Late Athlone rally falls short as Downs claim U14 title

The Downs 2-11 Athlone 1-7

In a year filled with promise for the club at senior level, The Downs were deservedly crowned Westmeath U14 football champions after victory over a spirited Athlone side in last Sunday’s Division 1 championship final at Shandonagh.

When the sides met in the Division 1 league final earlier in the year, Athlone won by 2-11 to 0-7, but The Downs overturned that result to win championship honours on a quite similar scoreline.

After Callum Cleary’s 42nd-minute goal gave The Downs a 2-7 to 0-4 lead last Sunday, the outcome looked virtually done and dusted. Although Athlone staged a late rally with Aodhan Fallon’s goal giving them hope, ultimately The Downs had enough in the tank to secure victory.

There were plenty of talented players on show but the voracious work-rate of The Downs regularly forced Athlone into mistakes, and the black and amber boys were more effective at taking their chances at crucial stages.

On a bright though breezy day, there was a large crowd in attendance with both sides well supported. The Downs were assisted by the fairly strong wind in the first half and Cónal Murphy opened the scoring with a neat point. But with classy midfielder Sachin Sundaresan to the fore, Athlone competed strongly in the early stages. On six minutes, Michael Cunningham hooked over an equaliser from close range, with Sundaresan and Frank Pettit involved in the build-up.

As The Downs threatened a goal, both goalkeeper Michael Union and defender Fionn Macken had to show vigilance at different stages. Downs centre-forward Oisin Coyne looked an accomplished player throughout and he sent over a seventh-minute point. Coyne followed that up with a superb long-range free off the ground (clipping an upright en route) for the game’s only two-pointer.

The influential Ben Loughlin added a point, having been set up by the lively Antonio Bertolo, to move The Downs 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. As pressure on the Athlone defence mounted, Bertolo also blasted a goal attempt wide.

Athlone needed to respond and they did with two points in quick succession from Conor Johnson and Pettit. Aodhan Fallon, the leading light in attack for Athlone, was then denied after a jinking run by Conor Rijksen’s perfectly executed tackle.

With centre-back Cian Mannion storming into the game and midfielder Luke Clarke becoming more influential, Athlone enjoyed a decent share of possession, but scores against the wind were elusive commodities. Fallon was off target with one effort after playing a couple of neat one-twos with Mannion.

Instead, it was The Downs who extended their lead with points from Ben Loughlin (a free) and his cousin TJ Loughlin (a 27th-minute solo effort from the left). Better was to come for The Downs when Murphy found the net for a well taken goal, leaving it 1-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

The Athlone management opted to make three changes at half-time with Bobby O’Brien, Evan Martin Cummins and Daniel Donegan entering the fray. A fine point by Fallon gave the Shannonsiders a boost early in the second period, but they were unable to build on it.

Callum Cleary struck for The Downs’ vital second goal in the 42nd minute. After Ben and TJ Loughlin linked up, TJ’s pass just evaded Athlone’s resolute full-back Fearghal Kelly, paving the way for Cleary to fire home with a clinical finish.

With substitute Gabriel Gospodarczyk making a positive impact, Athlone forced a couple of frees which Fallon converted. But with Murphy and Aidan Quinlan (after a weaving run) also raising white flags, The Downs maintained their six-point lead.

There was a ripple of excitement among Athlone supporters in the 53rd minute when Fallon found the net with a crisp drive, beating Conor Quinlan at his near post. Shortly afterwards, Fallon pointed a free to make it 2-9 to 1-7.

A crucial moment arrived in the 58th minute as a goal chance fell to Evan Martin Cummins, but his shot shaved the post and whizzed wide. Relieved at that escape, The Downs sealed their victory with points from Ben Loughlin (his free penalising a ‘three up’ breach) and Cónal Murphy, who finished the scoring after the winners had threatened another goal.

Afterwards, The Downs captain James Nea was presented with the trophy by Westmeath Coiste na nÓg chairperson Paddy Wallace.

Player of the match: A strong case could be made for Osin Coyne, particularly based on his first-half display. But the efficiency of Cónal Murphy (scorer of 1-3 from open play), when it came to taking chances gets the nod. The Downs also had fine performers in Conor Rijksen, Aidan Quinlan, Conor Walters and Ben Loughlin. For Athlone, Michael Union, Cian Mannion, Sachin Sundaresan (especially in the first half), Frank Pettit and top scorer Aodhan Fallon were among those to have positive moments.

Key moment: There would have been a grandstand finish if Athlone substitute Evan Martins Cummins had found the net with a 58th-minute effort, Instead, his effort was narrowly off target and The Downs held on with a degree of comfort.

Score of the match: The goals scored by Callum Cleary and Aodhan Fallon were superbly taken, but it's hard to overlook TJ Loughlin's individual point towards the end of the first half.

Scorers - The Downs: C Murphy 1-3; C Cleary 1-0; O Coyne (1tp) and B Loughlin (2f) 0-3 each; TJ Loughlin and A Quinlan 0-1 each. Athlone: A Fallon 1-4 (0-3f); M Cunningham, C Johnson and F Pettit 0-1 each.

The Downs - Conor Quinlan; Oisin Kelly, Conor Rijksen, Ronin Orme; Aidan Quinlan, James Nea (captain), Austin Clarke; Conor Walters, Conor Reid; Cónal Murphy, Oisin Coyne, Ben Loughlin; TJ Loughlin, Callum Cleary, Antonio Bertolo. Rest of panel: Oisin McCormack, Alex Kingston, Coran Quinn, Ronan Murtagh, Ethan Bradley, Lee Sheridan, Corey Barron, Rian Gilhooley, Rhys Colgan, Oscar Temple, Tom O’Connell, Conor Donohoe, Dylan Crowley, Odhran Mitchell, Sam Doran, Harry Doyle, Tiernan Coyne, Senan Whelehan. Mentors: Cahal Kelly, Ed Quinlan, Kieran Carroll, Jasper Rijksen, Tommy Coyne, Lane Orme.

Athlone - Michael Union; Youssef Elhadidy, Fearghal Kelly, Youssef Elharouny; Conor Kennedy, Cian Mannion, Fionn Macken; Sachin Sundaresan, Luke Clarke; Frank Pettit, Aodhan Fallon, Jack Costello; Harry Cunningham, Conor Johnson, Michael Cunningham. Subs used: Bobby O’Brien, Evan Martin Cummins and Daniel Donegan for Elhadidy, Elharouny and H Cunningham (half-time); Gabriel Gospodarczyk for Johnson (44 mins). Rest of panel: Kian Hardy, Cillian Coughlan, Eoghan Silke, Sam Gunning, Thomas Walsh, Aaron Kiernan, Paddy Stokes, Josh Fogarty. Mentors: Joe Fallon, Brian Gunning, Tony Pettit, Cathal Temple, Micheal Coughlan, Ger Harrison.

Referee - Enda Kelly (Castledaly).