate fashion. Niadh Shine kicked his attempt for a point and it also dropped into the net. Garrycastle were leading at half-time by 3-1 to 1-3 although there wasn’t anything between the sides in general play.

At the start of the second half, The Downs put Conor Power into goal and moved their keeper Pauric Monaghan to full-forward. Both teams continued to make errors, giving the ball away and turning over possession.

Garrycastle won the third quarter 0-3 to 0-2, with Mulvihill, Shine and Aaron Keegan on target for the home side. Kenny and Cian Loughlin kicked the scores for the black and amber outfit.

In the final quarter Garrycastle got another goal, their fourth in all. Sean O’Donoghue got his second after good build-up play by Conor McCormack and Darragh Glennon.

The fourth goal put the nail in The Downs coffin and it was the score that sealed the Athlone side’s win minutes before full-time. Try as they did, The Downs couldn’t buy themselves a goal and they needed goals to cut into the ascendancy.

Overall, Garrycastle were the better team but they were very fortunate with their goals. And the game could have been close but for those goals.

Player of the match: Oisin Mulvihill (Garrycastle). Mulvihill was the most accomplished player on the park. He kept his team in the game in the first quarter when they were struggling, and he prompted his side into action throughout. Anthony Mannion, David Carter, Andrew Henson and Niadh Shine were others to the fore.

For The Downs, Conor Daly, Carl McCormack and Darragh Kenny all battled to the end.

Scorers - Garrycastle: S O’Donoghue 2-1, N Shine 1-2 (0-2f), A Henson 1-1, A Keegan and K Keegan 0-1 each. The Downs: D Smith 1-0, Kian Loughlin 0-2 (2f), C Power, L Myler, R Donohue and D Kenny 0-1 each.

Garrycastle: Cian Norris; Oisin O’Donoghue, Anthony Mannion, Matthew Turner; Killian Keegan, David Carter, Nathan McKeon; Aaron Keegan, Oisin Mulvihill; Andrew Henson, Niadh Shine, Conor McCormack; Jack Dolan, Darragh Glennon, Sean O’Donoghue. Subs used: Daniel Stankard for Turner (50 mins).

The Downs: Pauric Monaghan; Thomas Kearns, Andrew Brennan, Sean Corroon; Jamie Kelleghan, Conor Daly, Peter Conneely; Michael Maloney, Carl McCormack; Corey O’Brien, Darragh Kenny, Luke Myler; Kian Loughlin, Conor Power, Darragh Smith. Subs used: Finn Raeside for Myler (h-t), Eoin Mullan for Smith (55 mins), Cian Colgan for O’Brien (56), Ronan Donohue for Monaghan (58).

Referee: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).