Tang turn tables for revenge over Caulry

Tang avenged their defeat to Caulry at the same stage of the 2010 intermediate championship in Moate last Saturday - as a fortuitous first-half goal by Martin Rock ultimately proved the difference between the teams.In last year's quarter-final at the same venue, Caulry caused something of a surprise by beating Tang, with Peter Smyth's late goal from a penalty swinging the game in the Mount Temple side's favour.Tang were clearly keen to make amends last Saturday - yet, in this curious sort of game, they could have paid the price for their wastefulness in front of goal.Within 13 minutes of the start, Padraig Farrell's men were 1-3 to 0-0 in front but they didn't score again for over 36 minutes. Indeed, Caulry went ahead in the 12th minute of the second half (0-7 to 1-3) and the game was really in the melting pot in the last quarter.Overall, though, a physically stronger Tang side were deserving winners. Had they been more clinical with their shooting, they could have wrapped up victory more comfortably and they kicked a total of 12 wides as opposed to Caulry's six.When Brendan Clarke's charges ran at Tang in the second half, their pace and vigour caused plenty of problems, but Caulry lacked the experience and know-how to see the game through.Tang now advance to a semi-final meeting with Coralstown/Kinnegad, who were surprisingly relegated from the senior ranks last year. The men in maroon will need to improve significantly on this display, particularly with their finishing, if they are to spring a surprise against the team strongly fancied for the title from the outset of the championship.After two early Caulry wides, Tang took the lead with a fine point by wing-forward Trevor English, who was very impressive in the early stages. The same player doubled Tang's lead in the sixth minute. English then turned provider for Paul Conway but the latter hurried his kick and sent it wide. Moments later, however, the former Westmeath star showed all his footballing experience with a clever flick to set up Aidan Burke for a smartly-taken point.The all-important goal came in the 13th minute when young wing-forward Martin Rock picked up a breaking ball around midfield and tore through the Caulry defence on a weaving solo run. Rock was undoubtedly aiming for a point but his tricky shot went just under the crossbar, deceiving John Madden (the former Mayo goalkeeper who played in the 1996 All-Ireland finals) and ending up in the net.Caulry were now trailing by six points and they badly needed a score, which they got in the 15th minute by virtue of a Peter Smyth free after a foul on wing-forward Johnny Dolan.Tang were defending in numbers and tackling with great zeal, and they frequently dispossessed their opponents with ease as Caulry's build-up play was too slow and laboured.Caulry centre-back Damien Dolan had been moved back to full-back and he was soon seen to good effect in direct opposition to Niall Bannon. In the 26th minute, Maguire lifted Caulry by lofting over his side's first point from play, after a series of handpasses.Tang had now lost their way after their bright start, with Trevor English's wayward kick at goal when a pass inside was on just one example of the sloppiness that had crept into their play. At the other end, a sniping run by Johnny Dolan earned a free-in and Smyth again did the needful, to leave Tang leading 1-3 to 0-3 at half-time.Caulry made a couple of changes at half-time with Robert Kenny and David Brookes entering the fray, with Declan Donohoe replacing after shipping a heavy challenge in the first half which led to a yellow card for Conway.The second half began in highly exciting fashion with a goal chance at either end within two minutes of the resumption. First, Paul Conway, now operating at full-forward, hit the side-netting, the chance coming about after he won a high ball in by industrious midfielder Robert English. At the other end, Peter Smyth set up a chance for David Brookes, whose well-struck left-foot drew a fine save from Michael Galvin.After Tang full-back Kieran Duncan seemed to be harshly denied a free out, it was Caulry who took advantage when awarded a free-in, with Smyth again on target. Caulry were now in the ascendancy. Robert Kenny was making a difference at full-forward, Alan Fitzpatrick was becoming more influential at midfield and Damien Dolan was excelling after returning to the centre half-back slot. And a superb individual point by Fitzpatrick in the 36th minute left just the minimum between the teams.Wing-back Dean Reddin was adjudged to have committed a foul in attempting to dispossess Ben Moran, who had made a lung-bursting run from defence. This paved the way for Smyth to score his fourth pointed free and Caulry were level. Tang's scoring touch had totally deserted them at this stage and, in addition to hitting wides, they were kicking the ball into the arms of Caulry 'keeper John Madden from good positions.Caulry hit the front in the 42nd minute, Alan Fitzpatrick scoring his second after good work by Robert Kenny. Shortly after having a penalty claim waved away, Tang were awarded a free-in for a foul on Martin Rock and Aidan Burke finally ended a scoring drought which had lasted close to 40 minutes.With the scores level at 1-4 to 0-7, a crucial decision went against Caulry when midfielder Alan Fitzpatrick was blatantly fouled when on the attack but no free was given.Tang continued to pump high balls towards Conway at the edge of the square, but Kevin Maguire - who will surely make a welcome return to the Westmeath defence next season - was getting on top in this duel. However, in one battle for possession late in the game, Maguire fouled Conway and Burke steered the free over from an acute angle on the 14-yard line.Substitute Colm Conlon then added to Tang's lead, showing composure in front of goal which many of his team-mates had lacked heretofore.As the game began to slip away from Caulry, Peter Smyth uncharacteristically missed a free and, in injury time, Martin Rock landed an exquisite point, having missed several easier chances earlier in the half.SCORERS - Tang: M Rock 1-1; A Burke 0-3 (2f); T English 0-2, C Conlon 0-1.Caulry: P Smyth 0-4 (4f); A Fitzpatrick 0-2; J Maguire 0-1.TANG: Michael Galvin; John Rock, Kieran Duncan, Michael Bannon; Dean Reddin, Alan Higgins, Chris O'Connor; Joe Conlon, Robert English; Trevor English, Paul Conway, Martin Rock; Denis Bannon, Niall Bannon (capt.), Aidan Burke. Subs: Tommy McCormack for D Bannon (43 mins); Colm Conlon for T English (54).CAULRY: John Madden; Ben Moran, Kevin Maguire, Ernie Buckley; Jack O'Meara, Damien Dolan, Declan Donohoe; Gary Flanagan (capt.), Alan Fitzpatrick; Eoghan Grennan, John Maguire, Johnny Dolan; Mark Fitzpatrick, Peter Smyth, Andrew O'Sullivan. Subs: Robert Kenny for M Fitzpatrick (inj., h-t); David Brookes for Donohoe (inj., h-t); Keith McMenamin for O'Meara (43); Evan Roarke for O'Sullivan (56).REFEREE: Sean Carroll (The Downs).