Sport

Experience tells as Dolan guides Garrycastle to hat-trick of titles

WESTMEATH SFC FINAL REPLAY Garrycastle 1-9 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-9: GARRYCASTLE WON their first hat-trick of Westmeath senior…

Mon Oct 24 2011 - 01:00

WESTMEATH SFC FINAL REPLAY Garrycastle 1-9 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-9:GARRYCASTLE WON their first hat-trick of Westmeath senior football titles in appalling weather at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday afternoon, with a three-point win over Mullingar Shamrocks in the replay of the county final.

Just over 1,500 fans turned up on a truly miserable day, but they were still treated to a fine first half, with the underdogs from Mullingar, in particular, playing some outstanding football.

A soft goal from James Duignan put the champions ahead after just four minutes. However, Ray Smyth’s charges rattled over some terrific points from play, with the manager’s son Aonghus accounting for two of them. Darragh Daly’s point in the 26th minute was the last of the half and Shamrocks’ last of the contest. At the break, it was Mullingar Shamrocks 0-9 Garrycastle 1-3.

Early in the second half, a heavy challenge on the influential Daly was the turning point as the promising midfielder eventually had to be replaced. Some uncertain handling from Mullingar’s goalkeeper Philip Shaw, albeit in dreadful conditions, gifted a couple of handy frees for Dessie Dolan as Garrycastle’s experience began to show.

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Dolan’s sixth point in the 54th minute put the holders two points to the good and a range of attacks by Mullingar Shamrocks yielded no tangible reward. Seánie O’Donoghue wrapped up the title with a great point from 35 metres with the last kick of the game.

GARRYCASTLE: C Mullin; M McCallon, J Gaffey, A Fox; K Henson, D Harte (0-1), E Mulvihill; S O'Donoghue (0-1), D O'Shaughnessy; P Dillon, J Duignan (1-0), R McGowan (0-1); D Dolan (0-6, five frees), J Dolan, P Mulvihill. Subs: G Dolan (for Fox, h-t), C Cosgrove for Duignan (42 mins), A Daly for Dillon, (45 mins), J McAteer for McGowan (52 mins), E Monaghan (for Daly (60+1 mins).

MULLINGAR SHAMROCKS: P Shaw (0-1, 45); D Miller, K Gavin, E Moore; D Gavin, M Curley (0-1), A Purcell; D Daly (0-1), D O'Donoghue; A Clinton, D Corroon (0-1), A Smyth (0-2); F Spellman, L Smyth (0-1, free), S Quinn (0-2). Subs: C Curley for Daly (42 mins), C Daly for Clinton (45 mins), C O'Leary for Quinn (47 mins), P Joyce (for Purcell (58 mins), P Christie for Miller (60+3 mins).

Referee: P Fox(Rosemount).