ACL Division 2:  St. Malachy's 3-12;          Garrycastle 3-11

Garrycastle's second team sustained a narrow defeat in their penultimate game of this year's league campaign, and are now facing the prospect of relegation to Division 3. This was an entertaining game with both sides having periods of dominance and the outcome was in doubt to the very end. Garrycastle held a two-point lead at half time (1-8 to 1-6) but the visitors started the second half well with a point followed by a goal. Conor Cosgrove quickly restored Garrycastle's lead with his second goal of the game but within minutes Malachy's had their third goal to regain the lead. The topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued as Eoin Monaghan scored a super individual goal to put his team back in front but Malachy's responded with two quick points to regain the lead. Two more points from the Monaghan brothers and another from Malachy's had the teams level at the end of normal time but deep into injury time Malachy's won a free 30 metres from goal. Their effort at the winning point came back off the upright but they pounced on the loose ball to kick a last-gasp winner and secure two vital points that eases their own relegation worries.

This was a game that could have gone either way and Garrycastle will feel they could have secured at least a draw, but ultimately it was poor displays in previous games that has them stuck in the relegation zone. On this occasion the best performances came from Mark Curley, Justin Barrett, Neill Rattigan, Michael Monaghan, Conor Cosgrove and Eoin Monaghan.

TEAM: Mark Keenan, Gary Mullery, John O'Shaughnessy, Alan Fox, Tom McHugh, Mark Curley, Anthony Larkin (0-1), Justin Barrett, Neill Rattigan (0-1), Cathal Mannion, Ciaran O'Neill (0-3), Michael Monaghan (0-4, 1 free), Conor Cosgrove (2-0), Eoin Monaghan (1-2), Paul Gunning.

Subs: Gavin Ward for Mullery (half time); Kenny Dolan for Gunning (48 mins).

 

U12s V Athlone and Tubberclair:

The Under 12s had a busy week with games against Athlone on Wednesday and Tubberclair on Friday. As normal at this time of year we have many lads away on holidays and so we had to play both games with depleted squads. Playing Athlone in Páirc Chiaráin missing a few players was always going to be a tough task but the boys played really well in the first half to go in at the break six points up, helped by great goals from Corey Nugent, Ben Kilkenny, Stephen Gaffey and Andrew Ruane. Unfortunately, with the limited numbers we were not able to put on fresh legs and as the lads tired Athlone took control to deservedly win the game and avenge their defeat to Garrycastle earlier in the league.

The boys were determined to get back to winning ways against Tubberclair and proved much too strong for a young Tubberclair team. There were very good performances on the night from Cian McCarthy, Peter Mulvihill, Ben Donegan, Andrew Ruane, Bill Carmody, Krill Egan and Corey Nugent. Our next game is against Mullingar Shamrocks in the league at home on Wednesday 29th July.

 

Under 10: Clann na Gael/Tormey Solicitors League - Round 3:

The Garrycastle Under-10 team played Padraig Pearses from Roscommon in the third round of this year's Clann na nGael/Tormeys Solicitors Under-10 league in Garrycastle on Monday evening, 20th July. In this league, each club fields an under-10 and under-9 team in each round. On the evening, it was a very depleted Garrycastle squad which took the field, with a number of under-8 players called up so that we could field at both grades. It also meant that as we had no substitutes, all players present played a full match. Weather conditions were not great, with a strong wind blowing across the pitch, making control difficult.

In the Under-10 match, both teams started well, trading some fine scores. Garrycastle started playing against the wind, but thrived in the conditions, and except for some poor finishing at times, would have led into the break. Playing with the wind in the second half, the number of wides grew, and Padraig Pearses made better use of their possession, to run out worthy winners. Best for Garrycastle were Jack Mulvihill at full back who had an excellent game, Brian Mulvihill at midfield who was everywhere in pursuit of the ball, and forwards Oisin Nugent and Brandon Devaney who showed well for the ball and were a little unlucky with some scoring attempts.

In the Under-9 match, Garrycastle played against the wind in the first half, and put the opening score on the board thanks to Jack Allen. The next two scores went to the Pearses squad. However, from then on, the Garrycastle team took control, kicking over some lovely points from play, to take a good lead into the break. After the break, the Garrycastle team continued where they left off, and continued to rack up the scores, giving very little away. As the game ended, the Garrycastle team ran out comfortable winners. This was an excellent performance from the under-9 squad, including, as it did, three under-8 players. Every single player could justifiably take a man-of-the-match award, and the displays of high fielding, blocking, tackling and passing was first rate. So overall, honours even, with one win and one loss for each club.

Under-10 squad:

Conor McCarthy, Conor McCormack, Jack Mulvihill, Tom Daly, Brian Mulvihill, Diarmaid Murtagh, Conor Sheehan, Kealan Ryan-McIntyre, Oisin Nugent, Brandon Devaney.

Under-9 squad:

Nathan McKeon, Rian Gaynor, Killian Keegan, Anthony Mannion, Jack Allen, Tom Sheehan, Kyle Greene, James McHugh, David Carter, Aaron Keegan, Dervla Turley.

Under 10 League Blitz in Castledaly:

The Garrycastle Under-10 squad played in Round 7 of the Westmeath Under-10 league which was run off as a blitz evening in Castledaly on Tuesday evening. Due to Summer holidays, we had a very depleted squad, with only 17 players available, including some under-8 players called up to ensure we could field. Even so, we fielded 2 teams, playing at 8 or 9-a-side. The Garrycastle "Red" team, (playing at 8-a-side), played against the Caulry-1 and Caulry-2 teams in their two matches. Both matches were characterised by some excellent play from the Garrycastle lads, with great performances from all the players present. Some excellent defensive work by Jack Mulvihill and Killian Keegan, in front of the impressive Nathan McKeon in goals, provided the springboard for the midfield of Conor Sheehan and Brian Mulvihill to control the game. Up front, the industrious and very busy David Carter led the line, and picked off some fine scores, ably supported by Kealan Ryan-McIntyre and Tom Daly, both of whom chipped in with important scores when needed. On the evening, the "Red" team was a little too strong for their opponents, and won both games.

The Garrycastle "Green" team had a harder opening match against a strong Moate All-Whites team. The midfield pairing of Diarmaid Murtagh and Tom Sheehan had to battle hard for possession, and the backline of Anthony Mannion, Rian Gaynor and Oisin Nugent found themselves fighting a rearguard battle to handle the Moate forwards.  In the second half, the "Green" team upped their game considerably, and took the game to Moate, with some excellent scores from Jack Allen and Aaron Keegan, and some fine support play in setting up chances from Dervla Turley. Even though they outscored Moate in the second half, Moate still claimed the victory in the overall match. In their second match, they came up against a skillful Castledaly side, and the exertions from the previous match started to take its toll as energy waned, However, even though the Garrycastle team battled bravely to the end, they had to yield to Castledaly on this occasion.

Overall, a good evening's football, and allowing for the small number of players available, and the fact they all played in the Clann na nGael tournament the night before, this was an encouraging performance.

Squad:

"Red" Team : Nathan McKeon, Jack Mulvihill, Tom Daly, Conor Sheehan, Killian Keegan, Brian Mulvihill, Kealan Ryan-McIntyre, David Carter.

"Green" Team: Conor McCarthy, Anthony Mannion, Jack Allen, Tom Sheehan, Rian Gaynor, Aaron Keegan, Oisin Nugent, Dervla Turley, Diarmaid Murtagh.

 

Lotto news:

There was no jackpot winner last week when numbers drawn were 10, 11, 21 and 25. Shane Henson (c/o John Henson) was the only match-3 winner. Jackpot for this week is €7,500.

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