Brownstown secure commanding semi-final victory over Raharney

Brownstown 2-16, Raharney 1-11

The talented Jamie Fitzsimons shot seven crucial points as Brownstown qualified for the final of the Westmeath Intermediate hurling championship with a pretty emphatic victory over Raharney at a blustery Clonkill venue on Saturday.

The former Westmeath kingpins, who have 15 senior titles to their credit, will be aiming to get back to the senior grade on Saturday week, but they will need to sharpen up on their finishing in order to do so as they face a strong Southern Gaels side in the final. Brownstown found it extremely difficult to cope with a swirling wind in the second half and missed a plethora of chances, having led by six points at the break (2-8 to 0-8).

It was a convincing victory, overall, powered by an early goal spree and standout performances from Fitzsimons, Donal Lane and Brian Guerin. Despite a late goal from Raharney’s Donie Mullen, the game was effectively decided by Brownstown's superior start and solid second-half display.

It began with Raharney’s Darragh Core pointing after just a minute, but Brownstown responded in emphatic fashion. In the second minute, Brian Guerin’s pass found Donal Lane, who belted the ball to the net to give Brownstown an early lead. This was followed by a Fitzsimons point from a free, but Raharney’s Donie Mullen hit back with a long-range score to keep them in touch at 1-1 to 0-2.

Brownstown struck again in the fourth minute when Brian Guerin’s slick footwork created space, and he finished clinically to the net after a pass from Paddy Reilly. Mullen pointed a free for Raharney, but another Fitzsimons free extended Brownstown's lead. The teams continued to trade scores, with Brian Smyth and Leon Broderick adding points for Raharney, while Fitzsimons remained accurate from placed balls for Brownstown.

As the first half wore on, Fitzsimons further demonstrated his accuracy, landing points from a 65' and a free. Cormac Foley added a well-taken point into the wind, and Raharney’s Mullen grabbed another score from a free. Brownstown’s goalkeeper, Darragh Weir, was called into action to deny Lane a second goal just before half-time, but Lane still managed to slot over a point, leaving the Clonmellon side firmly in control at the interval.

Raharney started the second half well, with Darragh Core pointing into the wind, while Weir was again on hand to prevent Lane from scoring another goal minutes later. Lane did manage to score a point shortly after, followed by a quick-fire score from Tiernan Purcell. Paddy Reilly added to Brownstown’s tally with a fine point from midfield before Mullen responded with another free for Raharney.

Brownstown’s inaccuracy was a feature of the half and prevented them from putting real daylight between the sides and it's something manager Gary Mangan will surely focus on.  Brownstown’s Niall Leonard punished Raharney’s defence in the 16th minute after quick thinking from Fitzsimons, who played a short free. By the end of the third quarter, Brownstown led 2-12 to 0-10, effectively sealing their place in the final.

Emmett Cunneen extended Brownstown's lead with a marvellous point from an acute angle after Lane's delivery, and Leonard added another following good work by Reilly and substitute Robbie Dugdale. Fitzsimons continued to dominate from frees, while Guerin capped off a strong performance with a point after a pass from Purcell.

Raharney did manage to grab a late goal, with Mullen’s powerful free finding the top corner in the 32nd minute. However, it was little more than a consolation for Declan Mullen's charges even if the Brownstown’s defence would have been disappointed with their lapse despite having several players on the goal line.

In the end, Brownstown’s early goals and consistent scoring proved the biggest factors and they will approach the final in confident form.

Scorers - Brownstown: J Fitzsimons 0-7 (5f), D Lane 1-2, B Guerin 1-1, N Leonard 0-2, C Foley, E Cunneen, P Reilly and T Purcell 0-1 each.

Raharney: D Mullen 1-7 (1-5f), Darragh Core 0-2, B Smyth and L Broderick 0-1 each.

Brownstown: James Moore; Oisín Kiernan, Philip Gilsenan, Kenny Higgins; Cormac Foley, Conor Shaw, Anthony Mulvanney; Conor Rice, Paddy Reilly; Donal Lane, Emmett Cunneen, Tiernan Purcell; Niall Leonard, Brian Guerin, Jamie Fitzsimons. Subs: Robbie Dugdale for Rice (37), Tom Flynn for Foley (58), Shaun Smyth for Fitzsimons (60).

Raharney: Darragh Weir; Matt Shaw, Jack Coyne, Conor Dugdale; David Weir, Pearse Weir, Dean Core; Luke Darby, Leon Broderick; Donor Mullen, Callum McKeogh, Eoin Weir; Darragh Core, Brian Smyth, Aaron Ready. Subs: Jack Larkin for Broderick and Neil Carty for Dean Core (38), Cian Weir for Smyth (48), Jamie Carr for Ready and Cian O’Connor for D Weir (56).

Referee: Seán Carroll (Cullion).