Conteh clinches victory for Moate in thrilling goal fest

Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC - Section B, Round 2

Moate All Whites 4-15 Athlone 4-10

Eight goals and 25 points were shared in this thrilling Westmeath SFC clash at Caulry GAA where Moate All Whites overcame Athlone last Sunday.

Moate deserved their victory for the way they recovered from various setbacks and for finishing the game strongly when it was in the melting pot. Ultimately, Tobby Conteh's 55th-minute goal secured victory for Moate as Athlone were punished for coughing up possession as they chased down a two-point deficit.

Having lost their opening round game to Tubberclair, Moate were in greater need of victory and perhaps this proved a key factor. Yet Athlone were surely bitterly frustrated to leave empty handed, having led 2-1 to 0-2 after nine minutes and 4-4 to 1-9 early in the second half. In addition, the Shannonsiders had an extra man for ten minutes after Moate substitute Cian Whitney was shown a black card but they were unable to exploit this advantage.

Classy Athlone forward Stephen O'Connor scored three goals and a total of 3-4 but still finished on the losing side, while Billy Berry finished as Moate's top scorer with 2-2. Both sides won't need to be reminded about the need to improve on their defending, but the decent-sized crowd in Mount Temple certainly got value for money on the day.

In what was a rare intermediate and senior championship double header in Mount Temple (Rosemount defeated Maryland in the curtain-raiser), Caulry GAA did a fine job in hosting the two games.

Despite playing against the fresh breeze, Athlone started brightly with Stephen O'Connor scoring 1-1 inside the first five minutes. O'Connor's point was an individual score and his goal came at the end of a flowing move with Kian Mitchell and Cillian Lynn involved. The scorer kept his composure despite being fouled by Moate keeper Peter McDonald to finish the ball to the empty net.

But Moate responded impressively as Robbie Forde and Billy Berry landed quickfire points. In the ninth minute, however, Athlone struck for their second goal. Mitchell was presumably going for a point when he shot towards the posts but his effort dropped short. The razor sharp O'Connor caught the ball and swept it to the net.

A few minutes later, Moate midfielder Paul Gorman won a kickout and this led to a goal from Daragh Lowry, the attacking wing-back finding the net with a composed, side-footed finish.

As the lively exchanges continued, scores from Tobby Conteh and Forde (using the wind to great effect with a two-pointer) saw Moate hit the front, 1-5 to 2-1.

With Moate doing well in the battle for possession from kickouts, Athlone now needed to respond and they did so with a brace of points from Mitchell. Harry Niall availed of the space in front of him to level matters, before the rampaging Lowry set up a chance for Billy Berry, whose shot whizzed just over the crossbar.

The All Whites were fortunate not to be punished for a poor kickout with O'Connor setting up a goal chance for Mitchell. The latter may have been fouled before his shot was saved by Peter McDonald, redeeming himself from the kickout which went awry.

An excellent two-pointer from Lowry extended Moate's lead in style. At the other end, Shane Allen's attempt was adjudged to have crept just inside the posts. In the 29th minute, Ray Connellan, who had been relatively subdued heretofore, set up a goal chance for O'Connor and the latter made no mistake to complete his hat-trick.

On a day of changeable weather, the sun was now out as vigilant covering by Josh Kenny ensured Athlone headed for the dressing rooms leading narrowly, 3-4 to 1-9.

Within two minutes of the restart, John Twaddle's charges grabbed their fourth goal as Allen palmed the ball to the net to finish off a superb passage of play.

Significantly, however, Moate quickly cancelled that out as Conteh did well to create the opening for Berry's palmed finish. Athlone keeper Darren Costello claimed a 'square ball' but the goal stood. Forde followed up with a point and the sides were now level (4-4 to 2-10).

O'Connor briefly put Athlone back in front from a 36th-minute free, but Berry then grabbed his second goal. Forde's high delivery was not dealt with by the Athlone defence, allowing Berry to pounce with a clinical finish.

Mitchell edged Athlone closer but the men in blue and white also recorded a couple of costly wides during this phase of proceedings.

Moate were dealt a blow when Cian Whitney was correctly shown a black card for a cynical foul on Mitchell as Athlone threatened a goal. The resulting free was pointed by O'Connor.

Now a player down for ten minutes, Val Daly's troops seemed to up their game in response. Heavy rain saw spectators scramble to take cover. On the field, the game became more of a battle and Moate thrived in this situation.

Lowry put the All Whites back in front before the irrepressible O'Connor added to his tally. On 51 minutes, Conteh landed a superb free from the right to raise an orange flag which was crucial at this stage. Conteh followed up with another free for a single.

A great catch by Shane Allen led to a point for Mitchell and Ben Killian then landed another (the umpires initially waved it wide but referee Barry Kelly appeared correct to overrule them). There was now just the bare minimum between them.

In an exciting finale, James Bracken came forward to send over a left-footed point. As Athlone tried to salvage at least a share of the spoils, Killian carried the ball into heavy traffic around midfield and Moate exploited the turnover to lethal effect. Berry, Forde and Lowry were involved and Conteh finished in style to cap off his excellent second-half display.

There were no more scores as Athlone's increasingly despairing efforts were unable to bear any fruit.

The result means both sides have two points on the board, with Tubberclair on top of Section B on four points ahead of Killucan (three).

Key moment: Take your pick from Tobby Conteh's terrific two-pointer from a free or the same player's goal, Moate's fourth which effectively sealed victory.

Man of the match: Stephen O'Connor (Athlone). The outstanding O'Connor scored 3-4 in addition to being involved in most of Athlone's most productive moves. He certainly didn't deserve to finish on the losing side. Daragh Lowry and Billy Berry excelled for Moate throughout while Tobby Conteh really came to the fore in the second half. The Bracken and Niall brothers also showed plenty of endeavour.

Scorers - Moate: B Berry 2-2; T Conteh 1-4 (tpf, 1f); D Lowry 1-3 (tpf); R Forde 0-4 (1tp); Harry Niall and J Bracken 0-1 each. Athlone: S O'Connor 3-4 (0-2f); S Allen 1-1; K Mitchell 0-4; B Killian 0-1.

Moate All Whites - Peter McDonald; Dean Corbally, Andrew Gorman, Cathal O'Brien; Dylan Nulty, James Bracken, Daragh Lowry; Paul Gorman, Harry Niall; Tobby Conteh, Hagan Niall, Eoin Bracken; Billy Berry, Robbie Forde, Darragh Delaney. Subs: Cian Whitney for Delaney; Sam Fannin for Hagan Niall.

Athlone - Darren Costello; Michael Byrne, James Finlass, Josh Kenny; Stephen Flaherty, Diarmuid Martin, Kieran Colclough; Shane Allen, Ray Connellan; Ben Killian, Eamon Martin, Shane Reid; Kian Mitchell, Cillian Lynn, Stephen O'Connor. Subs: Darragh Lough for Lynn; Ryan O'Connor for Reid.

Referee - Barry Kelly (Mullingar Shamrocks).