Gaelic Games

St Loman’s bridge 50-year gap as they claim Westmeath title

David Whelan’s 47th minute goal helps Mullingar club pip Tyrrellspass

Mon Oct 14 2013 - 01:00

St Loman’s, Mullingar 1-16 Tyrrellspass 0-15

St Loman’s, Mullingar bridged a 50-year gap when they were crowned as Westmeath senior football champions for the fourth time, deservedly defeating Tyrrellspass by a four-point margin in Mullingar yesterday afternoon.

On an ideal afternoon for football, St Loman’s – who were never headed over the course of the game – raced into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead by the 20th minute. Two of these points came from John Heslin – scorer of an astonishing 2-16 in their semi-final win over Garrycastle – but the spread of scorers augured well for the local team, with Shane Dempsey, Conradh Reilly, Paul Sharry and Ciaran Kilmurray also finding the target.

Ger Egan, who was by far their most influential player over the hour, opened Tyrrellspass’ account from a free in the 23rd minute. With veteran full forward Martin Flanagan now operating at midfield, his side came more into the game. Flanagan’s sublime point helped his side to stay in touch, with Egan and Heslin continuing to convert frees at either end. At the break, St Loman’s led by 0-10 to 0-5.

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Dean McNicholas narrowed the gap within 20 seconds of the resumption. Three more successful frees from Egan and another tremendous point from play by Flanagan had the sides tied at 0-10 each by the 38th minute. St Loman’s then took control again and added four unanswered points by the end of the third quarter, including two from play by Heslin.

The decisive score came in the 47th minute when youthful corner forward Shane Dempsey, who had already bagged three points from play, turned provider by teeing up overlapping wing back David Whelan who finished to the net with aplomb. With their marquee forward Denis Glennon way below his best, Tyrrellspass were unable to fashion a second comeback and two Heslin frees kept the scoreboard ticking over for St Loman’s in the closing stages of an exciting contest.

St Loman's, Mullingar: S Gallagher; S Gilmore, S Flynn, A Carroll; G Glennon, P Dowdall, D Whelan (1-0); C Kilmurray (0-1), P Sharry (0-1); E Price, W McGovern (0-1), C Reilly (0-1); K Reilly, J Heslin (0-8, 4f), S Dempsey (0-3). Subs: G Hickey (0-1) for C Reilly (inj., 25), J O'Toole for Dowdall (inj., 46), D Rushe for Carroll (55), B Murphy for McGovern (60).

Tyrrellspass: D Quinn; E O'Neill, J Gonoud, B Gavin; D Jessop, P Sheridan, S Arthur; G Egan (0-10, 9f), D McNicholas (0-1); C Slevin, David Glennon, A O'Brien; B Slevin, M Flanagan (0-2), Denis Glennon (0-1). Subs: Cathal Daly for O'Brien (h-t), Ciaran Daly (0-1) for C Slevin (46), S Quinn for Arthur (51), R Dunbar for Sheridan (54).

Referee: N Ward (Garrycastle).