Carroll leads ‘Castle comeback as Athlone let lead slip away

Garrycastle 3-11 Athlone 1-13

Substitute Jamie Carroll emerged as a trump card for Garrycastle, who produced a stirring comeback to overcome visiting neighbours Athlone in an entertaining Westmeath ACFL Division 1 clash last Friday night.

The fleet-footed Carroll struck for two goals, with his second sealing victory with the last kick of the game as Athlone searched in vain for an equalising point.

While it was a morale boosting victory for Garrycastle, the Athlone camp was left wondering how they contrived to lose the game. Athlone held an eight-point lead (1-13 to 0-8) with about 20 minutes remaining and they also had an extra man for some of that period after Garrycastle’s Mark McCallon was shown a second yellow card (51st minute). But they failed to add to their tally as Garrycastle hit an unanswered 3-3 salvo to take the spoils.

The loss through injury of Kieran Colclough – whose long range freetaking was a notable feature of the contest – was undoubtedly a blow to Athlone. Yet the men in blue and white were overly dependent on frees for scores, with ten of their points coming from that source, including three two-pointers by Colclough.

With both sides having their scheduled Division 1 opening fixtures postponed, this was their first league outing (and their first competitive game under the new rules) and it attracted a substantial crowd to Garrycastle.

On a crisp but thankfully dry night, Athlone sent in some fine kick passes in the early stages but scores were slow to arrive. Stephen O’Connor opened the scoring from a free (fifth minute), before Colclough sent over a free from outside the 40-metre arc. The umpire on duty did not raise the orange flag, but it was clarified at half-time that it was indeed a two-pointer.

Cathal Mannion hit Garrycastle’s opening score with a delightful shot off the outside of his left boot, before Donagh Prendergast’s incisive crossfield pass led to a foul on O’Connor, with the latter converting the free.

Conor Cosgrove, who ended with 1-3 to his credit, got his first score, but Athlone were generally on top in the opening half. Shane Allen blasted over a point after good work from Prendergast and Cillian Geary, while Colclough’s second two-pointer made it 0-8 to 0-3 by the 24th minute.

Cosgrove’s third point (a free) and one from the lively Jason Nugent moved the green and red men closer. O’Connor judged the wind perfectly to convert a free, before a well worked ‘Castle move ended with a point from the impressive Ben Donegan. Another free from O’Connor left Athlone leading 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time.

Athlone had an ideal start to the second period, with substitute Shane Reid getting the vital touch to divert Eamon Martin’s high delivery to the Garrycastle net.

Points from Michael Monaghan (a free) and Donegan (evading a few tackles to kick a classy score) kept Garrycastle in touch. Yet Eoin Jordan’s charges added to their lead in the next few minutes. Firstly, Colclough swept over a long range free with a kick so sweetly struck that Kerry’s Seán O’Shea would be happy to claim it. This was followed by points from play by Allen and Colclough, giving the visitors an eight-point advantage.

However, Colclough’s involvement ended due to an injury in the 43rd minute and he was replaced by Conor Rushe.

Undaunted by the deficit facing them, Garrycastle built on Michael Monaghan’s second point by pouncing for their first goal. Andrew Monaghan’s mishit shot was gathered by James Dolan, who swiftly offloaded to Jamie Carroll and the latter fired home.

Further points followed from Michael Monaghan (a free) and Mannion. With Eoin Mulvihill and substitute Eoin Monaghan influential figures, Cosgrove contributed Garrycastle’s second goal following a well worked move with Carroll involved. This 58th-minute goal put the home side in front for the first time as Athlone were punished for turning over possession with a stray handpass.

Carroll almost scored another goal with his shot going across the goal and wide. At the other end, Geary came even closer to finding the net with a low shot after substitute Matt Scally and Ben Killian were involved in the build-up.

Athlone just couldn’t create a decent chance of an equaliser and, deep in added time, the visitors were caught out when Carroll played a one-two with Nugent and drove the ball to the unguarded net.

Although this wasn’t a game that would have the likes of St Loman’s or The Downs quaking in their boots, it was nonetheless an intriguing contest, particularly as it was played on the last day of February, with both sides having plenty to work on ahead of upcoming tests.

Key moments: Conor Cosgrove's late goal put Garrycastle into a lead they didn't relinquish. In added time, Cillian Geary came within inches of scoring a goal that surely would have clinched victory for Athlone.

Referee watch: Local derbies can be difficult assignments for referees, but Cathal Boland, one of the youngest officials in the county, could be satisfied with his evening's work. Both sides might quibble with a decision here or there, but Boland did a fine job overall in a game that was keenly contested but generally played in a good spirit.

Scorers - Garrycastle: J Carroll 2-0; C Cosgrove 1-3 (0-2f); M Monaghan 0-3 (2f); B Donegan and C Mannion 0-2 each: J Nugent 0-1. Athlone: K Colclough 0-7 (3 2ptf); S O’Connor 0-4 (4f); S Reid 1-0; S Allen 0-2.

Garrycastle: Sean Brennan; Jack Mulvihill, Jack Donohue, Matthew Guiheen; Killian Redmond, Mark McCallon, Cathal Mannion; Conor McKiernan, Eoin Mulvihill; James Dolan, Michael Monaghan, Jason Nugent; Andrew Monaghan, Conor Cosgrove, Ben Donegan. Subs used: Eoin Monaghan, Jamie Carroll.

Athlone: Luke Nicholson; Niall McKenna, James Finlass, Michael Byrne; Josh Kenny, Diarmuid Martin, Luke O’Connell; Shane Allen, Ben Killian; Donagh Prendergast, Eamon Martin, Kieran Colclough; Ryan O’Connor, Stephen O’Connor, Cillian Geary. Subs used: Shane Reid, Conor Rushe, Matt Scally.

Referee: Cathal Boland (St Joseph’s).