Clinton points the way as Delvin fend off Castletown

Delvin 2-22 Castletown Geoghegan 4-13

A ten-point haul from the unmarkable Darragh Clinton helped Delvin secure victory over a gallant Castletown Geoghegan side in this Westmeath Senior 'B' hurling championship game at sunny Ballynacargy GAA last Saturday evening.

It was a game that initially seemed like a cruise for Delvin, but three second-half goals from Castletown Geoghegan's second string made it an extremely interesting and somewhat tense affair. A sensational bout of free-taking from Seán Jackson certainly kept the black and amber in contention, but the damage caused by Clinton, in particular, was too much for the defeated side to overcome.

By the 20th minute, Delvin had amassed an impressive 1-9, with Castletown Geoghegan only able to manage 0-3 in reply. Castletown scored first through Joe Clarke, following a neat ball in from Conor Lynch. However, Delvin responded with points from Clinton (two) and Alan Cox, bringing the sides level at 0-3 each early on.

The game shifted in Delvin’s favour when Ciarán Fenlon found the net, despite a fine save from Eoin Glennon off the first shot by Clinton. This opened the floodgates, and Delvin dominated, with white flags raised by Aaron Fenlon, a Dean Ennis double, Killian Murphy, and Clinton with a triple.

Jackson responded with three frees scattered in between, and by the 28th minute, Castletown’s only score from play remained their opening-minute point.

Just before the break, Jackson found the net in unusual circumstances, as his effort for a point from long-range deceived Stephen Reilly in goals and went into the net.

Two final placed balls from Ennis and Clinton put the gap back out to six at the interval, with Delvin leading 1-12 to 1-6. The scoreline flattered Castletown Geoghegan in many ways.

Upon the restart, Delvin went in search of the killer scores and found the net through half-time substitute Eoin Carolan on 33 minutes. Further frees from Ennis and Clinton were soon followed by the score of the game from Clinton, who hit a stunning point from near the sideline off his left.

Castletown continued to rely on Jackson’s free-taking, and four more brought the scoreboard to 2-17 to 1-10. On 48 minutes, Conor Lynch pounced on a loose ball to fire home at the second attempt as the wind picked up. Five minutes later, Lynch found the net again, lashing home a rebound from Jackson’s attempt. Suddenly, at 2-18 to 3-12, Delvin’s lead looked uncertain.

A solid passage of play from the 55th to 58th minute seemed to ensure Delvin’s victory as Clinton, Ennis, and Murphy all scored from play. Castletown, to their credit, chipped away at the lead. Lynch and Farrington exchanged points, and entering stoppage time, there were six points between the teams—3-13 to 2-22.

Incredibly, Castletown found the net for a fourth time when veteran Joe Clarke smashed home. With the last play, Glennon lobbed a free into the mass of bodies in the Delvin square in search of a levelling goal, but Delvin cleared and survived the late rally.

Scorers - Delvin: Darragh Clinton 0-10 (5f), Dean Ennis 0-5 (2f), Ciarán Fenlon 1-0, Eoin Carolan 1-0, Aaron Fenlon 0-3, Killian Murphy 0-2, Alan Cox 0-1, Patrick Farrington 0-1. Castletown Geoghegan: Seán Jackson 1-11 (10f), Conor Lynch 2-1, Joe Clarke 1-1.

Delvin: Stephen Reilly; Patrick Clune, Francis McGrath, Oisín Kelly; Alan Cox, Adam Ennis, Seán Hoctor; Patrick Farrington, Aaron Fenlon; Darragh Clinton, Conor Fenlon, Ciarán Fenlon; Dean Ennis, Killian Murphy, Fintan Cox. Subs used: Eoin Carolan for F. Cox (h-t), Ben McCormack for Conor Fenlon (44), Adam McCormack for Kelly (57), Sebastian McPherson for D. Ennis (58), Paddy Kelly for Ciarán Fenlon (60+4).

Castletown Geoghegan: Eoin Glennon; Liam Maxwell, Mikey Lynam, Conal Fagan; Fergal O’Brien, Odhrán Gavigan, Andy Conway; Shane Doran, Eoin Kiernan; Seán Jackson, Paul O’Sullivan, Neal Kirby; Dean Slevin, Conor Lynch, Joe Clarke. Subs used: Jack Mulligan for Maxwell (40), Liam Maxwell for O’Sullivan (52).

Referee: Kenneth Gunning (St. Brigid’s).