Joyful return to senior ranks

After a gap of 28 years, Maryland made a winning return to the Westmeath SFC with a deserved five point victory over Bunbrosna at Hogan Park, Moate, last Sunday.This was a gritty display by Maryland and it could prove a vital victory in their bid to secure senior status for next season. Both these sides had probably targeted a win in this game in the hope of avoiding the relegation play-off at the end of the championship. A keen rivalry has developed between these teams in recent years, with Bunbrosna defeating Maryland in the 2006 intermediate championship final, after a replay. Bunbrosna lined out without the Newman brothers, Finian and Conor (although the latter made an appearance as a sub), and midfielder, Padraig Walsh, and it was always going to be difficult as a result. Backed by the strong wind in the first half, the Drumraney side led by 0-7 to 0-1 at half-time. But it was the manner in which they responded in the final quarter - after Bunbrosna had cut the deficit to three points (0-8 to 0-5) - that won the game. Finbar Egan"s charges scored the next three points with a splendid score from Callum McCormack starting the sequence. That trio of points gave Maryland a six-point lead and left Bunbrosna needing a goal, which rarely looked likely, if they were to salvage something from the game.Facing into the strong breeze, Bunbrosna gave themselves a boost inside the opening minute with an excellent point by wing-forward Noel Kiernan. Maryland were level a minute later, when Kieran Martin pointed a free after a foul on Anthony Reynolds. Maryland corner-forward then John Reilly played a one-two with Ronan Moran, before his shot was saved by Damien McCormack, at the expense of a "45". At the other end, Kenny Conroy embarked on an incisive solo run, but Maryland "keeper John Murray denied him a goal with a terrific save. In the eighth minute, David Martin swept over a free to put his side in front.The lively Kenny Conroy made a great catch close to the Maryland goals and he appeared to be fouled by the Maryland defence. Bun" had a strong case for a penalty but the referee ignored their pleas and, to add insult to injury, Kevin Tormey"s follow-up shot was flagged wide when it seemed to have gone between the posts.Bun" defenders Conor Lyons and Andrew Whitney were both harshly yellow-carded during the first half and perhaps it was just as well that the experimental rules weren"t being used in this game, as Bunbrosna"s already depleted resources would have been tested to the limit.Maryland"s next four points all came from frees, with David Martin, Kieran Martin (two) and David Reynolds (a huge kick from about 55 metres) the players on target, thereby opening up a five-point lead. Bunbrosna"s best chance of a score during this period fell to corner-back Sean Walsh but his tame shot was easily gathered by John Murray. The last score of the half was a fine 30th minute point from Callum McCormack, who had been moved from midfield to full-forward.Following a couple of wides shortly after the restart, impressive midfielder Aidan Finnan lifted Bunbrosna with a long-range point In the 39th minute, Peter Tormey pointed a free after he was fouled himself. A minute later, Maryland briefly halted Bunbrosna"s mini revival when Ronan Moran intercepted a handpass and fired over. Peter Tormey pointed a free and he repeated the trick in the 43rd minute. That left Bunbrosna just three points behind. However, a 48th minute point by Callum McCormack proved the turning point. McCormack gathered possession after David Martin played the ball across the goals and the Westmeath minor star did the rest. The genesis of that score stemmed from a poor kickout from Damien McCormack and Bunbrosna never recovered. John Reilly earned a free-in which Kieran Martin converted, and David Martin then seized on a breaking ball around midfield and sent over his third point. Bunbrosna never looked like getting the goal they needed. And all they could muster was a fine point by Peter Tormey, who severely lacked genuine support in attack throughout the game. Kieran Martin almost put icing on the cake after he cut through the Bun" defence, but goalie Damien McCormack deflected the ball out for a "45". That was changed into a "hop ball" as the referee adjudged Maryland to have been time-wasting, but, at that stage, it didn"t matter as the Drumraney men had secured a valuable senior championship victory.Scorers - Maryland: K Martin 0-4 (4f); D Martin 0-3 (2f); C McCormack 0-2; R Moran 0-1; D Reynolds 0-1f. Bunbrosna: P Tormey 0-4 (3f); N Kiernan, A Finnan 0-1 each.Maryland: John Murray; Trevor Farrell, Eoin Farrell, Conor Farrell; Darren Malynn, John Cunningham, Ronan Farrell; David Reynolds, Callum McCormack; Kieran Martin, Anthony Reynolds, Ronan Moran; John Reilly, David Martin, James Reynolds. Subs: Christy Grimes for Malynn (45 mins); Thomas Browne for J Reynolds (55); Stephen Martin for Reilly (62).Bunbrosna: Damien McCormack; Sean Walsh, Simon Moorehead, Liam Mitchell; Kevin Tormey, Andrew Whitney, Conor Lyons; Aidan Finnan, Niall Harte; Kevin Mitchell, Fintan Finnan, Noel Kiernan; Fintan Connaughton, Peter Tormey, Kenny Conroy. Subs: Padraig Tighe for Connaughton (h-t); Conor Newman for Harte (57 mins).Referee: Mick Mannion (Garrycastle).