In a keenly contested game, Castletown- Geoghegan had two points to spare over a determined Castlepollard side, in last Sunday’s Westmeath Senior Hurling Championship first round clash at Cusack Park, Mullingar.
By Damien Maher
When the sides met in last year’s semi-final, Castlepollard upset the odds and had every chance of repeating that feat for long spells, but Castletown- Geoghegan were determined to ensure that didn’t happen. With county star, Niall O’Brien in fine scoring form, the black and ambers led for most of the second half after the sides had retired level at the interval (1-6 to 0-9).
Castletown-Geoghegan’s goal proved a crucial score and it came from O’Brien, who drilled a low, angled shot past Warren Casserly after 11 minutes. By the three quarter stage Castletown had forged six points clear following an impressive start to the second half and despite a strong fight-back, Castlepollard had to settle for second best.
LOW SHOT
In what was a decent start to the championship for both sides, Niall O’Brien and Michael Murray exchanged early frees before a long-range free by Alan Devine put Castlepollard ahead. O’Brien soon equalised before a fine piece of fielding by Liam Cassidy led to the corner forward giving Castletown the lead on six minutes.
Castlepollard were winning plenty of possession and Kevin Brazil shot over from midfield to bring the sides level, but Castletown then swooped for a decisive 1-1: the point came from Eoin Quinn and was followed when O’Brien sent a low shot past Warren Casserly to the net.
It was a setback for Castlepollard, who should have cleared the danger but Tommy Gallagher lost possession at the crucial moment. Undeterred, they battled back with two points from Alan Devine (the first a fine strike from distance). An O’Brien free made it 1-5 to 0-5 at the end of the first quarter and four wides in succession didn’t help Castlepollard’s cause.
Yet when Michael Murray converted a 25th minute free, the men from north Westmeath were on level terms and they surged in front thanks to Alan Devine’s 28th minute free.
A competitive first half ended when O’Brien struck over another placed ball from 70 metres, leaving it all square at the interval.
SIX-POINT GAP
Watching Westmeath manager, Michael Ryan would have been impressed with the level of endeavour on both sides, but it was Castletown’s great start to the second half that proved a telling factor in this game. O’Brien notched an early free before Aonghus Clarke set up Cassidy for his second minor. O’Brien showed his class to puck over a terrific score from near the stand sideline: he followed that with a pointed free and with 12 minutes of the half played, Castletown led by 1-11 to 0-9.
Alan Devine pulled a point back for ‘Pollard with a good strike from a 60-metre free, but again it was O’Brien who stretched Castletown’s lead with two successful frees. With 10 minutes remaining, the gap was six points and this contest looked over, but ‘Pollard had other ideas.
Alan Devine converted a free and, after good defensive work by Gallagher, Michael Murray shot over, leaving it 1-13 to 0-12 with five minutes remaining. Alan Devine followed up with a 65-metre free and notched another from a placed ball as the fight-back gained momentum.
Warren Casserly came forward to point a 65’ in injury time, leaving just one between the teams, but O’Brien notched a vital free in the second minute of added time.
A further minute of additional time followed and Castlepollard had one last throw of the dice: substitute, Colm Dermody’s shot was blocked and John McCarthy also had stab as the ball drifted wide, much to the relief of the Castletown fans.
They say lightning does not strike twice and so it proved, but Castlepollard certainly served notice that they will be hot contenders for a place in the semi-final again this year. Castletown- Geoghegan will look at their failure to press on when six points clear, but it’s early days and they are certainly up there with the leading contenders.
SCORERS – Castletown- Geoghegan: N O’Brien 1-11 (0-9f), L Cassidy 0-2, E Quinn 0-1. Castlepollard: A Devine 0-9 (7f), M Murray 0-3 (2f), W Casserly (65’), M Egan and K Brazil 0-1 each.
CASTLETOWN- GEOGHEGAN – Paddy Maloney; David Langan, Dean McDermott, Eamon Og Clarke; David Fennell, Aonghus Clarke, Liam Varley; Joe Clarke, Michael Heeney; Eoin Quinn, Diarmuid Garvin, Niall O’Brien; David Lynch, Emmet Dalton, Liam Cassidy. Sub: Ronan Whelan for Garvin (53).
CASTLEPOLLARD – Warren Casserly; Paul Murphy, Tommy Gallagher, Jamie Ward; Martin Egan, David Higgins, Darren McCormack; Derek Murray, Kevin Brazil; Joe Rabbitte, Alan Devine, Paul Dermody; Michael Murray, John Paul Murray, John McCarthy. Subs: Ciaran Fagan for Dermody (25), Glen Flynn for Murphy (h-t), Sean Lancaster fro Egan (47), Colm Dermody for D Murray (53).
REFEREE – Mick Murtagh (Clonkill).
