Stalemate after The Downs fail to build on good start

by Gerry BuckleyWestmeath SFC: Castledaly 3-5, The Downs 1-11 -- Castledaly and The Downs emerged with a point apiece in the opening game of last Sunday evening's double-header in the Westmeath senior football championship at Cusack Park, with a share of the spoils probably a fair outcome, despite the men in black and amber looking very impressive in the opening exchanges.A tricky crossfield wind on a deceptively-cold evening possibly contributed to some mediocre fare as the game progressed, despite a point-feast in the opening quarter. Johnny Murray's men took the lead after only 20 seconds, a dubious handpass from Luke Folan teeing up Barry Conroy for a well-taken score. Brendan Kelly levelled the contest in the third minute from a 25-metre free, before The Downs took more or less complete control and fired over six unanswered points in the process, by the midpoint of the first moiety. Luke Folan started the scoring blitz with a fine score from 40 metres. A trademark left-footed effort from Tommy Cleary soon followed, with Brendan Murtagh, Folan again, Barry Conroy (from a free) and his brother James (after his initial effort had come back off the crossbar) putting the 2003 and 2005 county champions six points to the good.However, the game turned on its head between the 16th and 24th minutes, with the 2008 champions shooting 2-1 without reply to edge ahead, against the run of play. Firstly, Brendan Kelly did very well to get his fist to Alan Stone's high delivery for an opportunist goal from close range. Mick Duffy boxed over a point in the 18th minute, shortly before he went down in some distress, unchallenged, and had to leave the field. His replacement Paul Kelly soon took a pass from another substitute M.J. McLoughlin and lobbed the ball to the net, many in the crowd disputing whether the shot was accidental or otherwise, but a green flag was the outcome and, remarkably, Éanna Gavin's troops were now a point to the good. Some sloppy play ensued with Tommy Cleary untypically wide from a scoreable free. However, The Downs drew level in the very last action of the half, Cleary making amends with a neat finish in the second minute of added-time. This left the scoreboard at half-time reading: Castledaly 2-2 The Downs 0-8.The Downs got off to a dream start on the change of ends, a foul on James Conroy after only 30 seconds giving Tommy Cleary the chance to find the net from the penalty spot, which one of the 1995 All-Ireland minor heoes did with aplomb. M.J. McLoughlin reduced the gap to the bare minimum with a brace of converted frees before his colleague Justin Coughlan had to advance smartly from his line to keep out a dangerous through ball from Barry Conroy. After Tommy Cleary was fouled, he dusted himself down to curl over a left-footed free in the 13th minute. Alan Stone replied with a fine point from 35 metres and the tit-for-tat scoring continued with Tommy Cleary responding from a 25-metre free. With six minutes of normal time remaining, M.J. McLoughlin's free fell for Paul Kelly who swivelled well before rifling home a great goal, to edge the men in gold and green ahead. Some two minutes later, substitute Stephen Devine equalised with a wonderful strike with the outside of his right boot. Both sides spurned chances to win the match, with Castledaly undoubtedly the more guilty party, in particular, Alan Stone shooting a very poor wide in the 30th minute.The two sides will be happy to have a point each on the board, but improvement will be needed in both camps if they are to be serious contenders for the Flanagan Cup.Castledaly: Justin Coughlan; Enda Kelly, Ciaran Henson, Michael Gavin; Stephen Kavanagh, Adrian Kelly, Tommy Warburton; Gordon Duffy, Niall Duffy; Alan Fitzgerald, Derek Heavin, Alan Stone (0-1); Eoin Fleming, Mick Duffy (0-1), Brendan Kelly (1-1, 0-1 from a free). Subs: M.J. McLoughlin (0-2, both from frees) (for Warburton, 15 mins), Paul Kelly (2-0) (for M. Duffy, inj, 21 mins), Russell Casey (for Fleming, 48 mins), Tommy Warburton (for Fitzgerald, 56 mins).The Downs: Ciaran McCormack; Niall Nolan, Jack Hogan, Steven Cleary; Sean Loughlin, Mark Dalton, Conor Carley; Joe Corroon, Brendan Murtagh (0-1); Mark Conroy, Luke Folan (0-2), Barry Conroy (0-2, 0-1 from a free); Tommy Cleary (1-4, 1-0 from a pen, 0-2 from frees), Noel Molloy, James Conroy (0-1). Subs: Declan Lynam (for Dalton, inj, 28 mins), Stephen Devine (0-1) (for Folan, 43 mins), David Smyth (for B. Conroy, 48 mins), Eugene McCormack (for Murtagh, inj, 51 mins), Shane Power (for J. Conroy, 57 mins)Referee: Sean Sheridan (Tyrrellspass).Footnote. A sincere well done to the powers-that-be for producing four team-sheets for Sunday's double-header to the reporters on duty in the press box. However, it would be great if the paying public could also receive even a basic photocopied A4 sheet for senior championship fare in both codes.