The Downs always in control against Garrycastle

The Downs 3-11, Garrycastle 2-2

By Gerry Buckley

Last Thursday evening in very pleasant conditions for football, a better-balanced ladies’ side from The Downs ended up as comfortable winners against Garrycastle on the winners’ main pitch in what was an enjoyable Westmeath senior championship tie.

Despite the team in green and red jerseys pouncing for a brace of goals in as many minutes at the start of the final quarter, there was no way back for them against a more experienced home side who were not flattered by their 12-point winning margin.

Aided by a slight wind blowing from the clubhouse end of the resplendent complex, The Downs spurned good chances of a point and a goal respectively in the opening 90 seconds. Michele Bohan belatedly opened their account at the end of a great move in the fourth minute, before chances were missed at either end.

In the ninth minute, a 30-metre free by Beth McGuire – assumedly with a point as her target – dipped into the net to open up a four-point lead. A minute later, Garrycastle got on the scoreboard courtesy of Kacey Mulvihill (at the end of a fine move).

The Downs increased their advantage via Lucy Power, but were soon unable to garner a score from a ‘45’. Holly Dowdall was denied by solid net-minding by Laura Brennan, but her side still led by 1-2 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Mulvihill doubled her tally in great style in the 18th minute via the outside of her boot. Grace Halligan’s scoreable free for the losers was short of the target, and a counter attack almost led to a soft goal for the girls in black and amber.

In the 25th minute, the hard-working Francesca Walshe rounded off a great move by rifling the ball past Brennan. Points ensued before the break from McGuire (a free) and Walshe, either side of Brennan being caught in possession in a sally to the halfway line – she later moved outfield with Ellen Parker taking over in goals. The Downs led by 2-4 to 0-2 at the interval.

There was no respite for the South Westmeath ladies on the change of ends, with Holly Dowdall pointing after just 15 seconds. A great run by the latter’s sister Megan (after a turnover) teed up Holly for a great goal in the 32nd minute. Walshe added a fisted point from the resultant kick-out.

The Downs tagged on three more unanswered points by the mid-point of the second moiety from the boots of sub Mary Lynam (from play), and McGuire and Niamh Nolan (both from frees), to lead by 3-9 to 0-2.

At this stage, a real hammering looked on the cards for the visitors, but they rallied admirably to score quickfire goals via the Mulvihill sisters – a dipping shot from Kacey in the 49th minute, quickly followed by another from Shannon (after a smartly-worked free).

The Downs settled again with a neat point from Holly Dowdall. There was only one further addition to the scoreboard in the closing ten minutes, Walshe fittingly wrapping up an impressive winning tally with a great point.

Scorers – The Downs: F Walshe 1-3, B McGuire (all from frees), H Dowdall 1-2 each, N Nolan (f), L Power, M Lynam, M Bohan 0-1 each. Garrycastle: K Mulvihill 1-2, S Mulvihill 1-0.

The Downs: Shauna Conneely; Emily McNamee, Amy Dagg, Aoife Rowan; Aisling Egerton, Niamh Nolan, Gillian Ferguson; Megan Dowdall, Lucy Power; Francesca Walshe, Michele Bohan, Niamh Rowan; Beth McGuire, Sheila McGrath, Holly Dowdall. Subs used: Mary Lynam for Bohan (inj., 24), Olivia Glynn for Ferguson (h-t), Annie Corcoran McDonald for Power (48), Ciara Dolan for Nolan (59), Andrea Coleman for M Dowdall (60+2).

Garrycastle: Laura Brennan; Sarah Carter, Aimee Duncan, Aoife O’Brien; Ailish Mannion, Lorraine Duncan, Emily Ruane; Sarah Dolan, Erika Lowe; Jessica Frawley, Kacey Mulvihill, Grace Halligan; Elaine McGovern, Aoife McGibbon, Shannon Mulvihill. Subs used: Amy McGovern for Cawrter (34), Ellen Parker for Ruane (45), Cadhla Kelly for O’Brien (48), Aislinn Kelly for Halligan (52), Eve Murphy for Frawley (60+2).

Ref: Ken Daly (Loughnavalley).