Athlone and Tubberclair play out phoney war as spoils are shared

Westmeath SFC: Athlone 3-15 Tubberclair 2-18

With both teams already through to the knockout stages of the Westmeath SFC, Athlone and Tubberclair played out an entertaining draw at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday evening.

The result means that Tubberclair finish top of the Section B table with an undefeated record of four wins and one draw. The green and gold outfit will now meet St Loman’s, Mullingar (perennial contenders over recent years) in their quarter-final next Sunday.

Athlone finish on seven points with their one defeat coming against Moate All Whites in the second round, and the same two teams will do battle again in next Saturday’s intriguing quarter-final.

With a quarter-final coming up next weekend irrespective of this result, both teams opted to make changes on Saturday. On the Tubberclair side, Kealan Connell, Eoghan McCabe, Sean Claffey and Stephen McGonagle were all absent from the starting line-up, while Matthew Whittaker - who returned to action in the previous round against Tang - was an unused substitute on this occasion. For Athlone’s part, Shane Allen and team captain Michael Byrne were both kept in reserve, and other players carrying injuries were not risked.

The contest lacked the sort of intensity and bite normally associated with championship fare, and at times there was a challenge match aspect to proceedings, but there were plenty of fine scores for the attendance to enjoy on what was a pleasant evening.

Athlone looked to have a decent chance of victory when Ryan O’Connor’s second goal gave them a four-point lead midway through the second half. But a black card issued to attacker Kian Mitchell was a blow to Athlone in the closing stages and Tubberclair took advantage. Indeed, it was Athlone who needed an equalising point from Ray Connellan.

Tubberclair went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead inside the opening five minutes, with points from Daire O’Connor, Oisín O’Meara and Fred Kelleher in response to Sean Dowd’s opener for Athlone (after Kieran Colclough’s perceptive pass inside).

But a brace of two-pointers from Ryan O’Connor and Kian Mitchell helped Athlone into a 0-6 to 0-4 lead before the first quarter had elapsed. A brace from Finn Duffy (one free) levelled matters, either side of an excellent tackle from Kyle Fagan thwarting Mitchell. O’Connor then put Athlone back in front.

Tubberclair struck for two goals in quick succession around the 21st minute. Firstly, Athlone were punished when Stephen Flaherty’s wayward lineball landed in the arms of Paul Garvey. The Tubberclair attacker headed goalwards and was adjudged to have been fouled inside the square. Fred Kelleher’s well struck penalty found the net.

The resulting kickout went awry and, moments later, Robbie Curley’s pass gave veteran campaigner Conor Elliott the chance to fire clinically to the Athlone net. Suddenly, Tubberclair were 2-6 to 0-7 ahead.

John Twaddle’s men responded with their first goal (23rd minute). Ray Connellan executed a turnover before good work by Conor Rushe created an opening. Eamon Martin’s pass found his brother Diarmuid and the defender kept his composure to find the net.

Tubberclair points ensued from O’Meara and Duffy (after the Athlone defence coughed up possession rather easily), but Ben Killian landed a two-pointer from a free to move the Shannonsiders within two at half-time (2-8 to 1-9).

Within moments of the resumption, Tubberclair substitute Tom Kelleher made an immediate impact, raising an orange flag off the outside of the boot. Kian Mitchell did well to win Ran Connellan’s delivery before sending over a left-footed point.

Four points were then evenly shared, with Fred Kelleher and defender Kyle Fagan on the mark for Tubberclair, while Athlone sub Shane Allen converted two frees at the other end.

The impressive Ryan O’Connor notched his first goal to level matters in the 43rd minute. Mitchell’s fine pass created the opening and the move was carried on by Colclough, before O’Connor shot to the net.

Following another free from Allen, O’Connor struck again. This time Eamon Martin deserved a large share of the credit, with O’Connor again producing a stylish finish. Gavin Delaney boosted Tubberclair with a great kick for a two-pointer, before O’Meara followed up with his third.

Referee Mickey Dan Murtagh showed Mitchell a black card after consulting with one of his umpires, leaving Athlone a man short for ten minutes. And although Allen pointed a free to put Athlone two ahead, pressure from Tubberclair yielded converted frees from Fred Kelleher (a two-pointer) and Duffy, leaving the Glasson men leading 2-18 to 3-14.

In the 57th minute, Ray Connellan made light of a tricky angle on the left to arrow over what proved the equaliser. Athlone had more possession in the closing minutes but they proved unable to conjure a winner as thoughts turned to the imminent knockout action.

Man of the match: Ryan O'Connor (Athlone). The wing-forward was as good as anyone on the day. O'Connor scored 2-3 and both of his goals were superbly taken. For Tubberclair, Fred Kelleher (scorer of 1-5), attacking wing-back Oisín O'Meara, Taylor Slevin and midfielder Tadhg Moody all had some good moments.

What's next: Athlone will meet traditional rivals Moate All Whites at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday (4.45pm), while the rising Tubberclair force will be severely tested when meeting 2024 champions St Loman's, Mullingar at the same venue and time the following day.

Scorers - Athlone: R O’Connor 2-3 (1tp); K Mitchell (1tp, 1f) and S Allen (4f) 0-4 each; D Martin 1-0; B Killian 0-2 (tpf); S Dowd and R Connellan 0-1 each. Tubberclair: F Kelleher 1-5 (1-0pen, tpf, 1f); F Duffy 0-4 (2f); C Elliott 1-0; O O’Meara 0-3; T Kelleher (tp) and G Delaney (tp) 0-2 each; D O’Connor and K Fagan 0-1 each.

Athlone - Darren Costello; Josh Kenny, James Finlass, Owen McNamara; Niall McKenna, Diarmuid Martin, Stephen Flaherty; Ben Killian, Ray Connellan; Ryan O’Connor, Kieran Colclough, Sean Dowd; Conor Rushe, Eamon Martin, Kian Mitchell. Subs: Shane Allen for Rushe, Michael Byrne for Kenny (both half-time); Piaras Rohan for McNamara (51 mins); Darragh Lough for Dowd (60).

Tubberclair - Simon Fagan; Matthew Lynch, Cathal Tighe, Kyle Fagan; Kevin Claffey, Taylor Slevin, Oisín O’Meara; Tadhg Moody, Gavin Delaney; Daire O’Connor, Fred Kelleher, Finn Duffy; Conor Elliott, Paul Garvey, Robbie Curley. Subs: Tom Kelleher for Claffey (h-t); Kealan Connell for Elliott (46 mins); Sean Claffey for Moody (51); Oisin Donoghue for Lynch (55); Joseph Martin for O’Connor (59).

Referee - Mickey Dan Murtagh (The Downs).