Westmeath Under-15 Football Division 1semi-final replay: Garrycastle 2-11 Mullingar Shamrocks 2-8

Garrycastle ended the title hopes of our Under-15 boys with a deserved victory in this semi-final replay on Sunday morning. Karl Henson’s charges emerged deserved victors after another titanic struggle to book their final place in two weeks. Garrycastle dominated the early stages and established an 0-4 to 0-1 lead after twelve minutes. A quickly taken free provided Niadh Shine with a great goalscoring opportunity but fortunately for Shamrocks the full-forward shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Rory McCaul equalised by finishing what was a fine team movement. A great block by Ty Masterson deprived Garrycastle but Niadh Shine with a superb kick pointed the resultant 45. Adam Buckley saved well before James McHugh twice pointed frees to send Garrycastle into an 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Paul Keating pointed from play, a 45 quickly taken to Ben McNamee was also pointed and Padráig Casey pointed a free to equalise. Paul Keating’s second point from play sent Shamrocks ahead before Tom McHugh pointed his third free to send the teams into the halftime break on level terms (0-5 each).

Rory McCaul pointed Shamrocks ahead early in the second half, but Darragh Glennon’s simple tap-in goal restored the Garrycastle lead. A goal conceded rather than created. Shamrocks responded in style and a great turnover by James Flynn ended several passes later when Rory McCaul crashed the ball to the Garrycastle net. James McHugh pointed his fourth free and was gifted a fifth point, and the lead for Garrycastle, when the ball was passed directly back to goalkeeper Adam Buckley from the resultant restart (1-7 to 1-6). McHugh pointed from play before Paul Keating found the range for Shamrocks with a similar score. James Dolan and McHugh added two points to the Garrycastle total before McHugh calmly slotted home a penalty to extend the Garrycastle lead to six points (2-10 to1-7).

Ronan Byrne, James Flynn and Criostóir Ormsby led a spirited fight back with Criostóir’s late goal leaving only two points between the sides. In injury time Criostóir fielded another long delivery and his left footed pile driver struck the inside of the post and somehow rebounded to safety. James McHugh, the most influential player on the field (Dessie himself would have been happy with some of his pointed frees) added a point before Kieran Daly’s final whistle ended Shamrocks hopes for 2022.

Garrycastle were deserving victors despite our lads’ best efforts. The Shamrocks’ team showed great courage to fight back, and the home side were relieved to emerge victorious. It was the sides’ fourth competitive meeting this year and every game has been fiercely contested but also played in a wonderful spirit.

The team mentors Oliver Keating, Barry Maguire, Matt Ledwith and Barry Kelly thanked the players afterwards for their unstinting efforts all year and for being a great group of lads to manage, the side played 18 competitive matches, won 15, drew 1 and lost 2 with a Division 1 league title their reward.

Sunday marked Tommy Idowu’s last game for the time being in a Shamrocks’ jersey as his family have relocated and there were emotional scenes in the dressing room afterwards as Tommy’s teammates acknowledged his contribution.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Thomas Idowu, Zac Coyne; Ronan Byrne, Ben McNamee (0-1), James Flynn; Criostóir Ormsby (1-0), Ty Masterson; Charlie Foy, Rory McCaul (1-2), Paul Keating (0-4); Padraig Casey (0-1), Andrew Opala and Ted Aherne.

Panellists: Tommy Daly, Andrew Gavigan, Isaac Haughey, James Heffernan, Rory Kilmartin, Declan Newman, James Ryan, Jack Toal, Brian Wycherley