Moran earns Maryland a draw as last gasp point denies Castledaly

Shay Murtagh Westmeath SFC Quarter-Finals Castledaly 1-10 Maryland 1-10 Inspired in added-time by returning star forward Callum McCormack, gutsy Maryland eked out a draw in this Westmeath SFC quarter-final at Cusack Park last Sunday evening - with pre-match favourites Castledaly unable to close out a contest they appeared to have had wrapped up in normal time. In truth, McCormack's departure from the fray with concussion in the 15th minute appeared to have scuppered the blue and whites' chances of making the penultimate round of the Flanagan Cup. However, his return in the 50th minute definitely added spice to the Maryland attack where livewire corner forward Ronan Moran had taken on the mantle of scorer-in-chief in the Westmeath star's absence. Indeed, it was fitting that the former should set up the latter for the equalising score in third minute of added-time. For his part, Derek Heavin will be disappointed that his troops did not seal their expected win first time out, and it's all to play for when the sides meet again in what will surely be another close-run contest for the right to face Garrycastle in the semi-final. Castledaly raced into an early lead courtesy of a point apiece from Alan Stone (a left-footed free from 20 metres) and Lorcan Dolan (a great finish after a clever turn). In the sixth minute, Callum McCormack produced a piece of sublime skill at the other end but the move ultimately came to nothing. However, Maryland were on level terms by 12th minute with points from David Martin (a 25-metre free) and Ronan Moran (a fabulous score from a tight angle). The end-to-end action continued with Thomas Moran holding Liam Fitzpatrick's long-range shot, but the gold and greens went ahead within seconds when Gordon Duffy (who had a terrific game at midfield) pointed from 30 metres. Maryland spurned two difficult chances before fine work by substitute Tom Browne and Kenny Kincaid enabled Ronan Moran to shoot a delightful left-footed point from 25 metres. Niall Duffy restored Castledaly's advantage in the 23rd minute (albeit there was a suspicion of a 'throw ball' in the build-up) and Paul Kelly doubled this advantage within a minute with a lovely score from an acute angle. At the other end, Anthony Reynolds' goal attempt was deflected over the endline at the expense of an unconverted '45' from the boot of Kieran Martin. The same player quickly made amends with a tremendous point from 45 metres. The versatile Westmeath player was also the centre of attention moments later when he appeared to be fouled as he headed goalward but the referee deemed otherwise and awarded a free out, much to the annoyance of the Maryland fans. In the last minute of normal time, Alan Stone doubled Castledaly's lead from a 45-metre free and, while Brendan Kelly hit a poor wide in added-time, his team still led Maryland by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. Loose defensive play from Castledaly within a minute of the restart resulted in a tonic goal for Finbar Egan's troops when Ronan Moran bundled the ball home at the end of what looked like an attempt at a point by Tom Browne. Both sides missed scoreable opportunities before Castledaly regained the lead with points from Brendan Kelly (following a quickly-taken free) and Lorcan Dolan (a classy score from near the stand sideline after receiving M.J. McLoughlin's pass). They should have increased this advantage in the 41st minute but Paul Kelly was wide from a gilt-edged goal chance when the ball fell kindly for him after Brendan Kelly's initial shot was blocked down. Maryland levelled the contest a minute later, Anthony Reynolds pointing from 25 metres. The strong-running Kieran Martin then had a shot parried by Justin Coughlan after a fine solo run. Just entering the last quarter, Brendan Kelly tapped over a free and, shortly afterwards, he turned provider when he teed up Paul Kelly who plucked the ball out of the air with aplomb before swivelling and rifling home a great shot to the net. Substitute Niall O'Neill then brought out a good save from Thomas Moran before the returning Callum McCormack made an immediate impact when he kicked two points in as many minutes - a great score from play and a 25-metre free. Castledaly proceeded to miss three opportunities, but Alan Stone was less wasteful in the 60th minute when he rounded off a sweeping move with a well-taken point. This looked like it had secured a penultimate round place for the 2008 champions, but Maryland refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded with three unanswered points in injury-time from Kieran Martin (a 35-metre free), a flicked effort from Tom Browne (at the end of a Callum McCormack free) and a last-gasp equaliser from Ronan Moran (at the end of a patient Callum McCormack-inspired move). Scorers - Castledaly: P Kelly 1-1, A Stone 0-3 (2f), B Kelly (1f) and L Dolan 0-2 each, G Duffy and N Duffy 0-1 each. Maryland: R Farrell 1-3, K Martin (1f) and C McCormack (1f) 0-2 each, D Martin (f), A Reynolds and T Browne 0-1 each. Castledaly: Justin Coughlan; Michael Gavin, John Warburton, Ciaran Henson; Enda Kelly, Tommy Warburton, Liam Fitzpatrick; Patrick Holloway, Gordon Duffy; Niall Duffy, M.J. McLoughlin, Brendan Kelly; Lorcan Dolan, Alan Stone, Paul Kelly. Subs used: Niall O'Neill for McLoughlin (41), Adrian Kelly for Fitzpatrick (59). Maryland: Thomas Moran; Bryan O'Donohoe, Conor Farrell, Trevor Farrell; Christopher Grimes, Kieran Martin, Darren Malynn; Liam Reilly, David Martin; James Reynolds, David Reynolds, Kenny Kincaid; Anthony Reynolds, Callum McCormack, Ronan Moran. Subs used: Tom Browne for McCormack (inj., 15), Ronan Farrell for J. Reynolds (41), James Reynolds for O'Donohoe (47), Callum McCormack for D. Martin (50). Referee: Shane Farrell (Ballynacargy).