Garrycastle’s magnificent seven gives Loman’s too much to do

Garrycastle 7-6 St Loman’s Mullingar 2-5

An impressive seven goals paved the way for a richly deserved Garrycastle victory, in the Westmeath LGFA U14 Division 1 final, at The Downs on Saturday last.

St Loman’s Mullingar battled bravely on the day but there was simply no stopping a superior Garrycastle side who scored four first-half goals to lead by 4-4 to 2-2 at half-time before completing the job in impressive fashion.

While conditions were cold, it was bright for most of the game and the rain only arrived in the second half. After a couple of missed chances, Garrycastle - who had the breeze in the favour - eventually took the lead when Erin McHugh got the first of her two goals, her shot finding the bottom corner in clinical fashion after five minutes.

There was no time for St Loman’s to recover before a point from Ella Sweeney pushed the south Westmeath side four clear, after Amelie Henson supplied the telling pass. However, when Megan Charles’ pass found Evie Kilmurray, the latter shot over to give St Loman’s their opening score of the final.

The Garrycastle response was impressive, though as Erin McHugh set up Wiktoria Wziatek for the first of her three majors. Amelie Henson’s free then came off the upright and rebounded into the net via a defender’s leg. The midfielder added a point from play at this stage, leaving it 3-2 to 0-1 in Garrycastle’s favour.

There would be no let-up in the Garrycastle surge as a fine finish by Hannah Ganly (free) put 12 points between the teams after 26 minutes. St Loman’s rallied and Evie Kilmurray sent Lucy Kilmurray clear: her shot was saved by corner back Orla Turner, but a penalty resulted for an earlier foul and Evie Kilmurray found the net.

Eibhlin Casey later notched a point from a free and the lead was back to eight points. But then came Garrycastle’s fourth goal as Amelie Henson’s free found Wiktoria Wziatek, who finished to the net.

Four minutes into injury time came the sixth goal of the half and this time it was the Mullingar girls who were on target. Evie Kilmurray played the ball inside and after good work by Megan Charles, Ruby Higgins found the net, leaving eight points separating the sides at the interval (4-4 to 2-2).

Garrycastle got the ideal start to the second half when Jola Kearney’s run led to Erin McHugh and Wiktoria Wziatek combining and the latter’s shot was deflected into the net. Amelie Henson then created a chance for Hannah Ganly (after a good run) and the corner forward shot over.

Gradually St Loman’s got their challenge up and running again and Mia Lambden’s shot bounced over the crossbar. Evie Kilmurray was still a real dynamo and her run was followed by a neat point. However, the Blues needed much more.

Garrycastle had time to regroup and Ella Sweeney kicked a nice point with the left boot. Amelie Henson soon followed up with a goal and the gap was now 14 points with 48 minutes on the clock.

Evie Kilmurray pulled one back for the saints with a converted free in the 50th minute. But this game was not about to change in terms of its outcome. Garrycastle were long since destined to win. They duly wrapped up victory when Erin McHugh found the net from a penalty in the 58th minute.

Afterwards, Geraldine Buckley (on behalf of Westmeath LGFA) presented the trophy to team captain Amelie Henson, a very worthy recipient, as Garrycastle celebrated a significant achievement.

Player of the match: Erin McHugh (Garrycastle). In truth there were several Garrycastle players who could take the accolade as they were the dominant force, but centre forward Erin McHugh impressed throughout and her finishing and link-up play was excellent.

Scorers - Garrycastle: W Wziatek 3-0, E McHugh 2-1 (1-0pen, 0-1f), A Henson 2-1 (1-0f), E Sweeney and H Ganly 0-2 each. St Loman’s: E Kilmurray 1-2 (1-0pen), R Higgins 1-0, E Casey (f), M Charles and M Lambden 0-1 each.

Garrycastle: Ellen Parker; Doireann Keena, Amy Carter, Orla Turner; Rebecca Sleator, Libby McHugh, Rionagh Costello; Jane Byrne, Amelie Henson; Wiktoria Wziatek, Erin McHugh, Jola Kearney; Alanna Gaffey, Ella Sweeney, Hannah Ganly. Subs used: Olivia Collins, Aisling Gormley, Trudy Quilty, Hollie Barclay-Heneghan, Elianna McManus, Lily Duffy. Rest of panel: Aoife McHugh, Sarah Condon, Niamh Doyle, Eirinn Gaynor, Drew Dunphy, Michaela Greene, Alex Murphy, Hayley Murphy.

St Loman’s Mullingar: Rihianna Shaw Norris, Leah Heffernan, Sarah Davitt, Maisie Daly, Rachael Gouldsbury, Mary Gouldsbury, Katie McDonnell, Rachel Walsh, Eibhlin Casey, Eleanor Corcoran, Megan Charles, Evie Kilmurray, Asha McCormack, Lucy Kilmurray, Ruby Higgins, Muireann Galvin. Subs used: Isabelle McDonnell, Mia Lambden, Kara McKeown.

Referee: Kieran Daly.