Íarmhí abú:

Best wishes to the Westmeath team as they take on The Dubs in Croke Park in Sunday's Leinster final.

ACL Division 1:  Garrycastle 2-11;  Athlone 0-8

This second win for the senior team in five days lifts them into the top half of the table and secures their Division 1 status with one game still to play. On a pleasant Friday evening in Garrycastle, a minute's respectful silence was observed before the game in memory of the late Eileen Molloy of Altown, and of Larry and Martina Hayes of Westlodge. The home team started well with two good points from Matthew Guiheen and a pointed free by Conor Cosgrove. Athlone cut the deficit to two points but then Garrycastle enjoyed a dominant spell, kicking four unanswered points from play and missing several good opportunities into the bargain. Athlone finished the half well with two points and were well in the hunt as they turned over with the stiff wind at their backs. When they converted two frees after the break the margin was down to two points and a tight finish looked likely. However, Garrycastle restored their four point lead with two quick points, the first from centre back Karl Henson, who then set up his half back colleague Gary McCallon for a fisted score. The game's decisive score followed when Matthew Guiheen got through for a goal, and when Alex Gardiner and Michael Monaghan added points there was no way back for Athlone. They did manage to reduce the margin to six points before the game's best score arrived in the final minute. Karl Henson fought well to win possession in defence and initiated a swift counter-attack which culminated in Conor Cosgrove blasting the ball to the net to finish the scoring. With both sides short several regulars, Garrycastle's greater experience in key positions proved crucial, and competition for starting places should be very keen when championship action resumes.

Team: Cathal Mullin, Mark McCallon, John Gaffey (0-1), Tom McHugh, Doran Harte, Karl Henson (0-1), Gary McCallon (0-1), Aidan Browne, Neill Rattigan, Ciaran O'Neill (0-1), James Duignan, Matthew Guiheen (1-2), Conor Cosgrove (1-1, 1 free), Alex Gardiner (0-3), Damien Rushe.

Subs: Michael Monaghan (0-1) for O'Neill (42 mins); Seanie O'Donoghue for McHugh (51 mins) and Gavin Ward for Guiheen (56 mins). 

 

ACL Division 2:  Rosemount 1-13; Garrycastle 0-9

Garrycastle's second team slumped to another defeat in O'Growney Park last Saturday evening and are now in grave danger of relegation to Division 3 after a very disappointing campaign. A lack of belief and commitment was all too evident in this performance, and a depleted home team always looked likely winners. After trailing by 1-6 to 0-3 at half time, Garrycastle enjoyed their best spell midway through the second half when they reduced the gap to four points but the goal they needed proved elusive. Eventually Rosemount regained control and ran out comfortable winners in the end. Credit must be given to two of Garrycastle's better players on the night, Tom McHugh and Damien Rushe, who were both playing their second game in 24 hours. John O'Shaughnessy, Mark Curley, Gavin Ward and Michael Monaghan also impressed, while Eoin Monaghan made a welcome return after a long absence and showed in his time on the pitch how badly he has been missed.

Team: Mark Keenan, Gary Mullery, John O'Shaughnessy, Tom McHugh, Gavin Ward (0-1), Mark Curley, Anthony Larkin, Ciaran O'Neill, Noel Galvin, Peadar Mulvihill (0-1), Damien Rushe (0-1), Michael Monaghan (0-2), Paul Gunning (0-1), Robbie Shine (0-2, 1 free), Cathal Mannion.

Subs: Bill Kelly for Galvin (injured, 20 mins); Eoin Monaghan (0-1) for Mulvihill.

Under 10:

Garrycastle Under-10's opened their campaign in this year's Clann na nGael/Tormeys Solicitors league with an away fixture to Tubberclair. On the evening, we had a much reduced number of players available, so two matches were played at 9-a-side. The Garrycastle "Red" team, comprising the older players started slowly, and soon found themselves down by a couple of points. However, driven on by Brian Mulvihill and Conn O'Hara, they worked their way back into the game, and went in at the half-time break down by the narrowest of margins. Tubberclair started the second half strongly, and opened up the lead again, but the Garrycastle team dug in and aided by some great scores from the industrious Thanh McCay and Jamie Carroll, eventually took the lead, to win out the match by a single score.

The Garrycastle "Green" team, started at speed, and except for some wayward shooting, would have had a handsome lead. Tubberclair were more clinical in their shooting, and opened up a slender lead, which was pegged back by two fine points from Jack Allen. Further points from David Carter, Tom Sheehan and Jack left the Garrycastle team trailing by just two points at the break. However, in the second half, nothing worked for the Garrycastle team, and try as they might, they could not break down a determined Tubberclair rearguard, and were caught repeatedly on the counter attack, giving up a lot of easy scores. Tubberclair ran out comfortable winners of this match. So, overall, honours even on the evening, and a reasonable start to the campaign.

Squads on the evening:

"Red" team: Conor McCarthy, Killian Keegan, Jack Mulvihill, Conn O'Hara, Brian Mulvihill, Jamie Carroll, Thanh McCay, Nathan Jackson, Matthew Conner, Kealan Ryan-McIntyre.

"Green" team: Dean Grehan, Anthony Mannion, Nathan McKeon, Tom Daly, Brandon Devaney, Tom Sheehan, David Carter, Jack Allen, Jazmen Rafiz, Nathan Kelly.

 

Minor: Garrycastle 4-7;         Ballycomoyle 1-7

The Garrycastle minors secured their first win of the league with a well-deserved win over Ballycomoyle in Garrycastle last Wednesday evening. A heavy shower just before throw-in made the playing surface very greasy and the opening exchanges saw players from both sides struggle to keep their feet and numerous handling errors. However, it helped to contribute to an exciting and open game of football. Garrycastle got a perfect start when a slick attack involving several players put Cathal Mannion clear on goal and he made no mistake to raise the game's first green flag in the 2nd minute. Ballycomoyle responded with appoint from play and indeed had a good goal opportunity which was thwarted by some good defending by the Garrycastle lads. Bill Kelly pointed soon after to stretch his side's lead. A second Garrycastle goal came mid-way through the half when Brian Ruane was on hand to finish to the net. At this stage Garrycastle were playing with great confidence and this was amplified when Ronan Mulvihill chipped in with his side's third goal to put Garrycastle all of 3 goals to the good. Ballycomoyle had a point from a free but Ross Mulvihill pointed for Garrycastle, also from a placed ball. Cathal Mannion had another pointed free as the break approached, but there was sufficient time for Ballycomoyle to get a point from play and leave it 3-3 to 0-3 at the break.

On the resumption Cathal Mannion had a point from a free. Ballycomoyle broke forward and a dangerous attack resulted in a foul by a Garrycastle defender in the large square, which was correctly punished by the award of a penalty. However, Shane McEnery stood tall and made a fine save from the penalty kick to maintain his side's advantage. Ballycomoyle had their best period of the game now and hit over a point. A goal soon followed for the visitors and when they hit two more points in the next 5 minutes the gap was reduced to just four points with plenty of time remaining. Garrycastle steadied and two points, the first from a Ross Mulvihill free and the second from play by Cathal Mannion left six between the sides. Garrycastle were awarded a penalty when Ronan Mulvihill was fouled close to goal and Cathal Mannion struck hit shot firmly to the net. Ballycomoyle fought hard to get back into the game but apart from an injury time pointed free, they could not breach the Garrycastle defence. There was just enough time for substitute, Ian Carroll, to hit over a point in the closing minutes, to leave it 4-7 to 1-7 at the finish. This was a somewhat patchy performance but the lads will take great confidence from the win. Shane McEnery was solid in goal and made an important penalty save early in the second period. Brian Leahy, Loic Gately and Jack Brody defended well throughout. Bill Kelly was prominent in mid-field. Cathal Mannion and Ronan Mulvihill gave the Ballycomoyle defence a trying time of it and there were also telling contributions from substitutes, Philip Monaghan and Ian Carroll.

Garrycastle: Shane McEnery, Brian Leahy, Tiernan Dixon, Sean Mulvihill, Loic Gatley, Jack Brody, Bill Kelly (0-1), Conor Mulvihill, Ross Mulvihill (0-2, 2f), Cathal Mannion (2-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2f), Ronan Mulvihill (1-0), Eoin Duignan and Brian Ruane (1-0).

Subs: Philip Monaghan for Conor Mulvihill (Half time); Jack O'Connor for Eoin Duignan (43 min); Conor Mulvihill for T Dixon (47 min); Ian Carroll (0-1) for B Ruane (50 min).

 

Bag pack:

Our thanks to all who helped in the club's recent successful bag pack, and especially to Pat Devlin who organised and co-ordinated the event.

Lotto news:

Numbers drawn last week were 1, 16, 18 and 21. The jackpot wasn't won, and match-3 prizes went to Conor Cosgrove, Moydrum and Katherine Cummins, c/o The Olive. The jackpot for this week's draw was €7,050.

 

Sympathy:

The club extends sympathy to the following families on their recent bereavements: Reilly (Moydrum), Roughneen (Arcadia) and Flynn (Bonavalley).

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