Black and Ambers get the cream as Kilkenny champs stunned
History makers Castletown Geoghegan produced an impressive second-half display to defeat Kilkenny champions Thomastown by 1-25 to 1-14 in the Leinster Club SHC quarter-final at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday.
In doing so, they become the first Westmeath club to topple Kilkenny champions at senior level and it was a truly remarkable performance by Alan Mangan’s side. The Cats have been the perennial standard bearers, but Castletown Geoghegan refused to read the script.
“We felt we had a chance. It’s a massive victory for Castletown Geoghegan and Westmeath. We conceded a goal very early and were on the back foot in the first half, but credit to the lads - they stepped up when their backs were to the wall and came out victorious,” beamed Mangan.
Castletown Geoghegan were 7-1 outsiders earlier in the week but the game took a decisive twist after half-time when Thomastown’s John Joe Farrell was sent off. “I didn’t see the incident, but the lads rallied behind and worked into a winning position easily in the end. It was a great performance from 1 to 15,” declared Mangan.
“There’s a lot of people who have done huge work over the last 10-15 years. It’s all about the club, not just the senior team. The work at underage level has been massive, and thankfully we’re reaping the rewards now.” His side face another massive test against Offaly's Kilcormac-Killoughey in the semi-final next Sunday (TEG Cusack Park, 1.15pm) and the game is live on TG4.
Mangan and Castletown Geoghegan became the focus of national attention after Sunday’s win and RTE’s Des Cahill spoke to the winning manager live on Radio 1's popular Sunday Sport programme.
“There’s a lot of people who have done huge work over the last 10-15 years. It’s all about the club, not just the senior team. The work at underage level has been massive, and thankfully we’re reaping the rewards now,” said Mangan, a Leinster senior football medallist with Westmeath in 2004.
Mangan has carried on the great work of Pat O’Brien, who led the club to three senior finals before passing on the baton. It’s a truly sensational achievement to have overcame the Kilkenny champions and the result sent shockwaves through the hurling world.
Former Westmeath senior hurling manager Michael Ryan was one of those to visit the Castletown Geoghegan dressing room after they won the Westmeath title and he spoke glowingly about their potential and the impact of Mangan, a young and progressive manager.
“We lost three county finals in recent years, but we’ve won two of the last three championships and with a bit of luck, we can keep this momentum going,” Mangan added.
See this week's Westmeath Examiner for extensive coverage.