Castletown Geoghegan back on track as Clonkill disappoint

Castletown Geoghegan 0-27, Clonkill 3-11

The Senior Championship took another twist on a wet Sunday afternoon at TEG Cusack Park, as Castletown Geoghegan put their first round defeat by Raharney behind them, securing a well merited seven-point win against an out-of-sorts Clonkill.

Clonkill struggled to contain their opponents, and the match was overshadowed by a serious injury in the 52nd minute. Clonkill's Brian Gaffney had to leave the field, and moments later, after a heavy tackle that led to the dismissal of Castletown's Shane Clavin, Luke Loughlin collapsed after re-entering the game post-treatment. The game was halted for almost 20 minutes, and there was genuine concern for Loughlin's welfare. After he was taken away by ambulance, play resumed, and despite some brief defiance from Clonkill, Castletown, even with 14 men, ran out deserved winners.

From the outset, Castletown were on the front foot. With Niall O’Brien back from his travels, their forward line was in devastating form, while their defence thwarted a blunt Clonkill attack. David O’Reilly was the tormentor-in-chief, scoring two beautiful points and creating numerous chances for others. Niall O’Brien (2), Peter Clarke (2), Shane Clavin (1), Liam Varley (3, 1 free), Aonghus Clarke (2), Conor Murphy (1), and Jack Murphy (1) helped Castletown to score 14 first-half points with the slight breeze advantage. Clonkill were merely competing early on and managed three Oisín Loughlin frees and a ‘65’ from Peadar Scally before a stunning goal from Luke Loughlin and another Scally free brought them back into the game. At halftime, they trailed by six, 0-14 to 1-5, after a mediocre first half.

Clonkill needed inspiration and an early score, but instead, Varley pointed a free, and O’Brien and O’Reilly added memorable points for Castletown, leading by nine after 34 minutes. Oisín Loughlin and O’Brien exchanged frees, and Loughlin's marvellous goal from Peadar Scally suddenly made it look like a contest. However, David O’Reilly then added three of the finest scores seen in Cusack Park in many a day, sealing what looked like a certain Castletown win.

Moments later, Shane Clavin was dismissed for a challenge on Luke Loughlin, who collapsed shortly after re-entering the game, leading to a 20-minute stoppage.

When play resumed, Clonkill netted again through substitute Oisin Murray, and Oisin Loughlin pointed a free, reducing the deficit to four points. Clonkill missed a couple of opportunities before Morgan Gavigan, Varley (free), O’Reilly (almost from the middle of the terrace), and Varley (another placed ball) settled Castletown, who never looked back. Niall O’Brien (from midfield) and Jack Gallagher (from an O’Reilly cross-field ball) completed Castletown's scoring, while substitute Murray added two late scores for Clonkill, which softened the scoreboard. Despite this, Castletown held on comfortably.

Scorers - Castletown Geoghegan: David O’Reilly 0-6, Liam Varley 0-6 (4 frees), Niall O’Brien 0-5 (1 free), Peter Clarke 0-2, Aonghus Clarke 0-2, Jack Gallagher 0-2, Shane Clavin 0-1, Jack Murphy 0-1, Conor Murphy 0-1, Morgan Gavigan 0-1.

Clonkill: Oisín Loughlin 0-7 (all frees), Peadar Scally 1-2 (1 65’, 1 free), Oisin Murray 1-2, Luke Loughlin 1-0.

Castletown Geoghegan: Ciaran O’Brien, David Maloney, Aaron Glennon, Naoise McKenna, Shane Clavin, Jack Murphy, Johnnie Bermingham, Peter Clarke, Plunkett Maxwell, Conor Murphy, Aonghus Clarke, Liam Varley, David O’Reilly, Niall O’Brien, Jack Gallagher. Subs: Morgan Gavigan for Conor Murphy (46 mins), David Fennell for Maxwell (56 mins), Peter Murphy for Aonghus Clarke (62 mins).

Clonkill: Anthony Price, Paul Poynton, Alan McGrath, Liam Moran, Jamie Coffey, Luke Kenny, Brian Gaffney, Ciaran Nolan, Matthew Glynn, Peadar Scally, Oisín Loughlin, Robbie Cleary, Jordan Smyth, Luke Loughlin, Andrew Shaw. Subs: Oisin Murphy for McGrath (HT), Ciaran Nooney for Gaffney (49 mins), Oisin Murray for Luke Loughlin (52 mins).

Referee: Barry Kelly (St Oliver Plunkett's).