Cunneen major puts Brownstown on the road to deserved victory

Brownstown 1-22, Castletown Geoghegan 1-13

A strong second half showing saw Brownstown easily account for Castletown Geoghegan’s second string outfit, in the All County Hurling League Division 2 decider at TEG Cusack Park on Friday.

The Clonmellon outfit took a commanding lead of 1-18 to 0-10 by the 52nd minute and despite the concession of a sloppy goal in added time, they were worthy winners.

Brownstown led by five points at the break, 1-9 to 0-7, after a goal by Emmett Cunneen in the 14th minute gave them control. Cunneen almost lost control as he raced through, but had the presence of mind to belt the ball to the net. Castletown Geoghegan faded quite early and that was surprising considering how competitive they had been in the first half when the exchanges were generally tit for tat. Indeed, the Castletown Geoghegan men led by 0-4 to 0-1 when Fergal O’Brien shot over in the sixth minute; Jamie Fitzsimons’ free brought Brownstown level on eight minutes and it was only when Emmett Cunneen cut through to score their goal in the 14th minute that the victors found some breathing space. Cunneen did well to apply the telling finish having appeared initially to lose control as he ran directly through the opposing cover. With four of the last five scores of the half through Fitzsimons (two), Cunneen, Niall Leonard (free), Brownstown had a useful five-point lead at the interval.

Three unanswered points pushed Brownstown 1-12 to 0-8 clear after seven minutes of the second half and that set the tone: Sean Jackson, whose free-taking and striking was generally excellent, got the first of the half for the black and ambers, but it was not the precursor to happier times. Brownstown were seven points clear by the end of the third quarter following a Fitzsimons minor and they proceeded to add four further scores per Fitzsimons (three) and Cunneen to surge into an 11-point lead with nine minutes remaining. That was the crucial period and the blues dominated it. Pauric Kane made an impact off the bench for Castletown Geoghegan, but even his two points did not inspire a turnaround. Fitzsimons notched a late point to complete a fine haul and although a long free into the danger area led to a breaking ball from which Dean Slevin found the net, there was no way back for Castletown Geoghegan.

Following the final, Westmeath County Committee Chairman Frank Mescall presented the cup to James Moore and Kenny Higgins of Brownstown and the well supported side celebrated a fine victory.

Scorers – Brownstown: J Fitzsimons 0-9 (2f), N Leonard 0-5 (2f), E Cunneen 1-2, B Guerin and R Dugdale 0-2 each, T Purcell and S O’Farrell 0-1 each. Castletown Geoghegan: S Jackson 0-8 (5f), D Slevin 1-1, P Kane 0-2, O Gavigan and F O’Brien and 0-1 each.

Brownstown: James Moore; Oisín Kiernan, Philip Gilsenan, Kenny Higgins; Tiernan Purcell, Conor Rice, Tom Flynn; Brian Guerin, Robert Dugdale; Emmett Cunneen, Donal Lane, Jamie Fitzsimons; Cormac Foley, Niall Leonard, Gary Smith. Subs: Darren Dugdale for Smith (35), Stephen O’Farrell for Dugdale (57), Aaron Kelly for Lane (60).

Castletown Geoghegan: Ciaran O’Brien; Paul O’Sullivan, Ryan Boyne, Liam Maxwell; Alan Conlon, Mikey Lynam, Killian Jackson; Shane Doran, Eoin Kiernan; Shane Jackson, Odhrán Gavigan, Conor Lynch; Fergal O’Brien, Dean Slevin, Joe Clarke. Subs: Cormac Jackson for Lynch (h-t), Peter Murphy for Gavigan (45), Pauric Kane for K Jackson (45), K Jackson for O’Sullivan (inj., 56).

Referee: Barry Nea (Turin).