O’Leary’s goals key as Shamrocks oust The Downs

Gerry Buckley reportsNot for the first time, Mullingar Shamrocks’ ace goalpoacher Cian O’Leary came to his side’s rescue with a brace of opportunist goals - one in either half - and these scores proved to be the main difference between the sides in the first of the Westmeath senior football championship semi-finals in Cusack Park last Sunday afternoon, with the capital town side winning by four points against age-old rivals The Downs, in what was quite a poor game played in ideal conditions in front of just over 1,500 spectators.An intriguing aspect of this local derby was that two O’Leary brothers, Cian (Shamrocks) and Sean (The Downs), and three Smyth brothers Aonghus and Lorcan (Shamrocks) and John (The Downs),- played on opposing sides, with the latter players’ father Ray wearing the Shamrocks’ bainisteoir bib, having performed the same role with great success for The Downs in the last decade. However, it was Cian O’Leary who stole the show with his two goals, both scored from close range as is his wont, in the 18th and 40th minutes, effectively securing the green and whites’ passage into a Flanagan Cup showdown with holders Garrycastle next month. In truth, Mullingar Shamrocks looked the more likely winners throughout and they led by 1-4 to 0-3 at half-time. Despite O’Leary’s second goal, The Downs kept plugging away and were still in contention as the game entered the final moments. However, they were unable to manufacture a goal and the Mullingar men wrapped up a deserved win with a marvellous point deep into injury-time from the lively Ciaran Curley.After Tommy Cleary was untypically wide from an early free for The Downs, corner back Eddie Moore came forward to open the scoring for Mullingar Shamrocks, after taking Fiachra Spellman’s pass. Luke Folan was narrowly wide twice in quick succession for the black and ambers before Lorcan Smyth picked out Ciaran Curley and the full forward showed great skill and trickery prior to doubling his side’s advantage. At the other end, Philip Shaw had to advance smartly off his line and the signs were already ominous for a disappointing spectacle with both teams showing a lack of composure when scores beckoned. However, The Downs levelled the contest by the midpoint of the first moiety, courtesy of a very good point apiece from Noel Molloy and Tommy Cleary.In the 18th minute, a fine move involving Aonghus Smyth, Ciaran Curley and Conor Twomey ended with Cian O’Leary finding the net from point-blank range to put the winners a goal to the good. Quick thinking from a free by Tommy Cleary set up Shane Power (the losers’ best forward over the hour) for a neat point. Ciaran Curley returned after a spell on the sideline being treated for a head wound (with Denis Corroon briefly deputising) with a distinctive bandage and a new jersey (number 25). The latter’s brother Micheal shot badly wide after a lengthy solo run and The Downs spurned a possible goal chance when nobody was alert to a flicked save from Philip Shaw, after Noel Molloy’s fisted effort (assumedly for a point) dipped in transit. Fiachra Spellman shot a very poor wide from what seemed to be a routine free and Brendan Murtagh reciprocated with a wild shot at the scoreboard end of the ground. Shamrocks finished the half strongly with a brace of unanswered points from Aonghus Smyth, a tricky left-footed free and a terrific score from play from 40 metres, after a patient build-up. At the interval, the scoreboard read: Mullingar Shamrocks 1-4 The Downs 0-3.Soon after a Downs free was overturned for dissent, Tommy Cleary slotted over a placed ball from 30 metres to leave the deficit at a goal. Further points followed from Shane Power (a fine score from an acute angle) and Barry Conroy (a routine right-footed free) and the margin was down to the bare minimum. Simon Quinn replied with a terrific point from over 40 metres before the game’s turning point took place in the tenth minute of the second half. A Simon Quinn free from the 45-metre line was kept in play by Ciaran Curley who tapped the ball across for Cian O’Leary to slap the ball to the net, again from point-blank range. After some initial uncertainty as to the validity of the goal (assumedly the query being whether it was a ‘square ball’ offence), the umpire raised the green flag and Shamrocks supporters felt they had one foot in the Flanagan Cup decider.However, a well-taken left-footed point under pressure by Greg Crowley ensued and when Tommy Cleary and Barry Conroy converted a free apiece, The Downs were within two points of the pre-match favourites. Poor shooting from both sides returned again to haunt the crowd and it took substitute Darragh Daly to show the way with a fine solo point for the green and whites. In the last minute of normal time, Simon Quinn kicked a great free from a tight angle. Tommy Cleary’s successful free left a goal separating the sides as the countdown clock for regulation time read zero. The Downs went all out in search of an equalising goal, but rock-solid Shamrocks defending ensued and a counterattack yielded a point worthy of wrapping up any contest, on this occasion from the outside of Ciaran Curley’s boot.Mullingar Shamrocks will enter the county final as undoubted underdogs in their attempt to dethrone Garrycastle. However, with two key players (Denis Corroon and Kieran Gavin) now back on board after a summer sojourn in the USA and given manager Ray Smyth’s outstanding record in county finals, they are certainly in with a decent shout of regaining the trophy they last won ten years ago. For his part, The Downs bainisteoir Johnny Murray will be generally pleased with a much better championship showing from the black and ambers in 2010 than was the case in last year’s relegation-threatened campaign.Mullingar Shamrocks: Philip Shaw; Eddie Moore (0-1), Aaron Purcell, Mark Irwin; Micheal Curley, Donal O’Donoghue, Aonghus Smyth; Garrett Doyle, Conor Twomey; Anthony Clinton, Lorcan Smyth (0-2, 0-1 from a free), Simon Quinn (0-2, 0-1 from a free); Fiachra Spellman, Ciaran Curley (0-2), Cian O’Leary (2-0). Sub: Darragh Daly (0-1) (for Doyle, 37 mins), Denis Corroon (for Twomey, 50 mins), Gary Corroon (for Spellman, 55 mins), Darren Moore (for O’Leary, 58 mins).The Downs: Ciaran McCormack; Niall Nolan, Mark Dalton, Declan Lynam; Seanie Loughlin, Ben Hogan, Steven Cleary; John Smyth, Brendan Murtagh; Greg Crowley (0-1), Tommy Cleary (0-4, 0-3 from frees), Barry Conroy (0-2, both from frees); Luke Folan, Noel Molloy (0-1), Shane Power (0-2). Subs: Jimmy Conroy (for Folan, half-time), Jack Hogan (for Nolan, 42 mins), Stephen Devine (for B.Conroy, 54), Sean O’Leary (for B. Hogan, 56 mins).Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).