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Westmeath SFC final/Garrycastle 1-8 Castledaly 0-9: David O'Shaughnessy and Des Dolan inspired Garrycastle to their third Westmeath…

Westmeath SFC final/Garrycastle 1-8 Castledaly 0-9: David O'Shaughnessy and Des Dolan inspired Garrycastle to their third Westmeath senior football title in four years when beating near neighbours Castledaly at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

A Justin McAteer goal 10 minutes from the interval proved the difference between the sides.

The victory was built on the back of O'Shaughnessy's work rate, supported by Ciarán Ryan, Shaunie O'Donoghue, McAteer and of course Dolan.

McAteer's goal consolidated Garrycastle's early advantage, the centre forward fisting the ball to an empty net after Castledaly goalkeeper Paddy Golden had reacted brilliantly to deny Alan Daly.

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Dolan kicked all five of Garrycastle's first-half points, all from placed ball.

Castledaly started the second half in more determined fashion and Michael Gavin fired wide when a goal looked likely.

Golden kept his side in the game with a tremendous save from McAteer whose follow-up was turned away by Ken Larkin.

Throwing caution to the wind in the closing 10 minutes, Castledaly laid siege to the Garrycastle goal. MJ McLoughlin was presented with a decent opportunity but failed to find the target.

Garrycastle weathered the storm and all Castledaly had to show for their efforts were two late Derek Heavin and Damian Dolan points.

GARRYCASTLE: C Mullin; T McHugh, K Henson, P Rattigan; D Harte, S O'Donoghue, E Mulvihill; C Ryan, D O'Shaughnessy; J Duignan (0-1), J McAteer (1-0), P Mulvihill (0-1); A Daly (0-1), D Dolan (0-5), D Ryan. Subs: P Dillon for D Ryan, R Fox for Daly, J O'Shaughnessy for Duignan.

CASTLEDALY: P Golden, A Kelly, K Larkin, C Henson, E Kelly, R Casey, D Heavin (0-1), G Duffy, N Duffy (0-1), A Fitzgerald, MJ McLoughlin, D Dolan (0-3), M Gavin, M Duffy (0-2), J P Casey (0-2). Subs: P Kelly for Fitzgerald, J Galvin for Gavin.

Referee: Seán Carroll (The Downs).