Published: Tuesday, 23rd September, 2008 12:00pm

Clonkill defeat Castletown-Geoghegan in high scoring semi-final clash

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Castletown-Geo. 1-11, Clonkill 1-15

Andrew Mitchell, Clonkill with ball in hand gets past Joe Clarke, Castletown Geoghegan before clearing upfield in this action shot from last Sunday’s Westmeath Senior Hurling Championship semi-final

Clonkill, the defending Westmeath Senior Hurling Champions qualified for the 2008 Senior Hurling Championship final as a result of their semi-final success over Castletown-Geoghegan in a well contested sho down in Cusack Park last Sunday evening, September 21.

The champions raced three points clear in as many minutes at the start of the semi-final and it looked as if Castletown-Geoghegan were totally out of sorts and maybe heading for a heavy defeat.

However, that is not how it actually turned out, for although Clonkill led by a margin of four points after ten minutes of play and by the same margin with six minutes of normal playing time remaining in the first half, the black and ambers were still very much in contention. In fact, Castletown-Geoghegan, after their somewhat faltering start improved in leaps and bounds as the first half unfolded. The black and ambers finished the first half very strongly, hitting over four unanswered points prior to half time to ensure parity at the interval.

The challangers took the contest to the champions in the early stages of the second half, taking the lead with a well taken point. With the gauntlet flung down to them, Clonkill to their credit, picked it up, firing over three points in rapid succession. But such was the nature of this semi-final, that Castletown-Geoghegan quickly drew level. At the midway point of the second half, the teams were on level terms and it was still all to play for.

With the champions ahead by a point with ten minutes of normal playing time remaining, they made a vital breakthrough, scoring a goal. Clonkill drove on from that point and were six points clear with a little over two minutes remaining. To their credit, Castletown-Geoghegan continued to make a game of it, scoring a late, late goal to set up a very exciting finale. But Clonkill"s nerve held firm, securing for themselves a place in the decider versus the winners of the Raharney v. St. Oliver Plunketts replay.

Clonkill were well served last Sunday by Eoin Price, Adam Price, Fergal Fagan, Andrew Mitchell, Sean Loughlin, Paddy Dowdall, Alan Dowdall, Brendan Murtagh, Luke Folan and Christopher Austin. Best for Castletown-Geoghegan were Gary Jackson, Emmet Dalton, Peter Dalton, Alan Mangan, Derek Gallagher, Patrick Clarke, Ronan Whelan and Joseph Clarke.

From the first throw in Clonkill were quickly on to the offensive winning a free for themselves in the process. That free was duly pointed by Brendan Murtagh and Clonkill were a point to the good. The green and golds then doubled their lead, Alan Dowdall firing over a point after the ball was played towards the Castletown-Geoghegan uprights by Luke Folan. The Clonkill number 12 picked up an injury in the build-up to that score and he had to be replaced temporarily by Shane Power. Power showed his ability when he laid off a fine pass to Christopher Austin, who duly hit over an excellent point.

As the black and ambers searched for their opening score of the contest, Peter Dalton laid off a very good pass to Robert Jackson. However, the latter"s parting shot drifted wide of the Clonkill uprights. Castletown-Geoghegan continued to keep up the pressure on the Clonkill rearguard, and Adam Price came to his side"s rescue with a timely clearance after Keith Gorry had lobbed the ball into the Clonkill goalmouth. From the clearance Clonkill moved into attack, and the restored Luke Folan played a one-two with Fergal Fagan before going on to strike over an excellent point.

Castletown-Geoghegan eventually notched their opening score of the contest, Patrick Clarke striking over a fine point. Brendan Murtagh was off the mark before the champions attacked again as Mark Keegan laid off a pass to Larry Donoghue.

The Clonkill number 14 fired a low, angled drive goalwards but the ball crashed into the Castletown-Geoghegan side netting. Robert Jackson of Castletown-Geoghegan then picked up a yellow card for a high tackle on Paddy Dowdall. As a result of the same incident, Patrick Clarke collected a facial injury which forced his temporary retirement from the contest. From the free awarded for the foul Andrew Mitchell fired the ball wide. Another Clonkill wide then followed before Joe Clarke fired wide for the black and ambers.

Castletown-Geoghegan then made further inroads into Clonkill"s lead, Robert Jackson shooting over a superb point. Clonkill quickly responded, Brendan Murtagh firing over a point from a 50m free. Castletown-Geoghegan goalkeeper Gary Jackson then came to the rescue of his team, making a superb save at point blank range to deny a goal to Luke Folan"s piledriver. Clonkill did go on to extend their lead shortly afterwards, Christopher Austin striking over a fine point.

The black and ambers brought themselves back into contention when firstly, Alan Mangan slotted over a point from a 60m free. Then Joe Clarke fired over a splendid point, and the margin dividing the teams was down to just two points. But Castletown-Geoghegan then had a let-off in defence when Alan Dowdall kicked the ball high to the net past Gary Jackson but he was penalised for over carrying. Robert Jackson then pointed to bring the margin dividing the teams to the minimum.

Castletown-Geoghegan were finishing the first half in confident mode, Robert Jackson giving Derek Gallagher a point scoring opportunity. However the resulting parting shot from the black and ambers number 8 drifted wide of the Clonkill uprights. Castletown-Geoghegan did draw level shortly afterwards, Ronan Whelan firing over a point. Patrick Clarke then had an opportunity to edge the black and ambers in front. However, he fired wide with his point scoring attempt. First half action concluded with Alan Dowdall shooting wide. The half time score was Clonkill 0-6 Castletown-Geoghegan 0-6.

Castletown-Geoghegan had the first scoring opportunity of note in the second half, but it was not availed of, Ronan Whelan firing wide. However, the same player quickly made amends, sending over a point to put his team in front for the first and, as it turned out, the only time. That lead was short lived, Brendan Murtagh quickly shooting a match levelling point for the champions. Larry Donoghue edged Clonkill in front with a looping point from a very acute angle. Christopher Austin then fired wide for the champions who did however double their lead shortly afterwards with Brendan Murtagh converting a 75m free.

The challengers kept themselves in contention, Eamonn Óg Clarke shooting a point to bring back the margin to the minimum. Andrew Mitchell fired wide for Clonkill from a long range free before Alan Mangan tied up matters for the black and ambers when he pointed a 40m free. That free was awarded for a foul on Robert Jackson.

Clonkill quickly regained the match lead when Christopher Austin expertly and in such a majestic fashion, stroked over a point from a sideline award. The champions doubled their lead when Brendan Murtagh lofted over a point from a 60m free. The challengers continued to keep in contention, Alan Mangan hitting over a point from a 20m free.

The key moment in this semi-final was just around the corner and it went very much in favour of Clonkill. Sean Loughlin, with time and space very much in his favour, initiated the move striking a very long ball towards the Castletown-Geoghegan uprights. As it dropped on the fringes of the Castletown-Geoghegan goalmouth, Brendan Murtagh got an all important touch to the ball to divert it low to the bottom left corner of the Castletown-Geoghegan net for the all important goal.

The champions then added to their tally of wides before increasing their lead with Alan Dowdall hitting over a point following a Larry Donoghue struck centre. Blaine Lehart fired wides for the black and ambers before they reduced the leeway via a 65m free that was pointed by Alan Mangan. Clonkill again moved five points clear when Brendan Murtagh avaiiled of a good pass from Shane Power, by now in the contest as a regular substitute, to fire over a point. A Clonkill lead of five points became six with Luke Folan firing over a point after obtaining a good pass from Brendan Murtagh.

Castletown-Geoghegan put together a good attacking move, which failed to result in any score however, Patrick Clarke sending the ball wide of the Clonkill uprights. The black and ambers attacked again, Clonkill goalkeeper Eoin Price diving to his left in a crowded goalmouth to keep the ball out of the net at the expense of a 65. From that award, taken by Alan Mangan, the ball was lobbed into a crowded goalmouth. Conor Daly got an all important touch to the ball to divert the ball into the Clonkill net, despite the best efforts of a diving Eoin Price. In response, Alan McGrath was wide of the mark for Clonkill with a point scoring attempt.

Clonkill extended their lead to a margin of four points when Brendan Murtagh pointed a close range free. Castletown-Geoghegan attacked, winning a 20m free at an acute angle to the Clonkill uprights. The free was taken by Alan Mangan who lobbed the ball into the goalmouth. The ball came to Clonkill"s Alan McGrath, whose clearance was blocked by Conor Daly, which sent the ball spinnings towards the top right corner of the Clonkill net. Eoin Price made a smart save, at the expense of conceding yet another a 65. As the ball dropped short of the Clonkill uprights the referee brought match action to a close to leave the final score: Clonkill 1-15 Castletown-Geoghegan 1-11.

Clonkill team and scorers: Eoin Price, Stephen Cleary, Adam Price, Fergal Fagan, John Fagan, Andrew Mitchell, Sean Loughlin, Conrad Reilly, Paddy Dowdall, Alan Dowdall 0-2, Brendan Murtagh 1-7 (0-5 frees), Luke Folan 0-2, Mark Keegan, Larry Donoghue 0-1, Christopher Austin 0-3. Substitutes: Shane Powere for Mark Keegan; Alan McGrath for John Fagan; Gerard Fagan for Larry Donoghue.

Castletown-Geoghegan team and scorers: Gary Jackson, John Gallagher, Emmet Dalton, Kevin Jackson, David Langan, Peter Dalton, Alan Mangan 0-4 (frees), Derek Gallagher, Patrick Clarke 0-1, Eamonn Óg Clarke 0-1, Keith Gorry, Ronan Whelan 0-2, Robert Jackson 0-2, Joseph Clarke 0-1, Blane le Hart. Substitutes: Barry Whelan for Kevin Jackson, Sean Whelan for Keith Gorry, Conor Daly (1-0) for Eamonn Óg Clarke.

Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Oliver Plunketts Hurling Club).