Westmeath boys find a bit extra in thriller
Ted Webb Cup final: Westmeath 3-16 Cork 2-15 (AET)
By John Corless
Westmeath battled back from seven points down with eight minutes of normal time to go, eventually overcoming Cork in the Ted Webb Cup final, played in the sunshine of Ballyhaunis GAA grounds, in Mayo, last Saturday afternoon.
The sides were level at half-time in normal time, at full-time and half-time in extra time. In the end, Westmeath had four points to spare after Darren Corcoran found the net, two minutes into the second period of extra time as Cork began to tire.
This was a superb game of football played in a very sporting manner and the future of both counties looks bright, based on the standard of skill and play on display.
With the wind at their backs, Westmeath raced into a five-point lead in seven minutes, with points from Tadhg Mulvihill and Jamie McGuinness, separated by a Michael Brennan goal.
Cork registered their first score, a pointed free from Dylan O’Shea on nine minutes, and Micheál Deasy was denied by the upright immediately afterwards, after he connected with Darren Cahill’s diagonal ball as they began to settle into it.
O’Shea added another point a few minutes later, and points from Tom McCullagh and Danny Buckley reduced the margin to the minimum after 16 minutes.
At the other end, Tristan Duncan got a fine point for Westmeath and Jamie McGuinness came close, but he dropped his shot short. Dylan O’Shea might have tried for a goal as he broke through for Cork, but settled for a point, reducing the margin to one again.
Joshua Scahill’s effort got caught up in the wind for Westmeath as both sides went for it. Jamie McGuinness sent over a superb free kick from the sideline to put Westmeath two in front, but Tom McCullagh replied soon afterwards for Cork.
Midfielder Fionn Coppinger then got the first of his three two-pointers to put Cork in front for the first time, but Brennan equalised almost immediately. Darren Cahill’s free was misdirected by the breeze and, at the other end, a Jamie McGuinness effort from distance nearly deceived the goalkeeper, as referee Shane Corcoran blew the whistle to end a most entertaining first half.
Niall Gaughan put Westmeath back in front after the restart. Brennan and Mulvihill added points as Ken Berry's charges seemed to have control of the game.
But then Cork took over. In an 11-minute spell they registered 2-4 unanswered and looked certain winners. Cormac O’Leary and Darragh Harrington got the goals, with Danny Buckley and Ryan Healy supplying points, and Coppinger adding his second two-pointer. During this strong Cork spell, McGuinness dropped one short and Mulvihill sent an effort wide at the other end.
It is a great testament to the Westmeath lads that they pulled this deficit back. A substantial lead is no guarantee in the modern game, of course, but Cork should not have let their opponents back into it. But back into it Westmeath came, ignited by a Darren Corcoran free and a superb two-pointer from Brennan.
When Niall Gaughan found the net, suddenly the lead was cut to one, before Brennan equalised to send the game to extra time.
Darren Corcoran pointed after the restart, but the impressive Fionn Coppinger launched his third two-pointer to put Cork back in front. Joshua Scahill then coolly pointed a free to level it again.
Early in the second period of extra time, Mulvihill sent in Corcoran whose composed finish to the net broke Cork hearts.
A minute later, John Mitchell set up Duncan but his shot towards the net was heroically denied by Cork goalie Charlie Curtin. The brilliant save wasn’t enough to give them a leg-up, however, and Westmeath ’keeper Tom McCaul sent over a 45 to put four between the sides as the clock ticked down. O’Shea pointed for Cork but it wasn’t enough and Corcoran added the final point to seal the win.
Afterwards, the trophy was presented to Westmeath captain Shay Leavy by Edward Webb, nephew of the late Ted Webb, on the 50th anniversary of the former Mayo player's passing, then aged 21, as a result of a car accident.
Player of the match: Paul Deasy, Oran Murphy, Cormac O’Leary and Tadgh O’Connor were best for Cork. Michael Brennan and Darren Corcoran were outstanding for Westmeath, but the player of the match award goes to their colleague, Josh Scahill.
Westmeath: Tom McCaul (0-1); Jack Daly, Shay Leavy (captain), Peadar Baird; Shane Canning, Liam O'Brien, Ciaran McGrath; Tristan Duncan (0-1), Caelan Keaveney; Jamie McGuinness (0-2), Darren Corcoran (1-3), Aodhan Cullen; Tadhg Mulvihill (0-2), Michael Brennan (1-5), Joshua Scahill (0-1). Subs: Jason Moran, Ruairi Nicholson, John Mitchell, Niall Gaughan (1-1), Ciaran Berry, Sam Byrne.
Cork: Charlie Curtain; Tomas Mullins, Michael Deasy, Joe McGrath; Cormac Cashman, Oran Murphy, Tadgh O’Connor; Fionn Coppinger (0-6), Paul Deasy; Alex Magner, Darragh Harrington (1-0), Setanta O’Sullivan; Conor Crowley, Cathrach O’Leary (1-0), Conor Murphy (Diarmuid O’Mathuna GAA). Subs: Conor Murphy (Éire Óg), Darren Cahill, Danny Buckley (0-2), Tom McCullagh (0-2), Finn Brady, Dylan O'Shea (0-4), Ciaran Murray, Michael O’Donovan, Daire Long, Liam Cronin, Aled Hopkins, Ryan Healy (0-1).
Referee: Shane Corcoran.