Fourth time lucky as Castledaly win the Flanagan Cup

Castledaly finally landed the biggest prize in Westmeath club football in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon last, winning the senior football title for the first time in their history with a thoroughly deserved two-point victory over pre-match favourites, Garrycastle, in a sporting and entertaining county final.A crowd of around 4,100 people turned up at Westmeath GAA headquarters to see if Castledaly could eventually shake off the dreaded bridesmaids" tag which has dogged them this decade, following three losing appearances (excluding a replay) in Flanagan Cup deciders.Very fortunate to make the knockout stages (as sportingly acknowledged in his cup acceptance speech by team captain, James Galvin), the men in yellow and green made the most of their good fortune and their intense hunger was very evident all through last Sunday"s decider.However, it was not just hunger which swung the contest Castledaly"s way. They were far more economical in front of the posts than their highly-vaunted opponents (a first-half wide count of 8-0 in Garrycastle"s "favour" being particularly significant); they had an ultra-reliable goalkeeper when called on in James Kinahan; they managed to superbly police the losers" danger man, Des Dolan (fellow inter-county star, Derek Heavin taking most of the plaudits in this regard) and, in the official "Ber Murtagh man-of-the-match", Enda Kelly, they had a tigerish wing back who had the game of his life when most needed.Conditions were ideal for football at a resplendent Cusack Park, a lucky break given all the recent awful weather. Ironically, the general consensus was that this would suit Garrycastle, but it was Padraig Farrell"s charges who held most of the aces in a game in which they were never led. Indeed, Castledaly went in front with only 65 seconds elapsed, Derek Heavin and James Galvin combining to set up Niall Duffy for a well-taken point. Some two minutes later, Des Dolan shot narrowly wide after receiving the ball from a quickly-taken Paul Dillon free. After a brief delay while two Garrycastle players - Aidan Browne and Gary Dolan - received medical attention, their team-mates Paul Dillon and Stephen O"Reilly shot bad wides. However, in the ninth minute, what appeared to be another wild effort by Dillon fell nicely for Rory McGowan who neatly curled over Garrycastle"s opening score.Scores were at a premium but Castledaly managed two in a minute just before the midpoint of the half, a fine point on the turn from Michael Duffy being followed by a trademark surge from defence by Derek Heavin who duly slotted over an inspirational point. At the other end, Des Dolan was wide from long range but his side was on level terms by the 16th minute, a brace of points in quick succession from Aidan Browne (the midfielder having actually started the move also) and a lovely left-footed effort from Paul Dillon (following good play from Doran Harte) leaving the sides tied at 0-3 apiece.Garrycastle then spurned a chance to go ahead, Paddy Mulvihill"s shot failing to trouble James Kinihan, before the winners found their shooting boots again, corner forward Brendan Kelly notching two tidy points in the 18th and 20th minutes, at the end of patient Castledaly moves, the second commencing with a great catch by Gordon Duffy. The men in green and red continued to be wasteful, whereas the champions-elect were far less profligate and they led by double scores in the 23rd minute, Paul Kelly taking an astute pass from James Galvin and rifling over a classy point.However, that was to prove to be Castledaly"s last score of the first moiety. Some three minutes from the end of normal time, Des Dolan reminded spectators of just how brilliant he can be when he, for once, got the better of Derek Heavin and curled over a sublime point. The latter player was then forced to concede a "45" under pressure and Des Dolan"s quickly-taken place kick to Aidan Browne ended with a simple point-scoring chance for Rory McGowan. In the last minute of normal time, Des Dolan picked out Paddy Mulvihill and the number 15 got his first point of the afternoon. Both goalkeepers were then called into action, James Kinihan (Castledaly) doing very well to parry John Gaffey"s goalbound effort and Cathal Mullin (Garrycastle) having to come off his line smartly to avert danger. In the third minute of added-time, Garrycastle full back Seanie O"Donoghue effected a great block on his opposite number, Niall O"Neill who found himself in a threatening position near the losers" goal. M.J. McLoughlin struck the ensuing "45" poorly with the last kick of the half, leaving the sides tied at 0-6 apiece at the interval.On the resumption of play, Castledaly had three early chances to go in front, Cathal Mullin saving James Galvin"s fisted effort from M.J. McLoughlin"s 40-metre free before they kicked their first wide of the contest, Brendan Kelly being the guilty party in the fifth minute. A minute later, the winners went into a lead they would never relinquish when arguably the move of the match ended with Enda Kelly kicking a great point with the outside of his boot. Another point followed quickly, Paul Kelly finding the target after receiving the ball from M.J.McLoughlin"s quickly-taken free.Gordon Duffy and Rory McGowan swapped wild wides, before James Kinahan again came to his side"s rescue with a great save from a Paddy Mulvihill snap-shot and following up by cleanly holding Des Dolan"s underhit "45".The next score arrived in the 17th minute, M.J. McLoughlin rifling over a great point from 40 metres. Two minutes later, James Kinahan continued his heroics with another wonderful save from PaddyMulvihill and substitute Conor Cosgrove was wide from the resultant "45". At the other end, Garrycastle had a narrow escape when Cathal Mullin was unable to hold a shot from M.J. McLoughlin and Paul Kelly"s snap-shot flew wide via the crossbar. The game was still very much in the melting pot and, after James Dolan produced a wonderful catch to keep Castledaly at bay, the three-times champions rattled over two points in as many minutes from Paddy Mulvihill (after a neat turn) and Des Dolan (from a straightforward free), to leave just the bare minimum between the sides with six minutes of normal time remaining.In the 26th minute, Castledaly got the last score of the afternoon, M.J. McLoughlin slotting over their first point from a free, the ball having been moved forward following dissent by Garrycastle defenders. With time running out, Des Dolan"s 40-metre free dropped short and, appropriately, Enda Kelly emerged with the ball to relieve the danger. In the second minute of injury-time, a somewhat soft free went Castledaly"s way and, while M.J. McLoughlin"s effort was wide, it was vital for the champions-elect that the ball went dead. Very soon afterwards, a mass invasion of the pitch took place with success-starved hordes dressed in yellow and green vociferously cheering on their heroes.This win for Castledaly will please all neutrals in Westmeath. It is truly a fitting reward for years of honest endeavour in the senior ranks. On a day when all 18 players used were heroes, a number of players particularly stood out. James Kinihan was faultless between the posts and his second half saves were absolutely crucial. Derek Heavin has been one of the most consistent players at club and inter-county level for the past ten years and he again played superbly on the big day. However, he was surpassed on this occasion by half back colleague, Enda Kelly who had a marvellous game from start to finish. The Duffy brothers, Gordon and Niall, grafted extremely hard at centrefield, while Paul Kelly, James Galvin and Brendan Kelly were the pick of a thrifty attack.Martin McCabe"s men contributed handsomely to an enthralling final. Defenders John Gaffey and James Dolan fared well, while Aidan Browne continues to look a very promising midfielder. Rory McGowan, Des Dolan and Paddy Mulvihill all had their moments in a forward division which will undoubtedly reflect on some poor shooting in the first half.Castledaly: James Kinahan; Michael Gavin, Niall O"Neill, Ciarán Henson; Enda Kelly (0-1), Derek Heavin (0-1), Stephen Kavanagh; Gordon Duffy, Niall Duffy (0-1); Alan Fitzgerald, M.J. McLoughlin (0-2, 0-1 from a free), Paul Kelly (0-2); Michael Duffy (0-1), James Galvin (capt), Brendan Kelly (0-2). Subs: Alan Kelly (for Henson, inj, 28 mins), Russell Casey (for Kavanagh, half-time), Tommy Warburton (for M. Duffy, 48 mins).Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin; Karl Henson, Seanie O"Donoghue (capt), Padraig Rattigan; Doran Harte, John Gaffey, James Dolan; Aidan Browne (0-1), Stephen O"Reilly; Rory McGowan (0-2), Gary Dolan, James Duignan; Paul Dillon (0-1), Des Dolan (0-2, 0-1 from a free), Paddy Mulvihill (0-2). Subs: Conor Cosgrove (for Duignan, 46 mins), Justin McAteer (for McGowan, 46 mins), Enda Mulvihill (for Rattigan, 53 mins), Alan Daly (for Dillon, 55 mins).Referee: Barry Kelly (Mullingar Shamrocks).