1999

WESTMEATH UNDER 12 “B” FOOTBALL FINAL 1999

MARYLAND/TANG TAKE TITLE

SECOND HALF GOAL RUSH SINKS GALLANT ROCHFORTBRIDGE

MARYLAND/TANG…………………..4 – 6

ROCHFORTBRIGDE…………………..1 – 4

Heavy overnight rain, which left conditions slightly slippery at the splendidly situated Tyrrellspass venue on Saturday morning last, failed to affect the excellent standard of football served up by these young teams from the Maryland/Tang and Rochfortbrigde clubs. With the ‘ Bridge side recovering from a three pt deficit to leave the half-time score level, three killer goals by the Maryland/Tang team between the third and seventh mins of the second half turned the scales in favour of the Drumraney parish side. The green jerseyed brigade, however refused to capitulate, and it took three top class saves by Maryland/Tang’s brilliant young goalkeeper, Thomas Moran, to prevent the ‘Bridge’ making it a grand stand finish.

Plenty of evidence existed in and around Tyrrellspass of their forthcoming appearance in the S.F.C. Final against Athlone, with flags and bunting in abundance.

Saturday, however was the young players day, and the large crowd present were entertained to a game of everything that is good in football, clean catching, effective marking, blocking, brilliant defending and some top class scores. As County Board Registrar Ger Kenny said afterwards at the presentation, it augers greatly for the future in the Lake County, with many of Saturday’s players one day wearing the maroon of their native county. This competition 13-a-side in neighbouring Offaly, is played 15-a-side in Westmeath, with 25 mins per half.

HOW THEY PLAYED.

For Maryland/Tang, goalie Thomas Moran was outstanding. His second half display in keeping his goal intact was top class. Conor Lynn and Lorraine Farrell were effective in the full-back line, with team captain John Reilly turning a “man of the match” performance at left-half back and leading his colleagues by example at all times. Centre-back Michael Galvin was also prominent, particularly in the second half. Thomas McCormack, at midfield, was in top form, being very successful from placed balls, plus his second half goal being expertly taken. Up front full forward Robert English was practically unbeatable in the opening half, accumulating 1-2 of his sides score by the interval, and he was equally effective when moved out field in the second half, bagging a further goal to emerge his side’s top scorer at 2-2. He received most support from half forwards Ciara McCormack and Tara Reynolds, with Donovan Hermbusche also getting in some good work at No. 10.The full time margin of eleven pts did not do justice to the gallant effort of St. Mary’s over the hour.

SCORING

An early Robert English Maryland/Tang goal, scored after 3 mins when he secured possession following a “45”, received a perfect response from the ’Bridge’ 7 mins later when John McNamara shot to the net. Robert was causing major problems in St Mary’s defence and pointed on 12 mins, followed by a Tom McCormack pointed free half a min later, and Robert again pointed from play for Maryland/Tang. Aaron Gavin was excelling at this stage for the ‘Bridge’ and Maryland/Tang were coming under increasing pressure. Thomas Moran made a fine save, but then St Mary’s had their best spell. Kieran Geraghty pointed a 20 min free and midfielder John McNamara added another in the 23rd min. On the stroke of half time, Kieran Geraghty equalised with a fine pt to leave the score Maryland/Tang 1-3; St Mary’s 1-3.

SECOND HALF

Maryland/Tang Goalie Thomas Moran made a fine save from St Mary’s Brendan Brady, but Robert English shot to the net after 3 mins to give Maryland/Tang a lead they never subsequently to relinquish. Midfielder Thomas McCormack pointed a free a min later and when the same player finished to the net (5mins), followed 2 mins later by a fine Ciara McCormack goal after a solo run, the situation had altered dramatically in favour of the Maryland/Tang team. John McNamara had the ‘Bridges’ last score. A pt, but then came a series of fine saves by the Maryland/Tang goalie as already described. To their credit, the ‘Bridge ‘side refused to give in, but were denied goals by Maryland/Tang’s rearguard. The last two pts of the game went to the Maryland/Tang side, scored by Tara Reynolds and Ciara McManus.

Team; Thomas Moran, Lorraine Farrell, Conor Lynn, John Salmon, Gearoid Cleary, Michael Galvin, John Reilly (Capt), Niall Bannon, Thomas McCormack(1-2), Donovan Hermbusche, Ciara McCormack(0-1), Tara Reynolds(0-1), Colm Mackey, Robert English(2-2), Eoin Cunningham; subs Shane Reynolds, Kevin Flanagan, Conor Egan, Graham Coughlan.

1999 MINOR WESTMEATH CHAMPIONSHIP

SHANNON GAELS………………….1 – 11

GARRYCASTLE……………………..1 – 8

In a closely fought, well contested and very entertaining match, Shannon Gaels won the Westmeath Minor Championship crown at Cusack Park, Mullingar, on September 20th when they just got the better of a plucky and determined Garrycastle team.

Over the hour the teams were level on no fewer than five times in the first half and twice in the second half. As the game reached the closing mins and a draw looking likely, a dramatic ending transpired. Garrycastle in a sweeping movement were through the opposing defence but the parting shot rebounded off the woodwork and back into play. Play swept down to the other end and there the ball was driven into the net for a late winning score.

It was a stunning reversal for Garrycastle, but that is often how games are won and lost. Shannon Gaels were alert to grasp the chance when the ball rebounded from the Garrycastle scoring effort, and they countered swiftly and effectively to catch the opposing defence off guard and snatch that dramatic winning goal. At the end of the game, the captain of the Shannon Gaels team, Fergal Wilson was presented with the Championship trophy by Michael McHugh, Chairman of the Westmeath Minor Board.

The slight breeze favoured Shannon Gaels in the first half. A free to Garrycastle, taken by James Duignan rebounded off the post and was sent wide by Michael Nugent, as the first scoring attempt was made in the opening min. Jamie Farrell intercepted further Garrycastle pressure, but they came back and a 35m free was this time pointed by James Duignan to open the scoring in the 4th min.

Wides were kicked by both sides before Alan Higgins set up Fergal Wilson for a pt. Shannon Gaels edged in front when a free conceded on Fergal Wilson was pointed by Alan Higgins. Garrycastle levelled the score when a movement started in their defence by Colman Gantly and carried on by Dermot Nugent, Martin Mulvihill and James Duignan, was finished over the bar by Cathal Murray, for a brilliant contrived score, and a finish to match. A free conceded on Denis Bannon was once again punished by Alan Higgins. Paul Brennan replied with a 45m free before another sweeping movement by Garrycastle was again finished by Paul Brennan. Fergal Wilson levelled from a free for the fourth time. In the 23rd min Garrycastle had the first goal. It came when a centre from the right by Cathal Murray was finished to the net by Michael Nugent.

Shannon Gaels made a resounding response and shot over three pts in the space of 4mins courtesy of Fergal Wilson (2) and Alan Higgins. In injury time Garrycastle edged in front when Damien Rushe pointed after a goal mouth scramble to lead 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval.

For the restart of play Vincent Browne came on for Shannon Gaels to replace John Harte. James Duignan pointed to add to Garrycastle’s lead. Shannon Gaels were not letting he game slip and replied with a Fergal Wilson pt. Play was now keenly contested and in the 51st min Shannon Gaels snatched the lead when Alan Higgins collected the ball from the sideline and placed Thomas Doogan to send over the bar.

Garrycastle came again to level the game for the seventh time , when Adrian Hanley pointed- - their last score of the game. There were now 8mins of normal time remaining left to play as Kevin Connaughton, Shannon Gaels was sent off. In rising excitement as both teams strove for the winning score, it was Garrycastle who looked like doing so when they moved forward, with Sean O’Donoghue hitting the post with a scoring effort and the ball was cleared. As Shannon Gaels countered Dermot Bannon placed Alan Higgins, who collected neatly and made no mistake as he drove the ball to the net in the 59th min.

In injury Garrycastle had the ball in the net but a “square” ball was ruled and the score was not allowed. Alan Higgins dropped back to make a good interception, and the final whistle saw the score Shannon Gaels 1 - 11, Garrycastle 1 – 8. Team: Eoin Farrell, Kevin Connaughton(T), Joe Conlon, Colm Moran, William Smith, Dermot Bannon, Kevin Doogan(T), Jamie Farrell(T), John Harte, Ian Rex(T), Fergal Wilson(Capt,T), Dennis Bannon, Thomas Doogan(T), Alan Higgins, Patrick Murphy. Subs:Vin