Price is right for Clonkill in dominant display

Castletown Geoghegan 0-14 Clonkill 1-21

Jason Keelan

A tally of 1-9 (7f) from full-forward Anthony Price helped Clonkill to a resounding victory over Castletown-Geoghegan in this Westmeath SHC clash at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday evening.

Both sides faced-off in the 2018 and 2019 county final, with Clonkill winning out by a single goal on both occasions. In the second of the double header, it was the green and yellow who came out of the traps fastest. Dara Egerton’s long-range effort was the start of the scoring for Clonkill in the opening 90 seconds.

Most notable for those in attendance was the presence of regular centre-forward Niall Mitchell operating in the defence for Clonkill. This tactic paid dividend as he excelled in picking up loose ball, delivering into the forward line and using his height to deal with the long-balls. All five of the remaining Clonkill forwards scored from play.

Castletown-Geoghegan responded to a Price point (free) with their first from Morgan Gavigan followed soon after by a Niall O’Brien placed-ball from the terrace side. The teams being level at 2 a piece was as good as it got for Alan Mangan’s charges.

Clonkill soon found the back of the net when a hanging free resulted in a scramble before a final touch from Price saw the sliotar go past Ciaran Glennon. Every response from Castletown-Geoghegan (two O’Brien frees) was matched by Clonkill (two Price frees) before Aonghus Clarke found his range from inside his own half.

A flowing move involving Egerton and Adam Loughlin ended with Jordy Smyth getting his first of three. The freedom being afforded to the Clonkill forward line was very surprising given the calibre of Castletown-Geoghegan in recent years (three senior finals in a row) and unsurprisingly, Pat O’Toole’s side had no issues taking full advantage.

Castletown-Geoghegan did have the ball in the net right before the break but referee Alfie Devine had adjudged it was a square ball, much to the disappointment of their support. Niall Dowdall then capped off a strong opening half for his side with a beautiful score off the right to put Clonkill firmly in the driving seat at the break: 1-12 to 0-4.

Words were clearly had in the dressing room as Castletown-Geoghegan tried to up the intensity early on after the restart. Six well-taken scores in the opening ten minutes of the half ensued, three for each side (a Price free, Dowdall and Luke Loughlin for Clonkill; O’Brien, Peter Clarke, and David O’Reilly in response).

Castletown-Geoghegan, however, just never looked settled. Panicked handpasses coincided with long, searching balls into a forward line which was unable to cope with the power of Ciaran Nolan, John Kenny, Peadar Scally and Mitchell, among others. Mitchell (temporary), Luke Loughlin and Aonghus Clarke all needed treatment in the subsequent minutes, with only the former returning to the field of play.

Mick Heeney found himself with a chance to score in a rare burst through the middle from Castletown-Geoghegan. His low shot was well-saved by Andrew Mitchell – the only real save he had to make all game. An exchange of frees from O’Brien and Mitchell (from well inside his own half) kept the scoreboard ticking over, which did not help Mangan’s side in their efforts to close the gap. With his side down by eight and time against them, O’Brien decided to go for goal when awarded a free outside the 21-yard line. Clonkill managed to scramble away and would end with Egerton landing his second score at the other end.

Plunkett Maxwell found Castletown-Geoghegan’s last score from play with minutes remaining. As Clonkill had done all game, they responded as quick as they could, this time substitute Michael Heffernan finding the target. Smyth, a quick-footed, assured forward put his team on the 1-20 mark with a delightful score after his spin left two defenders trailing.

It was left to the two high-scorers on the day (O’Brien and Price) to trade-off frees in additional time to bring the game to a close as the light began to grow dim.

Castletown-Geoghegan have work to do to replicate past seasons in terms of success, particularly in their marking and composure on the ball. Clonkill, in contrast, were full value for a ten-point win and will look to build on the form that saw them win a three-in-a-row not so long ago.

Scorers - Castletown Geoghegan: N O’Brien 0-7 (5f), D O’Reilly, A Clarke, J Bermingham, J Gallagher, M Plunkett, P Clarke 0-1 each. Clonkill: A Price 1-9 (7f), J Smyth 0-3, A Loughlin, N Dowdall, D Egerton 0-2 each, N Mitchell, M Heffernan, L Loughlin 0-1 each

Castletown Geoghegan: Ciaran Glennon; Conor Kane, Johnny Bermingham, Naoise McKenna; David Lynch, Liam Varley, Aaron Glennon; Mick Heeney, Plunkett Maxwell; Aonghus Clarke, Morgan Gavigan, Conor Murphy; David O’Reilly, Niall O’Brien, Jack Gallagher. Subs Used: Peter Clarke for C Murphy (27), Neal Kirby for D O’Reilly (42), Eoin Quinn for A Clarke (47).

Clonkill: Andrew Mitchell; Ciaran Nolan, John Kenny, Alan McGrath; Josh Murtagh, Peadar Scally, Dara Egerton; Shane Power, Andrew Shaw; Adam Loughlin, Niall Dowdall, Niall Mitchell; Jordy Smyth, Anthony Price, Luke Loughlin. Subs Used: Michael Heffernan for L Loughlin (45 inj), Paddy Dowdall for J Murtagh (50), Matthew Glynn for N Dowdall (54), Mickey McGrath for S Power (57), Oisin Loughlin for A Loughlin (59).

Referee: Alfie Devine (CFCW).

Match At A Glance

Player of the Match: Anthony Price was accurate from the placed ball and was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition with good running and link-up play. Honourable mention must go to Niall Mitchell – often the key scorer for club and county but playing in defence in the opening round of the championship. Certainly, looking like somebody who had been there all his career.

Key moment: The scramble which led to the Clonkill goal was the start of a run of 1-9 in just under 20 minutes and, deservedly based on the balance of play, put daylight between the sides.