Caulry always in the driving seat

Sometimes the score doesn"t lie and this was certainly a case of that as Caulry showed why they are one of the favourites for the Junior title when they completely outplayed a gallant Loughnavalley side in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Sunday evening last.From 1 to 15 Caulry are a well drilled outfit and under the guidance of Shane Curran, the former Roscommon goalie, they have a certain kind of panache about them that marks them down as championship favourites and an automatic return to Intermediate status.They still have some players to come back into the team most notably Alan Fitzpatrick, the county minor, who is sitting exams at the moment and it is clear to see they are going to be hard to stop.They play a nice brand of simple football that suits their players and they have a very resolute defence that works in tandem with each other and they put teams away when they get the opportunity, a good sign for any team. The "Valley gave absolutely 100% and they are to be commended for that but they were simply out of their depth and from an early stage it was always going to be damage limitation. Two late goals were possibly a little harsh on them but they knew they were only second best here.Alan Carroll got the ball rolling early for Caulry when he converted after a super move involving Ernie Buckley and Eddie Egan. Paul Donoghue levelled matters seconds later after a poor mistake in the Caulry defence from a Steve McManus line ball. Brendan Clarke in the Loughnavalley goal then brought off two good saves when he denied Egan but on the follow up Gary Flanagan fisted over. Egan then got on the score board himself when he converted another good Caulry move while Peter Smith added a free shortly afterward. Alan Giblin got one back for the "Valley after a storming run and kick from distance and Donoghue brought his side within one when a breaking ball in the square was not dealt with. That however would be Loughnavalley"s last score for 30 minutes as Caulry began to up a gear. Two Alan Carroll points pushed them well ahead but they were guilty of spurning some very easy chances, some absolutely guilt edged, but at the break they led 0-6 to 0-3 and were fully deserving of it.DifferentCaulry came out a different side in the second half and they really upped the ante. Points from Donoghue, Smith and a Carroll free put them virtually out of Loughnavalley"s range and when Carroll converted another free on 41 minutes they led by seven points and were cruising Brian Tyrrell did pull one back for the "Valley with a free but it seemed to only upset Caulry and after Carroll had pointed another easily conceded free, Donoghue was on hand to tap in a Carroll effort that was just parried and even at that stage the game was over. Caulry were in flying form now and they cut through the "Valley defence for Smith to score from a move that started on his own 14 yard line.Ken Rigney pulled one back for the "Valley but it was mere respite as Caulry went straight down the field, through each of the forwards hands and eventually Carroll was on hand to finish a superb move to the net for goal number two. Tyrrell pointed a free for Loughnavalley as the game began to peter out but sub Anselm Fitzgerald finished the game off in style when he rattled the back of the Loughnavalley net with a marvellous goal that sealed a magnificent win that was enjoyable to watch.Carroll, Smith, Donoghue and Ernie Buckley were devastating for the Caulry forward line and their interlinking was immense and mesmerising at times. Gary Flanagan and Declan Donoghue at midfield were dominant and fed the ball in well while at the back Damian Dolan was the pick again and is showing what a fine footballing talent he is. Tomas O"Flatharta could do worse than have a look at the Mount Temple lad. He was easily the man of the match and held a resolute Caulry defence together at times. For the "Valley Steve McManus and Alan Giblin tried their best in a very beleaguered defence while goalie Brendan Clarke could not be faulted for any of the goals and made a couple of good saves to boot but up front they were very shot shy and lacked a natural scorer. The result possibly does them no justice but sometimes you"ve got to take it on the chin and move on which is what Caulry have done since they were relegated.Scorers: Caulry - Alan Carroll 1-6, 4 frees, Peter Smith 0-3 2 frees, Michael Donoghue 1-1, Anselm Fitzgerald 1-0, Gary Flanagan and Edward Egan 0-1 each.Loughnavalley - Brian Tyrrell 0-2 free and Paul Donoghue 0-2, Alan Giblin and Kenneth Rigney 0-1 each.Caulry: Joe McMahon, Damian Dolan, Johnny Buckley, Pat Buckley, Ciaran Allen, Alan Rigney, Keith McMenamin, Gary Flanagan, Declan Donoghue, Ernie Buckley, Peter Smith, Cormac Fox, Alan Carroll, Edward Egan, Michael Donoghue. Subs: Nicky Killane for Declan Donoghue 50 mins, Johnny Dolan for Egan and Anselm Fitzgerald for Carroll 55 mins.Loughnavalley: Brendan Clarke, Phillip McCabe, Bobby Elliffe, Gerry Clarke, Derek Newman, Alan Giblin, Steve McManus, Sean Ruane, Colm Ruane, Kenneth Rigney, Johnny Masterson, Vinny Ahearn, Brian Tyrrell, Darren Rigney, Paul Donoghue. Subs: Johnny Hegarty for McCabe 45 mins, Peter Kelly for Ahearn 52mins, Stephen Heduan for Elliffe 55 mins, Eddie Byrne for Colm Ruane 60 mins.Referee: Rob Cornally Mullingar Shamrocks.