Leinster club SFC: Dolan delivers again for Garrycastle

November 09, 2014

Garrycastle's Dessie Dolan gets in his pass despite the efforts of Joe McCormack (Killoe Emmet Og) during the Leinster Club SFC game at Cusack Park. Pic courtesy of Daniel Boyce Photography

Garrycastle (Westmeath) 1-11

Killoe Emmet Og (Longford) 1-10

Dessie Dolan's late point was the difference between midland rivals Garrycastle and Killoe in a hard-fought Leinster club SFC quarter-final at Cusack Park.

The former All Star pulled the strings once again as the 2012 All-Ireland finalists qualified for a provincial semi-final against All-Ireland champions St. Vincent's on Sunday, November 23. Mickey Quinn had a late chance from a 46-metre free to force extra-time, but his kick tailed wide and the Westmeath kingpins held on for the narrowest of victories.

The Connolly Cup holders got off to the best possible start when Paddy Thompson netted after only two minutes. But Dolan had Garrycastle level, 0-4 o 1-1, at the end of the opening quarter as Killoe lost Cian Farrelly to a black card.

Two quick points edged Garrycastle in front for the first time before a Denis McGoldrick free ensured Killoe of parity at the break, 1-4 to 0-7. 

The Longford men looked set for victory when Ronan McGoldrick and Simon Kiernan put them two points up, but Garrycastle then regained the lead when Dolan set up Mark McCallon for a goal, 1-8 to 1-7.

The Athlone side extended their advantage before Killoe fought back to level again with points from McGoldrick (free) and Mickey Quinn. Garrycastle had Damien Rushe black-carded, but cometh the hour, cometh the man as Dolan landed the score of the game to give them the win.

Garrycastle - C Mullin; M McCallion (1-0), J Donoghue, A Fox; K Henson, J Gaffey, G McCallion (0-1); J Barrett, A Browne; G Dolan, D Dolan (0-5, 2f), M Guiheen, C Cosgrove (0-1), A Gardiner, J Dolan (0-1). Subs: M Monaghan (0-2, 1f) for M Guiheen, D Rushe for C Cosgrove, J Duignan (0-1) for A Gardiner, S O'Donoghue for D Rushe (BC).

Killoe Emmet Og - S Coy; C Farrelly, D Bennett, D Keogh; S Dowd, J McCormack, M Quinn (0-2); P Thompson (1-0), S Kieran; D McGoldrick (0-4, 3f), R Keogh, E Clarke; L Moran (0-1), S McCormack (0-1f), M Hughes. Subs: R McGoldrick (0-2) for C Farrelly (BC), P Kiernan for E Clarke, L Hughes for L Moran.

Referee - F Smyth.


Most Read Stories