Soft goals prove costly as Coláiste Mhuire bow out

Castlecome CS 5-15, Coláiste Mhuire 1-16

By Gerry Buckley

The concession of two soft goals in the second half from mishit frees by Castlecomer Community School’s Eoin Brennan proved fatal as the senior hurlers from Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar exited the race for the Leinster ‘B’ title in Kilcavan last Thursday afternoon.

The powers-that-be had difficulty in organizing a venue after the scheduled Kilcormac pitch was deemed unplayable, but a ground unknown to many Westmeath Gaels was found at short notice.

As it transpired, the well-presented home of the Laois junior football champions played host to what was an enjoyable game, with the good-sized crowd in attendance thankfully spared the threatened rain.

There was never very much between the sides in a high-standard first half. Luke Meyler nudged Coláiste Mhuire ahead in the opening minute, but the classy Kevin Buggy quickly equalised.

Further point exchanges ensued between Buggy and his opposite number Conor Williams, Eoin Brennan and Kian Loughlin (both from frees), and Loughlin (a free) and Buggy (an outstanding score from a tight angle).

Jake Connery edged Castlecomer ahead in the tenth minute.

His team mate Patrick Coughlan was then unlucky to see his rasping shot come back off the crossbar after soloing goalward.

Another successful Brennan free preceded the game’s first goal in the 12th minute, Aaron Farrell finding the net in style after a clever pick-up. This left the Kilkenny school ahead by 1-6 to 0-4.

However, the side managed by Micheál Lawler and Kieran Kelly rallied superbly, adding an unanswered 1-3 to their tally in a five-minute period.

The scores were shared between Conor Heffernan (1-1) – the goal coming at the end of a great move – and Loughlin (two pointed frees).

Jack Coogan (St Martin’s) superbly levelled the scoring in the 18th minute.

Tit-for-tat point scoring followed for the remainder of the first moiety, courtesy of the respective number 11s, Padraig Monaghan and Brennan (a free), Loughlin (a free) and Coogan, Connery and Loughlin (a free), and converted frees at either end by Brennan and Loughlin. A half-time scoreline of 1-11 apiece was a very good reflection of the quality half-hour which had preceded.

Another Loughlin free was cancelled out by a quality score from play by Buggy in the two minutes following the resumption of play.

The unerring Clonkill corner forward slotted over another free before the livewire Buggy found the yard of space he had craved and duly gave Cathal Óg Fagan no chance for a terrific goal.

Disaster struck for Coláiste Mhuire some two minutes later when Brennan’s attempt for a point from a 45-metre free squirmed into the net, thereby putting the boys in black and red ahead by 3-12 to 1-13 with 35 minutes elapsed.

A brief but unseemly skirmish followed before Loughlin (a long-range free) and Connery (whose shot looked off-target to many present) traded points.

A Loughlin free and a fine point from play by Eoin Meehan left the side in green and black just a goal in arrears at the end of the third quarter. However, they failed to add to their total in the time remaining.

For their part, Castlecomer CS tagged on a further 2-2 to emerge victorious by a very flattering 11-point margin. Another soft goal from a Brennan free in the 47th minute ended any realistic hopes of a Mullingar win.

The same player pointed another free some four minutes later. With three minutes of normal time remaining, Coogan goaled at the second attempt after Fagan had superbly saved his initial effort. Brennan pointed from play for the first time to wrap up the scoring.

Scorers – Castlecomer CS: E Brennan 2-6 (2-5f), K Buggy 1-4, J Coogan (St Martin’s) 1-2, J Connery 0-3, A Farrell 1-0.

Coláiste Mhuire: K Loughlin 0-11 (11f), C Heffernan 1-1, L Meyler, P Monaghan, E Meehan, C Williams 0-1 each.

Castlecomer Community School: Conor O’Sullivan; Jake Dooley, Bobby Brennan, Mark Kennedy; Tom Shore, Alec Kerr, Jack Comerford; Aaron Farrell, Patrick Coughlan; Michael Keane, Eoin Brennan, Jack Coogan (St Martin’s); Kevin Buggy, Jack Coogan (Erin’s Own), Jake Connery. Subs used: Josh Dowling for Farrell (h-t), Conor Buggy for K Buggy (59), Michael Ruane for Jack Coogan (Erin’s Own) (59), Robert Coogan for Shore (60+1), Conor Rocliffe for Keane (60+1).

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Cathal Óg Fagan; Aaron Flanagan, Mikey Weir, Conor Daly; Donnacha Maguire, Seán Hayes, Jamie Kelleghan; Darragh Smith, Ben McNamee; Luke Meyler, Pádraig Monaghan, Eoin Meehan; Conor Williams, Conor Heffernan, Kian Loughlin. Subs used: Dillon Burke for Meyler (37), Ted Aherne for Monaghan (46), Seán Byrne for Smith (inj., 51), Finn Higgins for Maguire (60+1).

Ref: Declan Cooke (Offaly).