Garrycastle girls’ late burst denies Athlone in thriller

Garrycastle 3-12 Athlone 2-9

By Eamon A. Donoghue

It took a late burst of scoring from Garrycastle to finally get the better of close neighbours Athlone, thereby winning the Westmeath LGFA U16 Division 1 championship at Castledaly on Friday evening, October 10.

Both clubs look to have bright futures with these teams producing a thrilling game of football that was close all through and in the melting pot right up to the final whistle.

Garrycastle came into the game as slight favourites but it was Athlone that got off to a whirlwind start. Although Garrycastle had opportunities for early scores, they didn’t manage to take them. Hannah Ganly hit the post with a close in free and Amelie Henson’s shot for goal rattled the post.

Athlone, on the other hand, had no such trouble finding the target in the early stages. They had a potential match winner in full-forward Sally Fleming. Fleming had 1-1 scored in the opening five minutes as Athlone went into a lead of 1-2 to 0-0. It was a perfect start.

That blistering start from Athlone was crucial and it kept them right in the contest for the duration of the game. But Garrycastle gradually got their bearings and started to find some rhythm in their play. They then started to turn their abundant possession into scores.

Firstly, Erin McHugh saw her rasper of a shot from a tight angle come back off the post but the alert Isabelle Kearney collected the rebound and crashed the ball to the Athlone net.

Ella Sweeney kicked a point, Henson again popped over a free and then McHugh scored their second goal, leaving it Garrycastle 2-3 Athlone 1-4 at the 27th minute mark.

But Fleming responded to drag Athlone back into the game. The Our Lady’s Bower student scored a brilliant individual goal and then added a point. It was Athlone 2-5 Garrycastle 2-3 at half-time.

After the resumption, however, Garrycastle took over as they tightened up the play around the middle sector. Libby McHugh, Ellianna McManus and Jane Byrne were all excellent in the second half and they gave Henson more support. Kearney scored for Garrycastle after Erin McHugh made the pass. Then Henson popped over a free after Kearney was fouled. The outstanding McHugh again made the pass for Rionagh Costello to score.

Garrycastle were dominant at that stage and Athlone began to struggle to get the ball past midfield. The eventual winners continued to dominate and their marquee player Henson was dragged down and she dusted herself off before popping over the resultant free. Henson then ran at the Athlone defence again but her goal bound shot was blocked. Henson did the same trick again, this time her gallop was halted with another foul and she again scored the free. Garrycastle led 2-8 to 2-6 in the 47th minute.

Athlone desperately needed possession in order to get the ball into their attack. The girls in light blue and white finally did and that player again, Sally Fleming, took on the Garrycastle defence. She ran with the ball and was fouled in the 50th minute and she did similar immediately afterwards and again she was fouled, with both frees successfully kicked by Katie Gibbons. The sides were back level 2-8 apiece and all to play for.

But then Garrycastle’s big game players stood up and influenced the outcome. Libby McHugh was terrific at centre half-back and Erin McHugh was equally terrific at centre half-forward. Henson showed her outstanding promise when taking on the Athlone rearguard and finding the net in the 51st minute. Henson then popped over a free after Erin McHugh was fouled. Garrycastle led 3-9 to 2-8 with just five minutes of normal time left.

Athlone did try but they couldn’t get enough possession into their attack and into Fleming. Although Alesha White and Eabha McGlynn scored points from play and Katie Gibbons converted a number of frees, Fleming needed more support in attack.

Hannah Ganly kicked the score of the game after brilliant build-up play involving Erin McHugh and Henson among others. Henson kicked another free before substitute Aimee Greene contributed the last score of the game before the final whistle.

Player of the match: Amelie Henson (Garrycastle). Henson has huge potential and although not long back from injury, she still played a key role. Erin McHugh and Libby McHugh were also very influential on the evening. Orla Turner at corner-back made interceptions time and again to deny Athlone scoring opportunities. Elliana McManus was consistent at half-back for the full game. For Athlone, Sally Fleming was excellent and her foraging for possession, ball carrying and scoring kept Athlone in the game right to the end.

Scorers - Garrycastle: A Henson 1-6 (0-6f); I Kearney 1-1; E McHugh 1-0; H Ganly 0-2 (1f); E Sweeney, R Costello and A Greene 0-1 each. Athlone: S Fleming 2-2; K Gibbons 0-5 (5f); E McGlynn and A White 0-1 each.

Garrycastle - Ellen Parker; Amy Carter, Aoife McHugh, Orla Turner; Rebecca Sleator, Libby McHugh, Rionagh Costello; Amelie Henson, Jane Byrne; Isabelle Kearney, Erin McHugh, Olivia Collins; Hannah Ganly, Ella Sweeney, Eirinn Gaynor. Subs: Wiktoria Wziatek, Drew Dunphy, Aimee Greene and Trudy Quilty.

Athlone - Gabriella Wyrzykowska; Rose Fleming, Caoimhe Nolan, Aoibheann Coughlan; Lucia Wright, Lauren Daly, Sadhbh Hughes; Alesha White, Emma Killian; Isabel Tynan Daly, Katie Gibbons, Eabha McGlynn; Beibhinn O’Mara, Sally Fleming, Leigha Donlon.

Referee - Paul McCaughey (Milltown).