Garrycastle player profiles: Westmeath IFC final
Garrycastle take on Milltown in the Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath Intermermediate Football Championship final at TEG Cusack Park tomorrow (Sunday), throw-in 3.30pm. Here are profiles of the Garrycastle squad.
Sean Brennan [Garda]. Sean is a goalkeeper who has also played a lot of his football outfield. A fine shot-stopper with an excellent kickout, and very dependable on long range frees, Sean is also a talented soccer player.
Jamie Carroll [Student]. Jamie made his adult playing debut this year for Garrycastle. Also a talented soccer player, Jamie has chipped in with some crucial scores this year. Can play any position across the forward line, and is a constant thorn in the side of the defence.
Conor Cosgrove [Team Lead Customer Service]. A talented and accurate corner forward and free taker. A true Garrycastle legend, Conor had nerves of steel to kick the memorable winning point in the Leinster club final in 2011. Scoring freely this year, he is always a danger to the opposing defence.
James Dolan [Teacher]. A brilliantly versatile player who is equally effective in defence, midfield or attack. A big game player who always rises to the occasion, and delivers some inspirational scores. Represented Westmeath with great skill and distinction until his retirement from inter-county football this year.
Ben Donegan [Student]. Ben broke into this year’s championship team after impressing greatly in the side throughout the league. A fast and accurate forward, Ben uses his skill and agility to very good effect, and has been a prolific scorer this year. Ben has also represented Westmeath at underage level.
Jack Donohue [Mental Health Nurse]. Jack is captain of this year’s team. A talented player who plays at full-back, Jack has multiple honours with Garrycastle, a minor medal with the St Ciarán’s amalgamation team, and an All-American Intermediate and Texas Senior championship from his time in Texas.
John Gaffey [Business Development Manager]. The beating heart of Garrycastle football club, a huge presence on the field, and a granite hard defender. Captained the Garrycastle team in 2011 and became the first Westmeath player to lift the McCabe Cup when Garrycastle captured the Leinster title that year and reached the All-Ireland club final in 2012. John played on the Westmeath senior team for many years.
Michael Greene [Teacher]. Michael is a strong and combative forward who can win his own ball, is very hard to dispossess when in possession and certainly knows how to take a score when the chance comes.
Matthew Guiheen [Carty Meats]. Made his senior championship debut in 2012 and has been a constant part of the Garrycastle set up since then. Has converted from being an attacker to his current position of a tight marking defender who loves to make forays into attack.
Ger Heneghan [Senior Wealth Executive]. Ger is a beautiful kicker of the ball, is very accurate from placed balls, and is a great distributor, bringing the players around him into the game, and providing them with an outlet as needed. Ger has played at all levels for Roscommon and has won Roscommon and Connacht senior championships.
Dylan Keegan [Teacher]. Dylan is a player who has progressed greatly in recent years. Equally at home in midfield or on the half-forward line, he is a good ball winner and very accurate in his shooting.
Enda Keena [Teacher]. Enda has been a mainstay of Garrycastle teams for many years, and has played football in defence and attack but is usually to be found working very hard in the half-back line.
Cathal Mannion [Data Analyst]. Cathal has been a mainstay of Garrycastle teams over the years, usually operating in a corner-forward position, where he uses his speed and intelligence to very good effect.
Gary McCallon [Garda]. Younger brother of Mark, and a dogged defender, who has been known to make forays up the field as well. Gary has been a mainstay in the team since he made his debut in 2012. Gary has also represented Westmeath at Under-21 level.
Mark McCallon [Garda]. A pacey and tight-marking corner back and a mainstay of Garrycastle teams since his senior championship debut in 2009. Represented Westmeath at U-21 and senior level for a number of years. A model of consistency on the field.
Cian McCarthy [Student]. Cian made his debut for the first team this year after impressing with the junior team over the last two years. A talented and high-fielding midfielder, Cian also plays hurling with Southern Gaels and has represented Westmeath hurlers at all levels.
Rory McGowan [Engineer]. Rory has been a member of the Garrycastle setup for many years, enjoying great success over the years at wing-forward. A great impact substitute when a change is needed. Rory is also a talented rugby player.
Conor McKiernan [Engineer]. Conor has lined out at midfield for the club throughout the 2024 season. Is definitely one of the most committed players on the panel. Adept at providing cover in the centre of the field, and a steadying influence on the overall team.
Fergal McKiernan [Engineer]. Twin brother to Conor, Fergal mainly lines out in defence for Garrycastle. Fergal captained this year’s junior team to a county semi-final from the full-back position, and is a strong and sticky defender.
Patrick McKiernan [Engineer]. Paddy is the back-up goalkeeper on the panel, and he has proved to be a very capable replacement whenever called upon. He has played at all levels for the club from underage.
Andrew Monaghan [Student]. The third and youngest member of the Monaghan family on the panel. Andrew has played in both midfield and attack for Garrycastle. More usually found in the half-back line these days, he is a very good reader of the game and a very strong tackler.
Eoin Monaghan [Accountant]. One of three Monaghan brothers on the panel, Eoin is a very skilful player who is equally adept at scoring with both feet and has a great engine. Operating this year on the half-forward line, chipping in with important scores when needed.
Michael Monaghan [Financial Consultant]. Another of the Monaghan brothers on the panel, Michael is a very dangerous forward with the ability to kick with both feet. Often catches the eye with some fantastic point scoring and very adept at linking play between the backs and forwards.
Gary Mullery [Graphic Designer]. Gary is a very reliable long-serving corner-back who has won multiple honours with Garrycastle. Used as an impact substitute in recent years, he brings a wealth of experience onto the field, and exudes a calming influence on proceedings.
Eoin Mulvihill [Student]. Eoin is a very fine player who has established himself on the Westmeath senior team this year. He is comfortable in any of the defensive positions and has also played in midfield. Very good reader of the game, with excellent tackling skills. He also chips in with the occasional score when the opportunity arises.
Jack Mulvihill [Warehouse Operative]. Jack made his debut at senior level last year and has cemented his place at corner back this season with some excellent displays. Has represented Westmeath at minor and U20 levels. Very sticky defender, who lets very little past him.
Diarmaid Murtagh [Student]. Diarmaid is a talented young player, who made a great impression throughout this year’s league. Can play in both attack and midfield, Diarmaid plays hurling with Southern Gaels who have also reached an Intermediate final this year.
Jason Nugent [Polymer Engineer]. Jason is a very speedy forward, who has caused many defences plenty of problems this year. Uses his speed to great advantage, and has a footballing brain to match. Another big game player, can be depended on to put in the hard yards.
Killian Redmond [Student]. Killian is one of the most improved and dedicated players on the panel. Has lined out in defence, midfield and attack this year and has proven to be a great asset to the team when called upon.
James Sheerin [Physiotherapist]. James joined the club all the way from Wicklow, and has thrived in the full-forward line as a target man, also being used to great effect as a midfielder. James is very effective as an impact substitute, and always seems to contribute much needed scores.
Extended panel: Shane McEnery, Neal Rattigan, Shane Moran, Kenny Dolan, Anthony Larkin, Cathal Redmond, Daniel Guinan, Peadar Mulvihill, Brian Kenny, Ross Mulvihill, Tommy Devery, Sean Doak, Ciaran O'Neill, Cillian Lyons, Tom Daly, Andrew Ruane, Philip Monaghan.
Management team: Gary Dolan, Karl Henson, Doron Harte and Francis Doolin. Backroom team: Padraig Cosgrove, Shay Turley, Vinny Guinan, Eamonn Keena, Richie Murray, Emmet Keena and Paul Kenny.
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