Looking back on Moate's last Flanagan Cup success

The last time Moate All Whites won the Westmeath senior football title was in 1997 and it was a sweet victory as Moate regained the Flanagan Cup for the first time in 14 years, also avenging their defeat to Coralstown/Kinnegad in the previous year's final.

The final will be chiefly remembered for the scoring exploits of Moate captain Ger Heavin, whose tally of 2-7 made him the highest scorer in a Westmeath SFC final. His tally (2-4 from open play) put the All Whites attacker ahead of such luminaries as Bernard Flynn (Mullingar Shamrocks), Jim 'Jumbo' Keane (Athlone) and Donie Smyth (The Downs). The previous highest scorer was Keane, who scored 2-4 for Athlone in their victory over Moate in the 1977 final.

Moate defeated St Loman's Mullingar in their semi-final, having overcome Athlone and Tyrrellspass earlier in their championship campaign.

The Coralstown/Kinnegad team included such players as future Westmeath manager Jack Cooney, a strong midfield pairing in Phelim Leonard and Anthony Coyne and the great Larry Giles in attack.

Based on their 2-10 to 0-10 victory over Moate in the previous year's decider, Coralstown/Kinnegad were considered favourites going into the final. But a determined Moate outfit paid little heed to such a script and claimed a 2-11 to 1-9 victory at Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The old slogan 'it will be all white on the night' was one which "certainly rang true last Sunday, as the town was awash with the colours of its football team - Moate All Whites - following their clinical demolition of the defending county champions", said an article in the Westmeath Independent.

In a piece on the front page of the Westmeath Independent, it was stated that "it seemed the whole town of Moate was out" to welcome the victorious players home. "Traffic came to a standstill and the significance of Moate's victory was, there on the streets, apparent for all to see," wrote Michael Finn.

Then Moate All Whites GAA chairman Danny Cochrane was naturally thrilled with the victory and the reaction in the town.

"We were absolutely delighted with the reception we received from our supporters in Moate. They were out in their hundreds," said Danny.

"The 14 years since we last won the championship was a long wait and having been beaten in last year's final, it was great to come back and take it this year.”

The Moate team was managed by Johnny Cooney who was assisted by selectors Seamus McLoughlin and Kevin Madden.

Moate's Michael Broder, a player who represented Westmeath on many occasions, was unavailable for the final due to suspension, as was Joe Giles of Coralstown/Kinnegad.

The Moate team contained many names closely associated with football in the town. The Gillivan family, synonymous with football in Moate over the years, was represented on the team by Lar Gillivan (son of Larry Gillivan) and his first cousin Kit (son of Andy 'The Doll' Gillivan). Declan Costello, who lined out at wing-forward, is a son of Oliver Costello, a stalwart of the club. Ger Heavin's father Eamon and uncle Tommy have been avid supporters of Moate and Westmeath teams. Anthony Malone, who played at midfield, is a son of Kildare native Pat Malone, who also enjoyed senior championship success with Moate.

The team included two of Westmeath's All-Ireland winning minor team of 1995, flame-haired defender Damien Phelan and attacker John Deehan, who contributed three points on the day. The Moate team also featured Tommy McCormack who has been very involved in the Moate ladies football club in recent years, serving as club chairman.

In addition to Ger Heavin's outstanding display, Moate had heroes all over the pitch. In the report in the Westmeath Examiner and Westmeath Independent, goalkeeper Paul Ravenhill was credited for "producing two great saves in the opening half to deny Denis Greville".

At the centre of the defence, the Murray brothers, Pat and John, were lauded for playing with "controlled aggression", keeping James McCaffrey and Larry Giles scoreless in the process. Damien Phelan's "pace and good use of possession ensured a frustrating afternoon for John Fleming". Wing-backs Kevin Flanagan and Trevor Kelly "played influential roles, initiating many attacks and proving resilient defenders".

At midfield, Dermot Browne and Anthony Malone "proved a major bonus for the newly crowned champions”. The midfield duo's "work-rate, use of possession and ability to frustrate their opponents" ensured a "huge improvement from the 1996 final in this sector, with the expected midfield dominance of the red and whites never materialising".

In attack, it was felt that Moate's tactic of playing Lar Gillivan, Kit Gillivan and Declan Costello as a deep lying half-forward line "worked a treat" with the full-forward line - where Heavin was joined by John Deehan and Michael Dorrington - revelling in the extra space afforded to them. "Deehan's strength and accuracy provided a valuable outlet at corner-forward where he scored three fine points and always looked dangerous", while Dorrington "played a clever role at corner-forward".

After the game, Moate captain Ger Heavin was presented with the Flanagan Cup by Westmeath GAA chairman Seamus Ó Faoláin.

Scorers - Moate: G Heavin 2-7 (0-3 frees); J Deehan 0-3; K Gillivan 0-1. Coralstown/Kinnegad: J Fleming 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-4 frees); D Fox 0-2; M Fox, E Fleming and D Greville 0-1 each.

Moate All Whites: Paul Ravenhill; Damien Phelan, Pat Murray, Tommy McCormack; Kevin Flanagan, John Murray, Trevor Kelly; Anthony Malone, Dermot Browne; Lar Gillivan, Kit Gillivan, Declan Costello; Michael Dorrington, Ger Heavin (captain), John Deehan. Rest of panel: Michael Broder, Tommy Digan, Peter Gillivan, David Mackey, Mossie Collins, Michael Heavin, James Gillivan, Jimmy Digan, Sean Connell, Eamonn Grennan, Ray Walshe.

Coralstown/Kinnegad: Kevin Leech; Billy Cole (captain), John (Jack) Cooney, Mattie Mulligan; Colm Coyne, Martin Fox, David Kilmartin; Phelim Leonard, Anthony Coyne; Darren Fox, Larry Giles, David Flynn; Denis Greville, James McCaffrey, John Fleming. Subs used: Eamonn Fleming for P Leonard; Derek Griffin for J McCaffrey; Mick Fox for M Mulligan.

Referee: Pat Casserly (St Loman's, Mullingar). Linesmen: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh) and Terry O'Dowd (Mullingar Shamrocks).

Moate All Whites GAA officers (1997) - Patron: Fr James O'Beirne. President: Fr Michael Cremin. Chairman: Danny Cochrane. Vice Chairman: Johnny Doran. Hon. Secretary: Tom Duffy. Assistant Secretary: Liz Gillivan. Treasurer: Eamon Heavin. Registrar: Sean Heavin. Minor Board Chairman: Joe Whelan. Minor Secretary: Liam Claffey. PRO: Billy Browne.