Goal spree fires Athlone to league success
MJS Building & Development Westmeath U-13 FL Division 2 Final
Athlone 5-11 Killucan 2-8
By Eamon A. Donoghue
It was goals galore as Athlone and Killucan put on an entertaining U13 Division 2 Football League final at Páirc Chiaráin last Friday week.
Athlone had the lion's share of possession in the first half with the wind at their backs. Aodhan Fallon scored 2-4 in the first 30 minutes and goals from Sean Collins and midfielder Cillian Silke laid the platform for the win by the interval. The hot weather also prompted the return of the water-break. Athlone led 4-7 to 1-4 at half-time.
Athlone’s advantage was their ability to play as a team and they worked the ball to the better placed teammates continuously and it paid off with a whirlwind of scores in the first half, whereas Killucan played the game through a few individuals. Although they had some of the better individuals on show, their teamwork was not at Athlone’s level. Midfielders Tory Heffernan and Scott Cogan and captain Jamie Leech did all they could to turn the tide. A handful of individuals were never going to beat an organised Athlone side who always tried to do the right thing in possession.
Aodhan Fallon’s first goal was fortunate, his point attempt ended up in the Killucan net. Collins’ goal was well worked. The electric Conor Johnson and Jack Costello were involved in the build up. Athlone’s third goal came about after Killucan’s defenders didn’t deal with the ball, and the alert Fallon read it best and finished with aplomb.
Their fourth goal left the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half. Fallon and Caimin Gunning were involved, showing fast hands and Silke was put through and he made no mistake in beating Shane Carroll in goal.
Killucan did have their moments in the first half. Leech, Cogan and the hardworking Luke Dowling kicked points. Midfielder Heffernan scored their first half goal with his left foot.
The north county outfit could have had another couple of goals only for Athlone’s outstanding keeper Finn Sheridan. Sheridan pulled off some excellent point blank saves and his performance was as crucial in their impressive first half, as Fallon’s was at the other end of the field.
Killucan started the second half on top but Athlone’s defence had the easy job of targeting the obvious players attacking and they did it excellent fashion.
Killucan did get a good start to the second half. Dowling scored the goal after both midfielders Heffernan and Cogan had worked the ball between them for some 40 metres. Leech tapped over a free to cut the arrears.
Athlone had struggled at the start of the second half, but they got a stroke of luck in the 45th minute. Fionn Macken marauded up from wing-back, let fly for a point but his shot was going wide, until the proactive Johnson palmed the ball to the net.
From that moment Athlone’s lead was too much for Killucan and they saw out the game comfortably. Both teams threw on all of their subs and late scores from Fallon and Silke was the icing on the cake for Athlone. Killucan didn’t give up, but late fees from Leech was the best they could offer.
Player of the match: Aodhan Fallon (Athlone). This game was won in the first half, and Fallon’s 2-4 in that first half did the damage to Killucan. Cian Mannion, Cillian Silke, Sam Meehan, Caimin Gunning were all instrumental. Tom Leech, Rory Hefferen, Scott Cogen, Jamie Leech and Luke Dowling were best for Killucan.
Key moments: Finn Sheridan’s saves in both halves, particularly in the first half when he pulled off a couple of point blank goalbound shots were key to Athlone’s win. Goals for Killucan in the first half would have kept the score much closer at the interval and Killucan had the wind behind them in the second half.
Scorers - Athlone: A Fallon 2-5 (0-3f), C Silke 1-2, S Collins 1-1, C Johnson 1-0, R Nicholson, S Meehan and B Amyreich 0-1 each. Killucan: L Dowling 1-2, J Leech 0-5 (2f), R Heffernan 1-0, S Cogan 0-1.
Athlone: Finn Sheridan, Fearghal Kelly, Cian Mannion, Sachin Sundarasen, Fionn Macken, Conor McEnroe, Frank Pettit, Sam Meehan, Cillian Silke, Ruairi Nicholson, Aodhan Fallon, Jack Costello, Conor Johnson, Caimin Gunning, Seán Collins. Subs: Bruno Amyreich, Daniel Donegan, Harry Cunningham, Michael Cunningham, Youssef Elhadidy, LJ Kelly, Tomas Walsh, David Fleming.
Killucan: Shane Carroll, PJ Coleman, Calvin Collins, Pauric Casserly’s, Ben Leavy, Tom Leech, Seán Higgins, Rory Heffernan, Scott Cogan, Luke Dowling, Jamie Leech, Jayden Croash, Hugh Kennedy, Cian Lawlor, Dylan Morley. Subs: Bartek Kuty, Owen Gilligan, Mark Crowcock, Conal Kent, Dillon Geraghty, Cadan Core, David Dunne, Dermott Kavanagh, James Monaghan, Adam Mullan, Robert Murphy, Liam Tift, Karl Mehihorn, Eric Kaydonovych, Trijol Bhattacharjee.
Referee: Declan Nugent.