Goals decisive as St Loman’s rubber stamp semi-final spot

St Loman's, Mullingar 3-9 Killucan 1-9

Ultimately, 14-man St Loman’s Mullingar had too much fire power for a tenacious Killucan side in this entertaining Westmeath Senior Football Championship encounter, at Moynihan Park, Ballynacargy on Sunday.

The margin was decisive, even allowing for the red-carding of St Loman’s forward, Peter Foy in the 16th minute and last year’s finalists completed their fourth victory of the group stages, qualifying for the semi-final undefeated. It was 2-4 to 1-3 in St Loman’s favour at half-time after they played into the teeth of a strong wind in the opening 30 minutes and in truth, the writing was on the wall at that stage.

Killucan brought intensity, keeping it seriously competitive for long stretches and there were just two points separating the teams after 38 minutes, but that was as close as it got. A third St Loman’s goal, scored by John Heslin in the 50th minute (after Killucan coughed up possession rather cheaply from a sideline kick) copper fastened their grip on the game.

The only concern for manager Paddy Dowdall is the likely absence of Foy and Jack Geoghegan (stretchered off with a knee injury) for the semi-final against Tyrrellspass or Tang in three weeks.

The strong, diagonal breeze was a factor in this game and Killucan made the ideal start as underdogs when Eamonn Cunneen pointed after 11 seconds. Kicking into the pavilion end of the ground was tricky and Heslin needed a routine free to find his bearings: after a fine point by Sean Leech nudged Killucan ahead, St Loman’s swooped for the opening goal.

Heslin surged through the heart of the opposing cover and finished clinically to the net with 14 minutes played.

Peter Foy was dismissed on a red card following an off-the-ball incident and St Loman’s were forced to work much harder as a collective unit. Heslin’s free kept them three clear and Sam McCartan converted a ‘45’ to extend that lead on 21 minutes. But Killucan showed true grit as Aron Kiernan kicked a fine free off the turf before Jason Gorman sent Devin Hill clear to score a fine goal.

However, two minutes later, St Loman’s hit back in emphatic fashion. After Ronan O’Toole and Danny McCartan combined, the latter’s effort was parried by ‘keeper David Bryan, before Shane Dempsey pounced to tap the ball to the net. The officials consulted and the goal stood before an injury-time free by Heslin gave the saints a four-point cushion at the interval.

Killucan battled on and got the opening two scores of the second half through Cunneen (frees) to set up an enticing contest. St Loman’s could have been in for a goal, but had to settle for an O’Toole point in the end, but another Cunneen free found the target to make it 2-5 to 1-6 by the 39th minute.

Heslin (free) and Sam McCartan added crucial St Loman’s points as they led by four at the three quarter stage. It was still seriously competitive, but a third St Loman’s goal in the 50th minute ended any chance of an upset.

Killucan coughed up possession from a line ball and O’Toole and Heslin almost walked the ball to an empty net, the latter with the easiest finish he is likely to have this year.

Cunneen replied for Killucan, but Heslin converted a tricky free. And after a well-engineered Killucan point, finished by Cormac Boyle (following good work by Darren Finn and Gary Greville), the gap was six points with three minutes remaining.

Substitute TJ Cox was chomping at the bit, keen to impress with a semi-final looming, and his fisted point on the hour mark kept the scoreboard ticking over. Cunneen had the final say with a converted free in added time, but it was academic at that stage and St Loman’s, the favourites, took their palace in the last four.

Scorers - St Loman’s: 2-5 (0-5f), S Dempsey 1-0, S McCartan 0-2 (1 ‘45’), R O’Toole and TJ Cox 0-1 each.

Killucan: E Cunneen 0-6 (4f), D Hill 1-0, C Boyle, A Kiernan (free) and S Leech 0-1 each.

St Loman’s Mullingar: Jason Daly; Eoghan Hogan, Darragh O’Keeffe, Oisín Hogan; Jack Geoghegan, David Whelan, Kevin Regan; Enda Gaffney, John Heslin; Tristan Graham, Sam McCartan, Peter Foy; Danny McCartan, Ronan O’Toole, Shane Dempsey. Subs: Conor O’Donoghue for Graham (40), Gerry Grehan for Geoghegan (inj., 49), TJ Cox for D McCartan (52), Ryan Jones for Regan (52), Fola Ayorinde for O’Toole (58).

Killucan: David Bryan; Andrew Flood, Sam Smith, Luke Darby; Cormac Boyle, Robbie Greville, Eamonn Cunneen; Rory Keyes, Aron Kiernan; Jason Gorman, Sean Leech, Eoghan Ahearn; Gary Greville, Eoin Keyes, Devin Hill. Subs: Darren Finn for Ahearn (49), Sami Clarke and Michael Doherty for R Keyes and E Keyes (50), Conor McKeogh for Gorman (52).

Ref: Mick Murtagh (The Downs).