Garrycastle secure win in disappointing contest

Westmeath SFC: Garrycastle 2-12, The Downs 1-7 -- The meeting of Flanagan Cup holders, Garrycastle and doughty championship battlers The Downs failed to ignite at a sun drenched Hogan Park on Sunday afternoon.Garrycastle's four premier crowns and two of the Black and Ambers nine S.F.C. titles have been secured in the noughties, so it was reasonable to expect a high-octane confrontation here.Anthony Cunningham's squad welcomed back to starting duty Alan Daly, John O'Shaughnessy and Rory McGowan while The Downs manager Johnny Murray had John Smyth back from injury. However, those anticipating high jinks from early on were disappointed.It was advantage The Downs who launched early attacks - wing forward Noel Molloy's sizzling first minute shot which just grazed the crossbar could easily have ended in the Garrycastle net, while barely thirty seconds had elapsed when a move involving wing back Jack Hogan and listed corner forward Shane Power, came to James Conroy for point number two. Corner forward Alan Daly soon had Garrycastle on terms - his third minute point from play was followed when he punished a foul on Rory McGowan for the equaliser.Despite the closeness of the exchanges, the standard of play was not rising above the mediocre, but there was occasional flashes of inspirational play - team Captain Doran Harte was especially prominent at centre back for the Shannonsiders, while goalie Ciaran McCormack and wing back Jack Hogan caught the eye on The Downs side with some timely clearances.Barry Conroy again edged the Black and Ambers ahead, but we had entered the second quarter before a brace of points, courtesy of Paul Dillon and Alan Daly (free) put Garrycastle in front for the first time in the 21st minute. Another good save from goalie McCormack denied the hitherto quiet Dessie Dolan a certain goal, but an amazing point by Dessie, in ensuing play with his instep, was disallowed for a square infringement. And so, the half wore on to its conclusion before (27th minute) Luke Folan equalised for The Downs but they received a major boost first on thirty minutes when full forward James Conroy was adjudged to have been impeded in the square by a Garrycastle defender. Penalty! Up stepped Luke Folan and the wing forward gave goalie Cathal Mullin no chance with an excellently struck spot-kick. This gave The Downs a 1-4 to 0-4 interval lead.Garrycastle resumed with Dessie Dolan at midfield, in a direct switch with Aidan Browne now at corner forward. It was in this half that the green and reds proceeded to give strong indication that it will take an exceptional side to dethrone them. Four unanswered points - James Duignan (0-2, 1 free), Aidan Daly and Paddy Mulvihill - inside the opening nine minutes, restored their lead, but while James Conroy equalised thirteen minutes in, there was a sense of inevitability permeating proceedings.Centre-forward Paddy Mulvihill was outstanding in turning this contest firmly in his teas favour and with Dessie Dolan and Seanie O'Donoghue now in control at midfield, the tide turned irrevocably Garrycastles way. Points by Paddy Mulvihill (2) a beauty from Dessie Dolan, with Luke Folan sending over The Downs solitary reply, precluded the score which effectively closed out the match. It was fitting that the very much on form Alan Daly should get it, as having been denied by the crossbar in his first punched attempt, he made no mistake when driving home the rebound. From a high centre Aidan Browne, five minutes later, blasted home goal number two for good measure and when sub Conor Cosgrove pointed a free two minutes into injury time, Garrycastle were in front by double scores 2-12 to 1-6. The Black and Amber brigade had the last say when wing back Jack Hogan pointed the injury time, but the points had long since been secured by a Garrycastle team who go into the early summer club championship recess with full points from their two games played.Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin, John Gaffey, Enda Mulvihill, John O'Shaughnessy, Mark McCallon, Doran Harte (Capt.), James Dolan, Aidan Browne (1-0), Seanie O'Donoghue, James Duignan (0-2, 0-1 free), Paddy Mulvihill (0-3), Rory McGowan, Alan Daly (1-4, 0-2 frees), Paul Dillon (0-1) and Dessie Dolan (0-1). Subs: Shane Mulvihill for Dillon (46), Conor Cosgrove (0-1, free) for Browne (58) and Padraig Rattigan for McCallon (59).The Downs: Ciaran McCormack, Sean Loughlin, Joe Corroon, Stephen Cleary, Jack Hogan (0-1), Mark Dalton, Niall Nolan, John Smyth, Greg Crowley, Noel Molloy (0-1), Barry Conroy (0-1), Luke Folan (1-2, 1-0 pen), Brendan Murtagh, James Conroy (0-2) and Shane Power. Subs: Stephen Devine for James Conroy (55) and Mark Conroy for Molloy (58).Referee: R. Cornally (Mullingar Shamrocks).