Caulry reach senior championship semi finals for first time
Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath Senior Football Championship quarter-final
Caulry 1-11 Athlone 2-6
Caulry have reached the Westmeath SFC semi-finals for the first time in the club's history after a two-point victory over Athlone at TEG Cusack Park yesterday (Saturday).
The Mount Temple/Baylin outfit went into this game as favourites against an Athlone side which had scrapped into the quarter-finals from Section B.
But despite again being without Ray Connellan, Athlone frustrated their opponents in the first half with a resolute defensive display and a superbly taken goal by Conor Rushe gave the Shannonsiders a 1-3 to 0-3 lead at half-time.
Rushe's goal chance was created by Cillian Lynn's perceptive pass inside the Caulry defence, though it was one of the few highlights of a lacklustre opening half. Athlone's only other score from open play in the first half was a majestic point from Eamon Martin, off the outside of the boot. For their part, Caulry only managed one score from play during the opening half, Emmet Nally the scorer.
Caulry were reduced to 14 men for ten minutes during the first half after Eoghan Grennan was shown a black card, but Athlone were unable to exploit the extra man. Athlone received an early blow when midfielder Ben Killian was stretchered off with what looked like a serious injury.
Realising their championship hopes were on the line, Shane Curran's charges started the second half in determined mood and three points on the trot from Senan Baker (two frees) quickly levelled matters.
A key moment arrived in the 37th minute. Baker appeared to be trying for a handpassed point but Nally followed up and palmed the ball to the net in opportunistic fashion. The goal was given after consultation between referee Barry Nea and his umpires over a possible 'square ball'.
The game now had been turned on its head, as points from Conor McCormack, Nally and Tadhg Baker (an inspiring score from the influential wing-back) put Caulry 1-9 to 1-3 ahead.
A point from team captain Shane Allen lifted Athlone and they were right back in contention in the 49th minute, when Benny Martin knocked Noel Mulligan's '45' across the goalmouth and long-serving midfielder John Stapleton finished the ball to the net.
As Athlone tried to build on this boost, Sean Dowd appeared unlucky to be denied a free-in and Caulry gave themselves breathing space with points from Paddy Sleator and McCormack.
Athlone tried to engineer a late goal in a bid to force extra-time, but Stapleton's flick from Martin's delivery went over the bar as Caulry held on for a deserved victory.
Caulry will now meet Coralstown/Kinnegad in their semi-final, whom they lost to by 4-6 to 0-10 in the opening round of the championship. The other semi-final will be between St Loman's, Mullingar and the winners of the Tang versus Tyrrellspass quarter-final.
Scorers - Caulry: E Nally 1-2; S Baker 0-4 (3f); C McCormack 0-3 (1f); T Baker and P Sleator 0-1 each. Athlone: J Stapleton 1-1; C Rushe 1-0; S Allen 0-2 (1f); E Martin, S Dowd (mark) and C Lynn (f) 0-1 each.
Caulry: Jack Connaughton; Ben Moran, Kevin Maguire, Sean Fox; Tadhg Baker, Eoghan Grennan, Sean Clinton; Stephen Connolly, Paddy Sleator; Tiarnán O'Donovan, Conor McCormack, Sean Murphy; Emmet Nally, Senan Baker, Alan Malynn. Subs used: Colin Murphy for S Murphy (h-t); Aaron Roarke for Malynn (45 mins); Damien Dolan for Fox (52); Tom Cloonan for Nally (57).
Athlone: Darren Costello; James Finlass, Noel Mulligan, Paddy Ryan; Shane Allen, Diarmuid Martin, Kieran Colclough; John Stapleton, Ben Killian; Conor Rushe, Donagh Prendergast, Eamon Martin; Cillian Lynn, Kian Mitchell, Benny Martin, Subs used: Sean Dowd for Killian (inj., 10 mins); Johnny Martin for Rushe (40); Matt Scally for Mitchell (46); Josh Kenny for Dowd (55); Josh Beaumont for B Martin (56).
Referee: Barry Nea (Killucan).