Resurgent Garrycastle deny The Downs in minor decider

Garrycastle 1-9, The Downs 0-11

Garrycastle produced a stirring second-half comeback to claim the Westmeath Minor Football Division 2 title on Sunday afternoon in blustery conditions at Bunbrosna.

A tour de force by full forward James McHugh was the catalyst for this dramatic victory as he scored 1-8 of Garrycastle’s tally.

The match was played under challenging circumstances, with Garrycastle overturning a six-point deficit on two occasions, showing immense resilience to secure victory.

For The Downs, it was a heartbreaking end to a difficult weekend, following their senior team’s loss in the Westmeath SFC final replay on penalties just the previous day. At half-time, The Downs appeared to be in control, leading by 0-8 to 0-3, having made good use of the considerable wind at their backs. However, they added just three frees in the second half and failed to score from play against the strong wind.

Garrycastle, driven by the outstanding James McHugh, dominated the second half, with a crucial penalty goal in the 38th minute swinging the game in their favour.

The Downs started brightly, with full-forward Kian Loughlin opening the scoring in the fifth minute, using the wind to perfection. Garrycastle responded through a fine score from McHugh, who worked a short free, playing a one-two before firing over. The Downs then reeled off a series of scores, with Aaron Connaire, Eoin Mullin, and Darragh Smith adding points to give them a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the ninth minute.

McHugh reduced the gap with a free for Garrycastle on 14 minutes, but The Downs continued to press. Mullin and Michael Moloney each added frees, and when Loughlin slotted over another point after a lovely team move, The Downs stretched their lead to six points by the 17th minute. Despite Garrycastle managing a point through Darragh Glennon late in the half, The Downs maintained their grip on the game and were five points clear at the break.

Garrycastle, with the wind now at their backs, started the second half strongly but were initially pegged back by another free from Mullin. However, the game changed in the 38th minute when Garrycastle were awarded a penalty after a defensive error by The Downs - the ball picked off the ground in the small square - and McHugh coolly converted to haul his side back into contention.

With the momentum shifting, McHugh added another point from a free, cutting the gap to just two points. The Downs briefly extended their lead through a Moloney free, but it was Garrycastle’s superior use of the wind and McHugh’s unerring accuracy from placed balls that took control of the game.

McHugh hit five successive frees between the 18th and 29th minutes, including a spectacular point from the hands from 45 metres to put his side in front for the first time with a minute remaining.

In the closing moments, The Downs pressed hard for an equaliser, but Garrycastle’s defence, led by the ever-influential McHugh, stood firm. McHugh won a crucial turnover deep in his own half in added time to secure the win for his side.

This victory marks a remarkable comeback for Garrycastle, whose determination and composure in the second half proved too much for The Downs. Despite the wind dictating much of the game, it was the calmness and leadership of James McHugh that shone through, leading his team to a memorable one-point victory.

After the game Gerry Walker, representing Westmeath Coiste na nÓg, presented the cup to Garrycastle’s Anthony Mannion and the celebrations began.

Man of the match: James McHugh (Garrycastle): An outstanding performance by the winners’ full forward, who scored 1-8 including a brilliant winning point late on.

Scorers - Garrycastle: J McHugh 1-8 (1-0 pen., 0-7f); D Glennon 0-1. The Downs: E Mullin 0-4 (3f), K Loughlin 0-3, M Moloney 0-2 (2f), D Smith and A Connaire 0-1 each.

Garrycastle: Cian Norris; Matthew Turner, Anthony Mannion, Nathan McKeon; Killian Keegan, David Carter, Dylan Frawley; Oisín Mulvihill, Aaron Keegan; Darragh Glennon, Oisín O’Donoghue, Andrew Henson; Niadh Shine, James McHugh, Sean O’Donoghue. Sub: Daniel Stankard for N Shine.

The Downs: Conor Power; Thomas Kearns, Conor Daly, Andrew Brennan; Peter Conneely, Jack Murtagh, Darragh Smith; Luke Meyler, Carl McCormack; Jamie Kellaghan, Michael Moloney, Darragh Kenny; Eoin Mullin, KIan Loughlin, Aaron Connaire. Sub: Padraig Monaghan for J Murtagh.

Ref: Brendan Keena (Ballynacargy).