Garrycastle's Leinster hopes end in controversial fashion

Naomh Mearnóg 2-10 Garrycastle 1-12

Garrycastle were left with a burning sense of injustice after an agonising one-point defeat to Naomh Mearnóg in this Leinster intermediate championship semi-final in Balgriffin last Saturday.

In truth, the Garrycastle contingent had a strong case to be highly aggrieved as a number of key decisions went against them in the closing minutes.

Naomh Mearnóg's equalising point in stoppage time appeared to be wide according to virtually every observer, apart from perhaps those supporting the Dublin outfit. Indeed, the commentator on streaming service Clubber TV said that, from his vantage point, Sean Hawkshaw's shot "was wide all day" but the "point" stood. Hawkshaw's shot definitely seemed to tail to the left and wide. Strangely, despite the Garrycastle protests, the referee did not consult with the umpires to check if they were satisfied with the decision.

That score came after a dubious free was awarded against Garrycastle's Mattie Guiheen. And following the equaliser, salt was rubbed into Garrycastle wounds when, after another very contentious free was given against substitute Ger Heneghan, it set in motion a passage of play which culminated in Bernard Deay handpassing the winning point.

Yes, Garrycastle were guilty of wasteful shooting, recording 12 wides (seven in the first half), in addition to dropping a number of efforts short. To some extent, they were authors of their own downfall.

Yet, they still led by a single point in added time with young sub Jamie Carroll looking like he could emerge as the hero by scoring a late goal.

Seamus Mulhare is an experienced referee and for the majority of proceedings on Saturday, he handled the game well. But since those key calls late on all went against Garrycastle, it was impossible for the green and red outfit not to feel aggrieved.

There were also complaints about how the second Naomh Mearnóg goal came about, with the referee colliding with Garrycastle's James Dolan which created space for Karl Lynch Bissett to head goalwards and he duly found the net. However, such a situation is not covered by the rulebook and while Garrycastle were decidedly unfortunate in this instance, the referee was not obliged to order a 'hop ball'.

Originally fixed for Parnell Park, this game was moved to Inishfails GAA grounds the day before. Considering the recent weather, it was hardly ideal for this Leinster semi-final to be played without a stand for spectators and it was fortunate that Storm Bert did not unleash a torrent of rain upon the exposed fans. In addition, there was no scoreboard in operation.

Mercifully the weather stayed dry for a football contest featuring the somewhat surreal sight of planes continually flying overhead on the way to nearby Dublin Airport.

Garrycastle went into the game missing team captain Jack Donohue (on honeymoon following his recent wedding), along with injured duo Andrew Monaghan and John Gaffey, who would have been a valuable sub if not a starter.

But they were on the cusp of victory when Jamie Carroll pounced for a 60th-minute goal, after fellow substitute James Sheerin broke the ball into this path.

In a controversial finale, however, Hawkhsaw's disputed point (62nd minute), followed by Deay's handpassed effort (64th minute), ensured it was the Portmarnock side who advanced to the Leinster final.

Man of the match: Karl Lynch Bissett (Naomh Mearnóg). Whatever about the nature of Naomh Mearnóg's victory, there could be no disputing the outstanding display of Lynch Bissett. A strong ball carrier throughout, he also scored 1-2. Ahead of next Sunday's final, curbing his influence will be one of the main items on the agenda of Kildare representatives Caragh. Bernard Deay (scorer of the winning point) and Harry Collier were also major threats. For Garrycastle, the influential Ben Donegan was always willing to take on the opposing defence, while Eoin Monaghan had a fine game, particularly in the second half.

Scorers - Naomh Mearnóg: B Deay and K Lynch Bissett (0-1f) 1-2 each; H Collier 0-3; T Cosgrove 0-2; S Hawkshaw 0-1. Garrycastle: J Carroll 1-0; C Cosgrove 0-3 (3f); B Donegan and E Monaghan 0-2 each; J Dolan, J Nugent, R McGowan, C McCarthy and M Monaghan (f) 0-1 each.

Naomh Mearnóg: Mark O'Connor; Rory O'Loughlin, Gavin Nangle, Darren Byrne; Fintan O'Connor, Conor Archer, Tommy Cosgrove; Sean Hawkshaw, Cian Madden; Jamie Walsh, Karl Lynch Bissett, Shane Kavanagh; Harry Collier, Michael Gibbs, Bernard Deay. Subs used: Eoin Kelly and Aodhan Fee for Archer and Kavanagh (42); Bobby Smith for Walsh (56).

Garrycastle: Seán Brennan; Jack Mulvihill, Mark McCallon, Gary McCallon; James Dolan, Eoin Mulvihill, Mattie Guiheen; Michael Monaghan, Cian McCarthy; Rory McGowan, Conor Cosgrove, Jason Nugent; Cathal Mannion, Eoin Monaghan, Ben Donegan. Subs used: James Sheerin for McGowan (42), Jamie Carroll for Nugent (51), Ger Heneghan for Cosgrove (56).

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).

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