Loughlin goal inspires Clonkill to victory

Clonkill 2-18 Castlepollard 0-16

Clonkill and Castlepollard faced off in round one of the Westmeath Senior 'A' Hurling Championship at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday evening, in what developed into a disappointing contest despite some early indications that it might be a closely run affair.

The proverbial game of two halves it certainly was as Castlepollard's challenge faded badly after the break and they will be under pressure in this six-team group, with a crucial game against Lough Lene Gaels looming in round two. Clonkill, under the guidance of former player Mickey Dan Murtagh, assisted by former Westmeath talisman Brendan Murtagh, will be relieved that they found some good form after the break and goals from the lively Luke Loughlin and Jordan Smyth gave them the platform.

Their lead was 10 points after 49 minutes and there was no way back for a Castlepollard side that lacked the necessary cutting edge in attack to trouble the former champions.

The match was keenly contested in the first half, with both teams showing determination and skill in equal measure. Clonkill edged the first half, leading by a narrow margin of 0-10 to 0-9 at half-time.

The game started dramatically, with Castlepollard’s corner forward Allan Devine, a former Westmeath player, being fouled by 'keeper Anthony Price for a penalty just 30 seconds in. Devine stepped up to take the shot, but Price made a crucial save, denying Castlepollard an early lead and making amends for conceding the award. John McCarthy, Castlepollard’s talented centre forward, capitalised on the resulting '65', scoring the first point of the game. McCarthy was a standout performer in the first half, contributing five points, including an impressive effort from play.

Despite McCarthy's early success, Clonkill’s dual star Luke Loughlin quickly responded, showcasing his agility and skill. Loughlin scored three points from play in the first half, providing a significant boost to his team and ensuring Clonkill maintained a slender lead. The match was fiercely contested in the first half with both teams exchanging points and the lead changing hands multiple times. The score was level at 0-4 each after 15 minutes, and the teams were tied on five occasions during the first half.

BACK FOOT

The prospect of a seriously tight and testing game quickly faded after the break, however as Clonkill's dominance shone through.

The second half was a testament to Clonkill's dominance and strategic prowess. The Loughegar side outscored their opponents by 2-8 to 0-7, securing the crucial championship points with a final tally that left little doubt about their superiority on the evening.

The turning points of the match were the two decisive goals scored by Clonkill. The first came just five minutes into the second half when Luke Loughlin, already instrumental in the first half, found the back of the net. Loughlin's goal was a momentum shifter, giving Clonkill a significant boost and putting Castlepollard on the back foot. The second goal came from Jordan Smyth, who capitalised on a rebound after Castlepollard's goalkeeper, Jimmy Greville, made an initial save from Loughlin's powerful drive. Smyth's quick reaction and clinical finish effectively sealed Castlepollard’s fate, emphasising Clonkill's offensive efficiency and relentless pressure.

Loughlin also scored a sublime point from close to the sideline in the 50th minute, further underlining his influence on this first round tie.

Throughout the second half, Clonkill showcased their scoring prowess with some exceptional points. Among the highlights was an inspirational score from their centre back, Jamie Coffey. In the 55th minute, with the score at 2-17 to 0-15, Coffey burst onto the ball and fired over a stunning point. This came at a crucial juncture when Castlepollard had been enjoying a brief resurgence with a couple of unanswered points from frees. Coffey's point was a statement of intent and effectively quelled any hopes Castlepollard had of mounting a comeback.

Despite Castlepollard’s efforts, they struggled to penetrate Clonkill's defence and find the goal they desperately needed. Their best opportunity came in the 59th minute when Darragh McCormack was denied by a routine save from Clonkill's goalkeeper, Anthony Price - the 'Pollard forward failing to get sufficient power in his shot. This save underlined Price’s very effective performance throughout the match, having already thwarted Castlepollard’s penalty attempt in the first half.

In the dying moments of the game, Castlepollard had another glimmer of hope when Andrew Dermody’s '65' landed in the danger area and ended up in the net. However, their celebrations were cut short as the referee had already blown for a square ball infringement, resulting in a free out for Clonkill. This decision was emblematic of Castlepollard’s evening – close but ultimately falling short due to Clonkill's disciplined and well-organised defence.

The second half was marked by Clonkill's superior teamwork, tactical execution, and the ability to seize crucial moments. Their ability to convert opportunities, whether through Loughlin and Smyth's goals or Coffey’s inspirational point, showcased their comprehensive skill set and determination to start the championship on a high note.

As the final whistle blew, Clonkill's comprehensive victory was a clear message to their championship rivals. Their performance in the second half not only secured the vital championship points but also suggests that rumours of their demise may well be greatly exaggerated. There are free-taking issues for Clonkill to resolve, but Brendan Murtagh is well placed to focus on that.

In summary, the second half of the match was a masterclass in dominance by Clonkill. Their ability to outscore Castlepollard, coupled with pivotal moments like Loughlin’s and Smyth's goals, and Coffey's crucial point, ensured they walked away with a well-deserved victory. Corner forward Andrew Shaw was also impressive with four points from play for a much improved Clonkill outfit.

This result gives Murtagh's men the ideal start and they have the strength to provide stiff tests for the likes of Raharney, Lough Lene Gaels and Castletown Geoghegan in the race for the Westmeath Examiner Cup. Naturally, they will be concerned about Egerton and will hope that there are no long-term issues with the knee injury, but at times he looked to be struggling. Castlepollard now have it all to do.

Scorers - Clonkill: L Loughlin 1-5, J Smyth 1-1, A Shaw 0-4, D Egerton 0-3 (3f), R Cleary 0-2 (1f), J Coffey, B Gaffney and M Glynn 0-1 each.

Castlepollard: J McCarthy 0-9 (5f; 1 '65'), D McCormack 0-4, C McCormack, A Dermody and A Devine 0-1 each.

Clonkill: Anthony Price; Paul Poynton, Josh Murtagh, Luke Kenny; Darragh Egerton, Jamie Coffey, Brian Gaffney; Ciaran Nolan, Matthew Glynn; Peadar Scally, Oisín Loughlin, Robbie Cleary; Jordan Smyth, Luke Loughlin, Andrew Shaw. Sub: Alan McGrath for Smyth (inj., 59).

Castlepollard: Jimmy Greville; Sean Lancaster, Darragh Reilly, Oisín Gaffney; Paul Dermody, Conor Gaffney, Ciaran Fagan; Charlie McCormack, Colm Dermody; Joe Rabbitt, John McCarthy, Andrew Dermody; Allan Devine, Darragh McCormack, Darragh Tierney. Subs: Brian Gilchrist for Fagan (45), Alex McCormack for Tierney (45), Conor Sheridan for Rabbitt (48).

Ref: Caymon Flynn (St Brigid's).