Murtagh an assured presence for relieved Clonkill

Clonkill 1-19, Castlepollard 2-9

Down by four at half-time at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday last, and facing a shock early exit from this year’s SHC ‘A’, Clonkill rallied to outclass Castlepollard in the second half to secure their first points of the campaign.

Frank Aughey’s charges outscored ‘Pollard 1-12 to 0-4 in that second period, but the game was nicely poised until the final 10 minutes, when the north Westmeath outfit levelled matters shortly after Clonkill had corner forward Matthew Glynn sent off.

‘Pollard were expected to go for the jugular, but a soft goal shattered their hopes and expectations, and Clonkill – led, as always, by the evergreen Brendan Murtagh – closed out the game in comfortable fashion.

Murtagh was omnipresent for the winners, racking up another ten points, roaming outfield to win ball and setting up scores. Without his input, the Loughegar men would have struggled, but in Luke Loughlin, Darragh Egerton and Paddy Dowdall, they had bountiful experience in all sectors, and this ultimately got them over the line.

There was a lot riding on this game for Clonkill, and their urgency showed in the opening minutes as they opened up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead with eight on the clock. Murtagh (two frees), Peadar Scally and the lively Daire McLaughlin found their range, with Allan Devine responding with a ‘65’ for ‘Pollard.

A terrific long-range free from Castlepollard’s John McCarthy left just two between the sides, but Clonkill enjoyed more quality possession. In one move, Luke Loughlin teed up Jordy Smyth for a goal chance, but Smyth fumbled and knocked the sliothar wide off his shin.

From there, ‘Pollard’s fortunes changed for the better, and on the counter David Devine broke through the Clonkill defence. Though he had other options, Devine drilled a fantastic shot to the back of Andrew Mitchell’s net to hand ‘Pollard a 1-2 to 0-4 lead.

Sensationally, Noel Boyce’s troops had the ball in the net again from the puckout, when a speculative shot from the same Devine ended up in the Clonkill net, with the Loughegar men all at sea. A third goal might have followed moments later when a free from John McCarthy cannoned back off the post, but Glen Flynn snatched at the rebound.

Clonkill had the best of the ensuing 10 minutes, with Murtagh converting two frees after setting Daire McLaughlin up for his second score, with ‘Pollard’s Allan Devine adding to their tally with a free.

However, for all the possession they enjoyed, the Loughegar outfit were more wasteful. Alan McGrath had a gilt-edged goal opportunity on 28 minutes, but his tame shot was saved, and Murtagh had a couple of uncharacteristic wides from frees.

Castlepollard took full advantage, and finished the half with a four-point lead, with Allan Devine converting a free before landing a superb score just inside the post with the help of the breeze.

The wind was in Clonkill’s favour after the restart, and by three-quarter mark they led 0-14 to 2-7, with scores from Luke Loughlin (2), Jordy Smyth, Paddy Dowdall (a superb long-range effort) and Brendan Murtagh (two frees) answered only by points from ‘Pollard’s Paul Dermody and Allan Devine (a free). Dermody’s score came after a terrific cross-field ball from John McCarthy.

Though they were very much under the cosh at this stage, Castlepollard’s chances were greatly helped when Clonkill were reduced to 14 men on 48 minutes, after forward Matthew Glynn was penalised for striking ‘Pollard goalkeeper Martin Egan en route to goal. A subsequent free from Allan Devine levelled matters.

However, Lady Luck smiled on Clonkill on 53 minutes when, moments after Luke Loughlin superbly found his range from the terrace side, a long puck from Paddy Dowdall took a wicked deflection off the upstretched hurl of Castlepollard’s Paul Dermody and ended up in Egan’s net. Suddenly, 14-man Clonkill led by four.

From that point, there was only winner, with two more excellent frees from Murtagh and a magnificent score from Mark Keegan putting ample daylight between the sides. Castlepollard’s only reply was a powerful run and point from John McCarthy.

Inevitably, Murtagh had the final say with a monster of a free from beyond the halfway line, as Clonkill ran out seven-point winners and just about keep their noses in the hunt for the Westmeath Examiner Cup.

Scorers - Clonkill: B Murtagh 0-10 (9f), P Dowdall 1-1, L Loughlin 0-3, D McLaughlin 0-2, P Scally, J Smyth and M Keegan 0-1 each. Castlepollard: D Devine 2-0, A Devine 0-5 (3f, 1 ‘65’), J McCarthy 0-3 (2f), P Dermody 0-1.

Clonkill: Andrew Mitchell; Shane Power, Darragh Egerton, Paddy Dowdall; Mark Keegan, Andrew Shaw, Paul Poynton; Oisín Loughlin, Daire McLaughlin; Jordan Smyth, Peadar Scally, Luke Loughlin; Brendan Murtagh, Alan McGrath, Matthew Glynn. Subs used: Rian Holding for O Loughlin (48), Ciaran Nolan for McLaughlin (inj., 54), Luke Kenny for Smyth (59).

Castlepollard: Martin Egan; Seán Lancaster, Darragh O’Reilly, Dylan O’Leary; Paul Dermody, Colm Dermody, Conor Gaffney; Glen Flynn, Andrew Dermody; John McCarthy, Charlie McCormack, David Devine; Allan Devine, Eoin English, Patrick Fagan. Subs used: Brian Gilchrist for English (27), Conor Sheridan for Flynn (37), Matthew O’Reilly for Fagan (60+1).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the match

Brendan Murtagh (Clonkill).

Yet again, Murtagh hit double figures, mostly from frees, but it was his support play and chance creation that really counted. The veteran former Westmeath player was everywhere, and Clonkill would have struggled without him.

The key moment

Clonkill’s first and only goal, an unfortunate own goal from Castlepollard’s Paul Dermody, took the sting out of Matthew Glynn’s red card moments earlier and drove Clonkill on.