McManus goal seals victory as Athlone escape and Tubberclair go down

Such was Athlone's relief at preserving their senior status with this win over neighbours Tubberclair at Tang last Saturday, one almost sensed they have celebrated county final victories with less delight. After losing all five of their group games, the traditional kingpins of Westmeath football were just one defeat away from the ignominy of demotion to the intermediate grade. However, they rose to the challenge in the dreaded relegation play-off and, although they made heavy work of it against a gritty Tubberclair side, they were fully deserving winners. Ultimately, a brilliant goal by corner-forward Dermot McManus five minutes from time was the key score which effectively crushed Tubberclair's resistance. The final scoreline might suggest that Athlone won this game with a degree of comfort, but that would be a misleading picture. Athlone were a point down at half-time (0-5 to 0-4) and didn't take the lead for the first time until the 51st minute. The Shannonsiders' wastefulness in front of goal - they had 14 wides as opposed to Tubberclair's two - meant they just couldn't get ahead until the closing stages. This clash provoked an almost grim fascination across the county and Tang club officials estimated the attendance as larger than for any of the championship double-headers held in Joe Fox Memorial Park this year. The quality of the football may not have been particularly high but, given what was at stake and the closeness of the scoring, it was a compelling spectacle. The last time Tubberclair were relegated (2007), it took them two attempts to get back up, but they went on to reach a Leinster intermediate final and qualified for the knockout stages of the SFC last year. So their experience of bouncing back should stand to them as they seek to regain a place in the top tier once again. In the end, the absence of such key players as Francis Spollen, Jeffrey Farrell and Conor Elliott (amongst others) proved too much for Tubberclair to overcome this year. Danny Sammon's charges opening the scoring in the third minute, Ian Coffey pointing a free after Fergal Wilson was fouled by Gary Quinn. Moments later, Dermot McManus made a superb fetch in the Tubberclair goalmouth but he was surrounded by a phalanx of defenders and the danger was averted. With the impressive Robbie Henshaw (aided by the industrious Paul Bannon) breaking kick-outs away from the towering figure of Mark Fitzgibbon, Athlone were winning the vast majority of the breaks around midfield. Yet, in a sign of things to come, Paul Bannon (free) and John Egan were off target with decent chances. John Connellan showed the way in the eighth minute with a sweet left-footed point after a dummy solo created the space to shoot. At the other end, a misplaced clearance by Gary Quinn led to a smartly taken point by the lively Ian Coffey. On 13 minutes, Coffey found Wilson with a sideline ball and the 2004 Leinster medal winner smoothy pointed off his right. John Connellan again supplied a much-needed Athlone score in the 16th minute, this time a terrific point off his right foot. The air of tension in the ground was palpable and almost every refereeing decision was being hotly disputed by each side. After Connellan appeared very unlucky to be denied a free-in, Ian Coffey was awarded one at the other end, and his younger brother Alan made no mistake to give his side a 0-4 to 0-2 lead. Athlone continued to dominate the possession stakes but they were really struggling to convert this advantage into scores on the board. However, Joe Fallon landed a 24th-minute point with an exquisite free from close to the right touchline. Referee Shane Farrell warned the Tubberclair mentors and subs about encroaching on the pitch, and it wasn't the first time he would admonish the supporting cast on both sides. Back on the field, one of the lead actors, John Connellan scored his third point (after being set up by Mickey Greene) to draw the sides level, 0-4 each. Towards the end of the half, Ian Coffey embarked on a sniping run and, as Athlone defenders closed in, they were adjudged to have fouled. Alan Coffey popped the free over, giving Tubberclair the lead once more, which they held to the interval. Athlone registered four wides in the opening five minutes of the second half, their worried supporters fearing they were going to kick the game away and pay the price with relegation. A couple of sideline balls being kicked straight out of play betrayed Athlone's nervousness, while their shot selection was often faulty. Athlone's frustration in front of goal continued with Henshaw's shot half-blocked after being set up by Fallon's pass. Young Athlone substitute Ray Connellan then played a good ball inside to Tom Stuart-Trainor, who came out of 'semi-retirement' ahead of this game, and the full-forward managed to fist the ball over the bar, despite pressure from the Tubberclair defence. That 43rd-minute point was the first score of the second period, yet it didn't open the floodgates in this fractious encounter. Ray Connellan's introduction was a major boost to Athlone and the teenager's pass created a goal chance for Dermot McManus but, with John Egan also in close attendance, McManus' ground shot was deflected out for a '45' by Gary Connaughton. At the other end, Alan Coffey threatened but he was eventually crowded out by the Athlone defence (in which Fergal Murray showed all his cuteness and experience throughout). With the sides level at 0-5 each, John Egan hit a vital point in the 51st minute (after good work by John Connellan and Henshaw). This gave Athlone the impetus and Ray Connellan then hit a beauty from the right. Still, Tubberclair responded with a pointed free from the reliable Alan Coffey, after a foul on Ian, to leave the minimum between them. Then came that superb goal. The impressive Henshaw made a great run forward and his pass found McManus, who turned inside the defence and rifled a right-foot shot into the top corner of the net. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and there was no way back for Tubberclair. With their tails now up, Athlone were awarded a penalty with a couple of minutes to go. The word went out to settle for a point and Paul Bannon duly did so, putting his side five up (1-8 to 0-6). As the game went into injury time, John Connellan added a point from a free. Tubberclair were awarded a late free and even though there was some retaliation from Ian Coffey (who was already on a yellow card), the free stood and was pointed by Alan. It mattered little at that stage as Athlone survived and Tubberclair faced into the reality of intermediate football for next year. SCORERS - Athlone: J Connellan 0-4 (1f); D McManus 1-0; T Stuart-Trainor, J Egan, R Connellan, J Fallon (f), P Bannon (pen) 0-1 each. Tubberclair: A Coffey 0-4 (4f); I Coffey 0-2 (1f), F Wilson 0-1. ATHLONE: Darren Costello; Dermot Piggott, Gary Quinn, Fergal Murray; Noel Mulligan, Damien Kelly, Brian Gill; Paul Bannon, Robbie Henshaw; John Egan, Mickey Greene, John Connellan; Joe Fallon, Tom Stuart-Trainor, Dermot McManus. Subs: Ray Connellan for Greene (inj., h-t); Andrew Lynam for Quinn (50). TUBBERCLAIR: Gary Connaughton; Barry Cassells, Jack Byrne, Rory Walsh; Liam Doogan, James Martin, Mark Kenny; Danny Keegan, Mark Fitzgibbon; David O'Brien, Ian Coffey, Bernard 'Beano' Cassells; Alan Coffey, Fergal Wilson, Daniel Sammon, Subs: David Fagan for O'Brien (38 mins); Aaron Curley for Keegan (54); Steven Lawless for Sammon (56). REFEREE: Shane Farrell (Ballynacargy).