Carroll hits late winner as Garrycastle edge out Moate
Westmeath SFC: Garrycastle 1-13 Moate All Whites 0-15
Garrycastle made a winning start to their Westmeath SFC campaign last Friday night, but Moate All Whites were left wondering how they came away empty handed from Tubberclair.
Ultimately, Cian McCarthy’s goal proved crucial in an entertaining contest which really sparked into life in the second half. McCarthy’s 52nd-minute green flag gave Garrycastle a four-point lead (1-12 to 0-11), just moments after the men in green and red went ahead for the first time.
Moate responded in resilient fashion, hitting four points on the trot to draw level by the 60th minute. But Garrycastle attacker Jamie Carroll scored the winning point in stoppage time and Moate were unable to salvage a share of the spoils.
The All Whites did a lot right in this game which makes their narrow defeat harder to swallow. Having led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time, Val Daly’s charges were 0-10 to 0-6 ahead early in the second half.
With the fielding ability of Harry Niall complemented by Daragh Lowry’s driving runs, Moate had an edge at midfield. They actually scored 15 times compared to their opponents’ 12 - but Garrycastle’s brace of two-pointers, scored by James Dolan and influential substitute Rory McGowan, proved significant.
On a pleasant evening with Tubberclair GAA hosting the game well in customary fashion, Moate showed intent from the start. They led 0-3 to 0-1 early on, thanks to three Robbie Forde frees, with Ben Donegan posting the Garrycastle reply. Garrycastle began to find their groove as neat points from Conor Cosgrove and Michael Monaghan levelled matters by the 13th minute.
The lively Billy Berry was winning plenty of ball inside for Moate and he sent over an 18th-minute point his endeavour deserved. The problem for the All Whites was that not enough scores followed and they registered six first-half wides, including a huge two-pointer attempt from Forde.
After Cosgrove made it 0-4 apiece, making light of a tricky angle from a free, Moate hit three unanswered points before half-time - two from Forde (one fisted effort) and Eoin Bracken. The latter point came after Garrycastle felt a sense of grievance, having been awarded a sideline ball on the stand side only for the decision to be reversed.
Harry Niall continued his fine display by winning the second-half throw-in and, within moments, Forde sent the ball over the bar. A few minutes later, former Westmeath star James Dolan contributed the game’s first two-pointer, providing a needed lift to his side. The typically industrious Ronan Murray posted a quick riposte, before defender Andrew Gorman pointed to give Moate a four-point lead.
Garrycastle goalkeeper Sean Brennan came to his side’s rescue with a good save to deny Forde a goal (41st minute). Clearly concerned at the trend of proceedings, Gary Dolan sent on Rory McGowan and the veteran campaigner got stuck in from the start. Jason Nugent’s ambitious goal attempt was blocked out for a ‘45’ which Brennan pointed, before Cosgrove moved Garrycastle closer.
Having hit a free off the post, Forde struck a classy point after sterling work from Cathal O’Brien. Another point from Cosgrove (a free) preceded a monstrous two-pointer from McGowan, and suddenly the sides were level (0-11 each). Nugent, now offering more of a threat, then put Garrycastle ahead for the first time.
Better was to come from Garrycastle perspective with the game’s only goal. Jamie Carroll passed the ball across and Cian McCarthy had the presence of mind to palm the ball to the net. McCarthy played second fiddle in his personal duel with impressive Moate midfielder Harry Niall, but a player who is more noted as a hurler with Southern Gaels still came up with the vital score.
Moate refused to buckle and a necklace of four points from Ronan Murray, Daragh Lowry (despite being under pressure) and Forde (two frees) brought them level. With the game in stoppage time, Eoin Mulvihill did very well to win Brennan’s kickout and this passage of play led to Carroll kicking the winner.
Goalkeeper James Mitchell made a huge fetch under pressure to keep Moate’s hopes alive. They then forced a last-gasp free and brought Mitchell forward to take it. Surprisingly, they went short from the free and Forde’s ensuing high delivery was gobbled up by the Garrycastle defence.
Man of the match: Robbie Forde (Moate All Whites). Forde may have finished on the losing side, but no player was as influential as the dynamic Moate attacker, who scored nine points, including four from play.
Talking point: In advance of last weekend's games, Westmeath GAA communications officer Marie Lynagh sent out team lists for the various fixtures to the media, in what was a welcome development. However, the success or otherwise of such efforts will depend on cooperation from the clubs involved. In this game, seven of the 16 Garrycastle players who featured wore a different number from the list which was circulated, while no Moate list was provided in advance. For the sake of the paying public, printed team lists (with correct numbers) should be provided as standard in championship games, as is the norm in other counties.
Scorers - Garrycastle: C Cosgrove 0-4 (2f); C McCarthy 1-0; J Dolan (2pt) and R McGowan (2pt) 0-2 each; B Donegan, M Monaghan, J Nugent, J Carroll and S Brennan (‘45’) 0-1 each. Moate: R Forde 0-9 (5f); R Murray 0-2; B Berry, E Bracken, A Gorman and D Lowry 0-1 each.
Garrycastle - Sean Brennan; Jack Mulvihill, Gary McCallon, Matthew Guiheen; James Dolan, Mark McCallon, Cathal Mannion; Eoin Mulvihill, Cian McCarthy; Ben Donegan, Eoin Monaghan, Michael Monaghan; Jason Nugent, Conor Cosgrove, Jamie Carroll. Sub used: Rory McGowan for E Monaghan (39 mins).
Moate All Whites - James Mitchell; Cathal O’Brien, Andrew Gorman, David Mullins; James Bracken, Paul Gorman, Eoin Bracken; Harry Niall, Daragh Lowry; Conor Bracken, Dylan Nulty, Ronan Murray; Darragh Delaney, Billy Berry, Robbie Forde. Subs used: Conor Sheridan for C Bracken (44 mins), Tobby Conteh for Delaney (54).
Referee - Barry Pierce (St Mary’s).