CASTLEPOLLARD 2-9
LOUGH LENE GAELS 0-7
BY DAMIEN MAHER
The bragging rights lie with Castlepollard this week after a richly deserved derby victory over neighbours, Lough Lene Gaels, in the Senior Hurling Championship at rain-soaked Cusack Park last Saturday evening.
Alan Devine and substi- tute Michael Murray grabbed the two crucial goals in an eight-point vic- tory and in truth, there was never any doubt about the outcome of this game. Lough Lene Gaels lost the services of centre forward, Mark McNicholas through injury after nine minutes and it was a big blow; they struggled in attack there- after and just five scores from play tells its own story.
At half-time the sides were level (1-3 to 0-6) after Castlepollard got the best possible start: Warren Williams flighted a deliv- ery towards goal and Alan Devine stuck out the hurl to guide the ball past Brian Conaty with only 15 sec- onds played.
Conditions were dreadful for hurling and both sides struggled; Donal Devine made a vital save to deny Warren Williams a goal 12 minutes into the second half and that was Lough Lene Gaels’ best chance to turn things around. Mur- ray grabbed the crucial sec- ond goal in the 50th minute when he finished from close-range after Alan Devine’s shot was saved by the luckless Conaty.
MORE ALERT
On a dull, dreary evening, more akin to autumn than summer, Devine’s early goal gave the Castlepollard supporters something to cheer about only moments after referee Feichin Bren- nan had thrown in the slio- tar. The Collinstown men hit back immediately with a point from Darragh
McCormack, while Dan Carty shot over from 50 metres to leave just a point between these fierce rivals.
It was all square after 10 minutes thanks to Micheál Daly’s point, which came after Tommy Gallagher produced a fine block to deny Carty. Conaty’s save from Casserly gave ‘Pollard a 65’ from which Casserly’s short pass found the elu- sive Alan Devine, who shot over. That happened fre- quently and the Lough Lene Gaels defence ought to have been more alert to the obvious tactic.
A carty free levelled the match again on 22 minutes and there was nothing spared in some tough phys- ical exchanges. An obvious point by John McCarthy was initially signalled wide, but good communica- tion by the match officials ensured the correct deci- sion was reached and the point was awarded, putting Castlepollard ahead.
Michael Walsh hit back with a point and the Gaels went ahead for the only time on 29 minutes when Derek McNicholas shot over. But an injury-time point by Darren McCor- mack left the sides on level terms as they headed for the dressing room.
DARTING RUN
The early second half exchanges had a crucial bearing on the outcome of this game: ‘Pollard pushed ahead when Alan Devine shot over and the same player soon converted a free after he was impeded. The Gaels had a good goal chance when Williams cut in and took a shot, but Donal Devine was equal to it and when Alan Devine slotted over a free on 45 minutes, it was 1-6 to 0-6 in ‘Pollard’s favour.
Carty converted a free to ensure the Gaels remained in touch, but the game was decided on 49 minutes when Michael Murray
goaled for Castlepollard. It came after a searing run by Alan Devine, whose shot was well saved by Conaty; Murray was well placed, though and in a flash he caught the ball and fin- ished to the net.
An Alan Devine free fol- lowed to make it 2-7 to 0-7 and with five minutes remaining, this contest was decided. Darren McCormack went for goal after a darting run, but his shot was saved by Conaty and the 65’ was converted by Casserly. Alan Devine wrapped up a decisive vic- tory when he shot over a free three minutes into injury time.
It wasn’t a derby match for the ages, but Castlepol- lard won’t mind as they sit pretty in third place; Lough Lene Gaels, in sixth, have work to do.
SCORERS – Castlepollard: A Devine 1-6 (0-3f), M Murray 1-0, W Casserly (65’), D McCormack and J McCarthy 0-1 each. Lough Lene Gaels: D Carty 0-3 (2f), M Daly, D McCormack, D McNi- cholas and M Walsh 0-1 each.
CASTLEPOLLARD – Donal Devine; Sean Lancaster, Paul Murphy, Colm Dermody; Martin Egan, Tommy Gallagher, David Higgins; Warren Casserly, Kevin Brazil; Darren McCormack, Shane Egan, Derek Murray; Alan Devine, John Paul Murray, John McCarthy. Sub: Michael Murray for JP Murray (47).
LOUGH LENE GAES – Brian Conaty; Derek Healy, Brendan Doyle, Seamus Carroll; Francis Kennedy, Micheál Daly, Fergal Moran; Michael Walsh, John Egan; Dan Carty, Mark McNi- cholas, Darragh McCormack; Noel Conaty, Derek McNicholas, Warren Williams. Subs: James Boyle for M McNicholas (inj, 9), Stephen Bardon for Egan (37), John Molloy for Williams (50).
REFEREE – Feichin Brennan (Crookedwood).
