Super sub Ryan the catalyst for decisive Tyrrellspass surge

Tyrrellspass 2-12, Caulry 1-11

Tyrrellspass edged out Caulry in an exciting Westmeath Senior Football Championship encounter at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday.

Whatever the game lacked in terms of top quality, the tit for nature of proceedings more than compensated for and it was only after an intriguing second half that Tyrrellspass eventually got the better of a spirited Caulry side. Tadhg Baker, Olan Healy and Damien Dolan all picked up injuries in a frantic finale as the Mount Temple men battled to hold a slender lead, but they were undone when Tyrrellspass pounced for a decisive second goal in the 57th minute.

Peter Clarke’s undercooked effort led to Caulry ‘keeper Jack Connaughton parrying the ball and the in-rushing David Hanlon fisted it to the net to give his side a two-point lead at a crucial stage. Caulry had just scored 1-1 - the goal from inspirational defender Dolan - but Tyrrellspass wrestled back momentum and had the experience to see the game out, with two Tommy Ryan points easing them over the finish line. The Mount Temple men could easily have had a second goal here and that would have made for an extremely tight finish.

Caulry, having played with the lively breeze, led by a point at the break, 0-8 to 1-4, and one wondered if that would be sufficient in the tricky conditions, a greasy sod adding to the challenge. A terrific Tyrrellspass goal from Peter Clarke was arguably the highlight of the first half; his left-footed shot after two minutes ensuring an ideal start.

It was level at the end of the first quarter (1-2 to 0-5), Senan Baker, Alan Malynn (0-2, 1 mark), the lively Conor McCormack (free) and Emmet Nally with the Caulry scores. Evan Connell and Kieran Geraghty (free) kept the scoreboard ticking over for Tyrrellspass in a low-scoring, unspectacular second quarter; Stephen Connolly, Sean Clinton and McCormack (free) notched minors to give Caulry the edge at the interval. Caulry were denied a goal before the break when Cormac Monaghan's crucial save on the goal line prevented Tiarnan O’Donovan’s effort dropping into the net.

Tyrrellspass won a higher quality, more intense second half (1-8 to 1-3), but needed all of their experience to do so and Tommy Ryan’s impact off the bench was significant. While Malynn scored a fine point into the teeth of the breeze (after Tadhg and Senan Baker combined), Geraghty and Ryan shot over to bring Tyrrellspass level.

They wrestled back the lead in the 40th minute through a Geraghty free, but a couple of other twists followed in a gripping second half. John Maguire’s handpass (which looked iffy) set up Dolan for a goal on 44 minutes, the tenacious defender crashing the ball to the net; when Senan Baker converted a free in the 54th minute, Caulry led, 1-10 to 1-8.

Two minutes later came the decisive piece of action: Clarke’s shot caused an issue for Connaughton, who failed to hold it and Hanlon seized the moment, fisting home to put Tyrrellspass three clear, 2-10 to 1-10. A high delivery from substitute Sean Murphy could easily have led to a Caulry goal two minutes into added time - Maguire almost forcing it over the line - but they had to settle for a point as Malynn blasted over.

A quality point from a 45-metre free by Ryan (who took liberties in his approach run) with the outside of the right boot eased Tyrrellspass nerves deep in injury-time, giving them the ideal start. Manager Eddie Kinsella will be thrilled with the outcome while his counterpart Pat Flanagan now faces an injury crisis ahead of a derby game against Athlone in round two next weekend.

Scorers - Tyrrellspass: K Geraghty 0-6 (4f), T Ryan 0-4 (1f), P Clarke and D Hanlon 1-0 each, E Connell 0-2. Caulry: A Malynn 0-4 (1m), D Dolan 1-0, C McCormack (2f) and S Baker (1f) 0-2 each, S Clinton, S Connolly and E Nally 0-1 each.

Tyrrellspass: Joe Hyland; Jamie Gonoud, James McGivern, Jamie Corcoran; Cormac Monaghan, Nigel Harte, Conor Slevin; David Hanlon, Adam Flanagan; Val Sizychas, Kieran Geraghty, Peter Clarke; David Glennon, Cathal Dunne, Evan Connell. Subs: Kai Harte for McGivern (inj., 16), Tommy Ryan for Glennon (37), Denis Glennon for Dunne (37), Eoin Corcoran for Sizychas.

Caulry: Jack Connaughton; Darren Hynds, Tom Cloonan, Damien Dolan; Sean Fox, Sean Clinton, Olan Healy; Stephen Connolly, Tadhg Baker; Emmet Nally, Conor McCormack, Colin Murphy; Senan Baker, Alan Malynn, John Maguire. Subs: Tiarnan O'Donovan for Nally (inj., 22), Eoghan Grennan for Fox (27), Harry Stuart Trainor for Murphy (49), Aaron Roarke for T Baker (inj., 49), Shane Lawless for Healy (inj., 56), Sean Murphy for Dolan (inj., 60).

Ref: Declan Nugent (Maryland).

Breaking it down - a closer look at the game

Man of the match

Tommy Ryan (Tyrrellspass): There were several contenders after an intense second half, but Tommy Ryan’s impact was most significant. His four points were crucial, including a fine 45-metre strike from the hands with the outside of the right boot late on.

Score of the match

Damien Dolan’s superb finish gave Caulry a 45th minute goal that put them in a great position.

Key moments

The second Tyrrellspass goal on the hour mark, totally avoidable from a Caulry perspective, was crucial. Tyrrellspass escaped just before half-time as Cormac Monaghan took the ball off the goal line. Fine margins.

Match officials

Referee Declan Nugent was generally solid, but had to overrule his umpire to award a point to Caulry’s Alan Malynn in the tenth minute. In a more challenging second half, there were a couple of charging indiscretions that went unpunished, while Senan Baker seemed unlucky with a throw-ball decision.

Entertainment value - 7/10.