Congrats and Best wishes

Congratulations to the ladies team who reached another county final. They will play Milltown in the final in Páirc Chiaráin next Saturday at 6:30 pm. We urge all supporters to come out and get behind the girls next weekend. Also congrats to the U21s who reached the county final by defeating Maryland/ Tang this week. Overall it was a brilliant week with championship wins for the Juniors, seniors, u21s and minors this week.

Senior Football Championship

GARRYCASTLE 1-12          CORALSTOWN/KINNEGAD 1-4

Garrycastle knew that only a win, coupled with favourable results elsewhere, could extend their involvement in the 2014 senior championship. They duly obliged with a well-deserved win over the team leading Section B before this weekend's games.

Garrycastle dominated the early period and almost had a goal in the 4th minute when Michael Monaghan was put through, however, he was thwarted by the Coralstown/Kinnegad goalie who saved at the expense of a 45. Unfortunately, Cathal Mullin failed to convert the 45 meter kick. Garrycastle did take the lead in the 9th minute as Dessie Dolan pointed from the right. In their next attack Garrycastle won another 45 and Alex Gardiner stepped up to point it. Another point from Dessie Dolan increased the lead as the midpoint of the half approached. Coralstown/Kinnegad registered their first score, a point from play, after Garrycastle surrendered possession, and pointed. In their next attack Coralstown/Kinnegad took the lead, against the run of play, when a slick attack opened up the Garrycastle defence and Cathal Mullin had no chance with the goal bound shot. Garrycasstle responded well to this setback and points from Alan Fox, Dessie Dolan and Eoin Monaghan restored the Garrycasrtle lead to two points by the 26th minute. Coralstown/Kinnegad had a point from play but Desie Dolan had the last say on the scoreboard with a point in first minute of added time to leave it 0-7 to 1-2 at the break.

Justin Barrett came into midfield for the start of the second half in place of James Duignan, with Matthew Guiheen moving to wing forward. They were rewarded with a goal after just two minutes, as James Dolan was able to fist a long ball into the Coralstown/Kinnegad net. Coralstown/Kinnegad had a point in reply. Alex Gardiner was shown a black card and was replaced by Ciaran O'Neill.  Garrycastle had a strong grip on midfield and created a lot of scoring opportunities. Dessie Dolan pointed two close range frees. Substitute, Gary Dolan, was on hand to point mid-way through the second period. Dessie pointed yet another free in the 51st minute. Coralstown/Kinnegad responded with a point but Mark McCallon moved forward from wing back to point in the final minute and leave it 1-12 to 1-4 at the full time whistle.

This was a mixed bag from Garrycastle, who could have won more comfortably if they had taken more of the scoring opportunities that they created throughout the hour. But they got the job done and can improve from her on and have a significant say in the knock-out stages. As this win moved them on to 6 points, the same as St Malachys, they will now meet St Malachys in a playoff next weekend to determine who advances to the quarterfinal as the third placed team in Section B. There were good performances from John Gaffey, Jack O'Donoghue and Karl Henson in defence. Aidan Browne showed up well in mid field and was well supported in the second period by substitute, Justin Barrett. Dessie Dolan was the focal point of the attack and showed no ill effect from his long lay-off due to injury, contributing almost half of his side's total.

GARRYCASTLE: Cathal Mullin, John Gaffey, Jack O'Donoghue, Alan Fox (0-1), Mark McCallon (0-1), Karl Henson, Gary McCallon, Aidan Browne, Matthew Guiheen, James Duignan, Dessie Dolan (0-7, 3f), James Dolan (1-0), Michael Monaghan, Alex Gardiner (0-1, 145) and Eoin Monaghan (0-1).

SUBS: Justin Barrett for J Duigana (half time); Ciaran O'Neill A Gardiner (35 min); Gary Dolan for M Guiheen (43 min); Enda Mulvihill for M Monaghan (53 min); Damien Rushe for E Monaghan (57 min).

Junior Championship

GARRYCASTLE 4-18,  KILLUCAN 2-6

Garrycastle consolidated their position near the top of the Junior Championship Section B table with a comprehensive win at home to Killucan on Friday evening last.

Led by captain on the day Peadar Mulvihill, due to injury to Padraig Cosgrove, the home team blizted Killucan in the opening 5 minutes. Noel Galvin was first off the mark with a point and then 2 goals in quick succession from first Conor Cosgrove and the evergreen Alan Daly were followed by a point each from the same two players to put Garrycastle 2-3 up before the visitors got their first score. A further 4 points, one from Cosgrove, two from Daly and one from Galvin increased the lead for the home team. Jonny Maguire was next to score and Enda Keena rounded off the first half with two well taken points to leave the half time score at 2-10 to 0-3.

It was to the credit of the home team that they were first off the mark in the second half with first Robbie Shine and then the always impressive Mark Curley pointing to keep the momentum from the first half performance. In fairness to Killucan they lifted their game and managed to breach the Garrycastle defence with a goal to give them some hope early in the second half. Garrycastle responded well and a pointed free by Conor Cosgrove was followed by the same player getting his second and the home team's third goal on the night. Not to be out done, Alan Daly rose to the challenge and produced his second goal as well as a further 3 points. As was the case in the first half Enda Keena got the last score for the home team which followed an earlier point from Stephen Maguire.

The visitors caught the Garrycastle defence napping at the very end with their second goal to leave the final score of 4-18 to 2-6 when Referee Declan Nugent blew the final whistle.

This was a very good team performance and an impressive scoreline with all scores save one pointed free coming from play from this Garrycastle team who will know that they will face stronger opposition as this Championship develops. Some of the attacking play and finishing was of the highest standard but players know that improvement is needed on the defensive side of their game across the pitch.

GARRYCASTLE: Shane O'Connell, Gary Mullery, John O'Shaughnessy, Ben Kennedy, Stephen McGuire, Mark Curley (0-1), Sean Carey, Johnny McGuire (0-1), Noel Galvin (0-2), Enda Keena (0-3), Conor Cosgrove (2-3, 1f), Peadar Mulvihill, Alan Daly (2-6), Robbie Shine (0-1) and Paul Mulvihill.
SUB: C. Gantley for S. Maguire, B. McCormack for E Keena, C. Murray for B. Kennedy, S. Maguire for J. Maguire. E. Keena for N. Galvin.

Under 21 Championship semi final

GARRYCASTLE 3-18, MARYLAND/TANG 1-9

Garrycastle travelled out to Tang on Tuesday last to play Maryland/Tang in the county semi-final and produced an immense display that all in the club can be very proud of.

On a lovely evening for football Garrycastle playing with the aid of a slight breeze set the tempo from the off with Justin and Eric winning the midfield battle and both forwards and defence on top. Garrycastle kicked some early scores after well worked moves that were finished off by Paul Gunning, Eoin Monoghan and Kenny Dolan.

Maryland Tang who fielded a team full of quality on the night responded in typical fashion with two quick scores before our lads responded with coolly taken scores from Eoin Monaghan and Sean Carey after a great run.

Just as the home side responded with two scores the key score in the first half came when a trademark Eoin Monaghan run saw him carry the ball through the defence and finish excellently. Garrycastle were now playing with confidence and scores followed from Eoin Michael (0-2) and Alex. The home side came back with 3 well worked scores which were followed up by a  Garrycastle response from Michael leaving the score 1-9 to 7 at half time.

Garrycastle knew that the second half playing into the breeze against a Maryland Tang team that would come out firing was going to be tough but what followed was Garrycastle team which seemed to up their performance another notch after an impressive first half. Right from the off Garrycastle got excellent scores from Justin and Jack. A Maryland Tang goal and point putting 4 between the teams had a few Garrycastle supporters worried was quickly responded to with Paul, Eoin, the deadly accurate Michael Monaghan and Alex grabbing scores. The Garrycastle defence was now in control and were excellently marshalled by Jack Donoghue and Mark Curley. Garrycastle pushed on with further scores from Alex, Eoin and  goals from Cian Hayden and Paul Gunning after well worked moves. Eoin Monoghan rounded off another great display with a score and Garrycastle were though to a county under 21 final.

It would be unfair to pick out a stand out player from this game as every player that played on the night produced a fantastic display of skill, determination and workrate. It is great for Garrycastle to be back in a major underage final. However the lads will know that the county final will require this performance and more if they are to be victorious. It is certainly an exciting time for the club and we hope everyone gets behind this team as they deserve it.

Garrycastle: Shane McEnery, Sean Gunning, Jack Donoghue (0-1), Ben Kennedy, Conor Duignan, Mark Curley, Sean Carey (0-1) , Justin Barrett (0-1), Eric Kearney (0-2), Terry Rushe, Eoin Monaghan (1-2), Michael Monaghan (0-6, 1f), Paul Gunning (1-2) , Alex Gardiner (0-3), Kenny Dolan (0-1).

Subs used: Cian Hayden (1-0), Mark Duffy, Lee McNamara, Darragh McCormack, Kevin McCormack, Liam Leahy.

Minor League Championship

GARRYCASTLE 3-12, KILBEGGAN/ST. JOSEPHS 3-8

Lotto August 18th

Numbers drawn :3,12,21 and 25

The Jackpot was won by Caroline Sheridan. Congratulations to Caroline

Sympathy

Sympathy is extended to the Sheehan and McKiernan families, Hillquarter; the McCormack/Curley families, Retreat Heights and the Rowan family, Westlodge, on their recent bereavement.

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