Neary goal gives Tang victory as Garrycastle are relegated

Tang 2-10, Garrycastle 1-12

Former Westmeath kingpins Garrycastle were relegated to the Intermediate ranks after they failed to beat Tang at Páirc Chiaráin, Athlone last Sunday afternoon.

Results elsewhere over the weekend left the 2021 finalists needing to end the only one hundred percent record in Section B. The task fell just short of being achieved as Tang held on by a point to cement their place in the quarter finals.

The respective records to date in the championship all pointed to a victory for Tang. The men in maroon had won their three games played to date while Garrycastle were yet to pick up a point as they remained rooted to the foot of the table.

Cathal Mannion, though gave the Athlone team a good start with the first point after just 20 seconds of the game. Thomas Lennon soon drew Tang level but three unanswered scores had Garrycastle in front by 0-4 to 0-1 with seven minutes played. James Sheerin put the ‘Castle in front followed by successful frees from Mannion and Eoin Monaghan. A free at the other end from Aidan Burke reduced the deficit to two points but the goal lead was restored when Monaghan popped over a score from play.

The score was 0-5 to 0-3 in Garrycastle’s favour after the first quarter when Martin Rock grabbed Tangs third point. Goalkeeper Sean Brennan came up to fire over a 45’ to leave it double scores but three points in a row from Tang had the table toppers back on level terms. Adam Neary, Jack Keenan and John Rock all scoring from play. Considering the final outcome, the next score proved crucial as the green flag was raised for the first time.

Tang struck for a goal as Martin Rock found the net after 26 minutes. Garrycastle, though gave themselves something to fight for when play resumed as they left just a point between the teams with the last two scores of the half. Michael Greene pointed and Mannion fired over another free on the stroke of half-time to leave Tang just ahead by 1-6 to 0-8. It was to remain that way until the final whistle.

SCORELESS

Nothing less than a win was required by Garrycastle and they got the best possible reaction to their manager’s team talk when the second half got underway. Monaghan was unlucky to see his shot hit the post after two minutes but Greene was on hand to fire to the net and put Garrycastle in front. The goal was not built upon, however, with 13 minutes passing before they again raised a flag. In the meantime, Tang had re-established their lead. John Rock left it a one point game and, after Jack Keenan had sent a good goal scoring chance wide, Martin Rock levelled matters after 10 minutes. A Burke free edged Tang back in front but Garrycastle headed into the last quarter on level terms when Mannion grabbed another point. A goal chance went a begging soon after but a Mannion free put Garrycastle in front with 19 minutes gone in the half. Another successful free from the number fifteen stretched the lead to two and suddenly it looked like the Green and Reds were on their way to their first win.

Tang, though had other ideas and keeping the opposition scoreless for the next 10 minutes proved crucial to their cause. In this spell, the men in maroon took their scores to prevail by the bare minimum. Garrycastle were undone at the back when Neary got the better of his marker to raise a second green flag. It edged Tang back in front and when Neary popped over a stoppage time free it left Garrycastle needing goals to preserve their senior status. A grandstand finish was in store when substitute Rory McGowan left just a point between the teams in the second additional minute. There was still time for some late drama as Garrycastle were awarded a free in the last action of the game. Mannion correctly opted to send the delivery into the edge of the square in the hope that a goal could be manufactured but Tang held firm to collect the ball as the final whistle soon sounded to send Garrycastle down.

SCORERS - Tang: M Rock 1-2; A Neary 1-2 (0-1 free); J Rock 0-2; A Burke 0-2 (frees); T Lennon and J Keenan 0-1 each.

Garrycastle: C Mannion 0-6 (0-5 frees); M Greene 1-1; E Monaghan 0-2 (0-1 free); S Brennan 0-1 45’; J Sheerin and R McGowan 0-1 each.

TANG: Owen Coughlan, Ian Coughlan, Connal McKiernan, Kieran Duncan, Eoghan Bannon, John Rock, Jason Coughlan, Ciaran Clear, Robert English, Thomas Lennon, Jack Keenan, Aidan Burke, Adam Neary, Shane Coughlan, Martin Rock. Subs: Shane Hanley for Burke (47m); Shane Keenan for Lennon (58).

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan, Mark McCallon, Jack Donohue, Gary McCallon, James Dolan, John Gaffey, Doron Harte, Bill Kelly, Eoin Mulvihill, Justin Barrett, Neal Rattigan, Michael Greene, Eoin Monaghan, James Sheerin, Cathal Mannion. Subs: Ben Kilkenny for Rattigan (24m); Matthew Guiheen for Sheerin (43); Rory McGowan for Greene (50); Ger Heneghan for Harte (55).

Referee: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).

In a nutshell

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Neary (Tang): The corner forward had another fine outing and his goal and a point to close Tangs scoring account proved crucial.

KEY MOMENT

Needing a goal to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation, a stoppage time free was wasted by Garrycastle as Tang came out with the ball to win by a point.

TALKING POINT

Garrycastle have gone from senior finalists in 2021 to relegation while Tang have grown in strength after finally making the breakthrough from the Intermediate ranks last year