Garrycastle make it two wins from two in league
Garrycastle 2-10 Coralstown-Kinnegad 0-12
By Eamon A. Donoghue
Garrycastle laid the platform for this ACFL Division 1 win over Coralstown-Kinnegad in the first half against the wind on their home pitch last Friday night.
In an entertaining game played with the most positive intentions by both teams, it was Garrycastle that continued on their winning ways. Coralstown-Kinnegad won their first round game (against Caulry) as did Garrycastle (against Athlone), but it was the home side that continued the winning run.
A key factor was Coralstown-Kinnegad's wayward shooting in the second quarter with the strong wind at their backs. For Garrycastle, Michael Monaghan’s second-half goal was key.
The visitors had the elements behind them in the opening half but they didn’t use them to best effect. They kicked just the one two-pointer from Ger Leech and they had a number of wides in the second quarter. Leech kept them in the game by half-time but he was almost a lone scoring figure. Their other scores over the course of the game came from Podge Quinn and Conor Cunningham.
Garrycastle scored a crucial goal in the 12th minute, Jamie Carroll the scorer after a shot by Ben Donegan was blocked.
Conor Cosgrove kicked what looked like a two-pointer from a free out near the sideline, but a white flag was raised instead of the new orange flag. Garrycastle were just one score in arrears at half time, 1-4 to 0-8, having playing against the wind.
Last year's intermediate champions struggled to come to terms with the wind at their backs in the second half. They didn’t score until the 40th minute. Coralstown-Kinnegad scored the first two scores of the second half, courtesy of Ger Leech and took the lead for the first time in the game.
Once Gary Dolan's charges got their bearings and rhythm, adjusting to the wind at their backs, they kicked on. Michael Monaghan's goal started the run and they scored six more times without reply. The third quarter was the turning point for Garrycastle.
Scores by Michael Monaghan, half-back Cathal Mannion and Jason Nugent saw out the game. They had Mark McCallon sent off with minutes to go but the Kinnegad side’s only response was two Ger Leech late consolation scores.
Player of the match: Michael Monaghan (Garrycastle). Monaghan kicked scores from frees, assisted in scores and scored his team's vital second goal. James Dolan, Eoin Mulvihill, Jason Nugent and Ben Donegan all contributed to the home side's win. Ger Leech was best for Coralstown-Kinnegad.
Scorers – Garrycastle: M Monaghan 1-3 (0-3f), C Cosgrove 0-4 (3f), J Carroll 1-0, A Monaghan, C Mannion and J Nugent 0-1 each. Coralstown-Kinnegad: G Leech 0-10 (1 2pt, 3f), C Cunningham and P Quinn 0-1 each.
Garrycastle: Seán Brennan; Killian Redmond, Jack Donohue, Matthew Guiheen; James Dolan, Mark McCallon, Cathal Mannion; Andrew Monaghan, Eoin Mulvihill; Jamie Carroll, Michael Monaghan, Jason Nugent; Eoin Monaghan, Conor Cosgrove, Ben Donegan. Subs used: Dylan Keegan and Diarmaid Murtagh.
Coralstown-Kinnegad: Fergal Dardis; Podge Quinn, Danny Woods, Jack Quinn; Ronan Doyle, Darren Giles, Josh Gahan; Brian McGrath, James Maxwell; Callum Cruise, Eoin O’Brien, Jack Torpey; Dan Leech, Dan Cole, Ger Leech. Subs used: Conor Cunningham, John Kiernan and Danny Woods.
Referee: John Gallagher.