McCabe free earns Tubberclair a draw with Milltown men

Tubberclair 2-10, Milltown 1-13

A late free from Eoghan McCabe gave Tubberclair a share of the spoils against Milltown in the first round of the Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship at St Mary’s GAA grounds, Rochfortbridge last Saturday evening.

However, Tubberclair may feel the controversial decision to disallow Matthew Whittaker’s score in the 22nd minute of the first half cost them a win. Eoghan McCabe’s equaliser had looked wide but was flagged with some hesitation. Whittaker had a score that was well inside the posts signalled wide in the first half. However, they had a seven-point lead at the break, so perhaps a draw was a fair result after a very entertaining game of football.

Daniel Sammon’s side couldn’t have asked for a better start: within a minute of the throw-in, Fred Kelleher collected possession close to the Milltown goal and he instinctively beat Alan Geraghty. They had the ball in the Milltown net again in the fifth minute. This time, another foray forward found Westmeath player Matthew Whittaker, and he used his pace to get past his marker before beating Geraghty in the Milltown goal.

Tubberclair had looked sharp and efficient in the early exchanges but many more twists awaited spectators and the biggest twist was kept to the end with a terrific ending to the contest. Both sides will be reflecting during the week on opportunities missed and mistakes made. Both teams will be disappointed not to have won but relieved to have earned a draw.

After a flat first quarter, Milltown gradually grew into the game and began to turn the screw. They produced some good attacking football, underpinned by some very good individual efforts. Jack Duncan and Ben McGauran both kicked scores and midfielder Jack Murtagh kicked two scores to cut into the arrears. Murtagh’s scores had plenty of variety; his first was from distance and his second effort was from a tight angle out on the right wing.

Over 19 minutes had elapsed and Tubberclair led 2-4 to 0-5 when the twists started. Firstly, Matthew Whittaker effort seemed to be inside the uprights, but it was signalled wide. Moments later Milltown had an opportunity to score a goal but Nathan Dillon’s attempt to palm the ball into the net was blocked; maybe Tubberclair deserved that rub of the green.

But almost immediately afterwards, Milltown were awarded a penalty. McGauran was fouled and he dusted himself off to take the spot kick. His kick was hit hard low towards the corner but saved brilliantly by Simon Fagan.

Though rattled by the onslaught on their goalmouth, Tubberclair finished the half strongly. Corner-back Kevin Claffey marauded up from his defensive duties to kick a inspirational score and Oisín O’Meara kicked a score after possession was retained for a long spell. The Glasson side went in at half-time 2-6 to 0-5 in the ascendancy.

After the turnaround, Milltown were ready and alert this time and they got the quick start from the throw-in. They worked the ball to Daire Hynes and he was impeded going for goal and a penalty was awarded. This time Hynes himself took on the responsibility and the spot kick, beating Fagan. Hynes then kicked a score and Duncan added a brace.

Within minutes, Milltown's half-time arrears had almost been wiped out. Tubberclair’s discipline then let them down, allowing Duncan to kick a brace of frees. By the 43rd minute, Milltown had taken the lead for the first time.

Tubberclair half-back Stephen McGonagle showed the way by kicking his side's first point of the second half in the 44th minute.

Scores were shared in the last quarter. McCabe kicked the last three scores for Tubberclair, including a late equaliser to draw the game. Duncan kicked Milltown’s last two scores, both from frees, and overall a draw was a fair result when the final whistle was blown.

Tubberclair scored just four times in the second half and none of their forwards scored in that period.

Their scores came from half-back McGonagle and midfielder McCabe. Four of Milltown’s last five scores came from frees, an area Tubberclair will focus on. They will need to get a better scoring return from their attack and reduce the amount of fouling in order to be in the mix for the intermediate title again.

Scorers - Tubberclair: E McCabe 0-5 (3f), O O’Meara 0-3 (2f), M Whittaker 1-0, F Kelleher 1-0, S McGonagle and J Mulvihill 0-1 each. Milltown: J Duncan 0-8 (5f), D Hynes 1-1, J Murtagh 0-3, B McGauran 0-1 (free).

Tubberclair: Simon Fagan, Liam Claffey, Aaron Brady, Kyle Fagan, Stephen McGonagle, Cathal Tighe, Sean McGrane, Eoghan McCabe, Sean Claffey, Oisín O’Meara, Peadar Dolan, Jason McHugh, Gavin Delaney, Matthew Whittaker, Fred Kelleher. Subs: Robbie Curley for G Delaney (45 mins), Graham Whittaker for McHugh (45), Finn Duffy for O’Meara (52).

Milltown: Alan Geraghty, Diarmuid Maguire, Bernard Kiernan, Wayne Smith, Thomas Lynn, Conor Gibney, Conor Dillon, Jack Murtagh, Dylan Murtagh, Jack Duncan, Daire Hynes, Nathan Dillon, Luke Gunning, Ben McGuaran, Matthew Gunning. Subs: Sean Dillon for Lynn (50), Peter Ballesty for N Dillon (50), Frank McLoughlin for D Murtagh (55).

Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).