Clonkill claim eleventh title in entertaining county final

Clonkill rose to joint third in the roll of honour when they claimed their 11th Westmeath senior hurling crown (and third this decade) with a fully-merited four-points win over Lough Lene Gaels in an entertaining decider at Cusack Park last Sunday afternoon.The men in green and gold regained the title they surprisingly lost to Raharney last year with a fine all-round display, including some excellent points in both halves, particularly from their attacking talisman, Brendan Murtagh.While their only goal had more than a touch of luck about it, much of their play was top-class, bringing back fond memories of their wonderful All-Ireland intermediate win in Croke Park some 19 months ago.For their part, the Collinstown men played a major role in a very competitive but sporting game, but their wait for an eighth Westmeath Examiner Cup will have to continue until 2010, at least. A couple of missed frees at crucial junctures in the second half left the purple and golds with too much to do in the closing stages and a resolute winners' defence held firm.Some 2,700 spectators turned up on a pleasant afternoon at Westmeath GAA headquarters for this eagerly-awaited clash of two of the traditional hurling powers in the county. In truth, the Gaels had the majority of the support as they attempted to bridge a seven-year gap, but they are likely to concede that Pat O'Toole's charges were the better-balanced side over the hour. The usual pre-match pageantry included an eye-catching musical display from the Mullingar Town Band. A minute's silence was impeccably observed for recently-deceased Gaels, Joe Quinn (St. Brigid's), Paddy McHugh (Milltown and St. Loman's) and Des Carter (Collinstown), before Denise Fulham's rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.One of the country's top referees, Barry Kelly, then got proceedings underway, having initially warned a player from each side to curb their over-exuberance as they awaited the sliotar from the throw-in. Lough Lene Gaels had the assistance of a useful wind in the first half. It was clear from the outset that both sides were fired up, but a lack of composure prevented them from troubling the scoreboard operator. However, veteran Gaels defender Christo Murtagh was very much to the fore with a couple of trademark clearances. In the fifth minute, Killian Cosgrove was fouled some 30 metres from goal and the losers' captain dusted himself down before slotting over the opening score of the game. Clonkill soon levelled, Brendan Murtagh converting a 45-metre free. The first score from open play ensued, David Cunningham's high strike for the purple and golds from over 60 metres just creeping inside the upright. The two number 11s then exchanged quality points, Brendan Murtagh availing of fine play by Larry Donoghue to hit a superb point under pressure and Derek McNicholas also scoring a classy point at the other end, when set up by Pauric Fitzsimons.The green and golds got a lucky break in the 12th minute when Mark Briody most untypically fumbled a seemingly innocuous shot from Eoin Price and an alert Larry Donoghue accepted the gift by poking the ball into the Gaels net. Killian Cosgrove replied with a point from a 45-metre free, but this was immediately cancelled out when Shane Power freed Paddy Dowdall to fire Clonkill into a two-points lead. The latter player proceeded to miss a scoreable opportunity at the midpoint of the half. In the 17th minute, Brendan Murtagh's class again came to the surface with a fabulous point from near the sideline on the 45-metre line. Dan Carty tapped over an opportunist point for the Gaels and the deficit remained at two points when Brian Murray did very well to hold Derek McNicholas' long-range shot.The large Collinstown support were on their feet in the 20th minute, Killian Cosgrove picking out Dan Carty who bore down on goal and his low drive flashed past Brian Murray. The winners equalised within two minutes, Andrew Mitchell pointing a '65', awarded after Paddy Dowdall's shot at the end of a long solo was deflected over the endline. The two centre half backs, Christo Murtagh (open play) and Andrew Mitchell (a free) were just off target with long-range efforts, before Alan Dowdall spoiled fine approach work with a brace of wides in quick succession. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Killian Cosgrove was unlucky to see his very difficult free go wide via the upright and Eoin Price made the most of this let-off when he rifled over a terrific point under pressure from 60 metres. Soon, Brian Murray brilliantly held the sliotar under his own crossbar from Derek McNicholas' 100-metres free. At the other end, Larry Donoghue hesitated when a score seemed likely. In added-time, Andrew Mitchell pointed his second '65' of the afternoon to put Clonkill ahead at the break by 1-7 to 1-5, with the wind in their favour on the change of ends.The champions-elect got off to a great start to the second half when Andrew Mitchell whipped over a wonderful point from his own 65-metre line. After Darragh McCormack was legally bundled out of possession near the Clonkill goal, the Gaels found the range when Noel Conaty set up Derek McNicholas for a lovely point from near the sideline. Alan Dowdall's industry eventually paid off when he scored a terrific point on the run in the sixth minute. The tit-for-tat scoring continued with Dan Carty's neat backward flick teeing up David Cunningham for a well-taken point. However, the next three points all came from Clonkill men to open a bit of daylight by the midpoint of the half. A fine catch and lay-off by Brendan Murtagh freed Shane Power to open his account. Christopher Austin made an instant impact as sub when he took Alan Dowdall's pass and slotted over the winners' 11th point. After Killian Cosgrove was disappointingly wide from a 45-metre free, fine play from Clonkill skipper Sean Loughlin ended with Eoin Price whipping over a great point, despite stumbling as he shot. It was now 1-12 to 1-7 in Clonkill's favour.Eoin Price was wide from long range before the Gaels spurned another scoring opportunity, Killian Cosgrove's mishit '65' going wide of the posts. Gaels sub Philip Reilly could not make a decent contact with the ball when well positioned and Clonkill raced upfield with Brendan Murtagh teeing up Luke Folan who duly got his name on the scoresheet. Lough Lene Gaels badly needed a goal to made a significant dent in the six-points deficit and it duly arrived in the 21st minute when Derek McNicholas' 35-metre free went all the way to the net. However, Clonkill's response was instant, that man Brendan Murtagh again coming up trumps with a great point from 60 metres. Alan Dowdall should have increased the winners' advantage and when Killian Cosgrove slotted over a 35-metre free, the gap was down to three points with six minutes remaining on the countdown clock. Again, Brendan Murtagh demonstrated great class and composure by catching the sliotar from the ensuing puck-out and firing over his fourth outstanding point from play of the contest. Clonkill wasted a couple of chances to wrap up victory and deep in injury-time Derek McNicholas left just a goal separating the teams from a 30-metre free. However, Brendan Murtagh turned provider in the last action of the final when he picked out substitute Anthony Price who had the honour of scoring the last point of the match, to leave Clonkill as worthy Westmeath senior hurling champions for 2009.Moments later, Clonkill captain Sean Loughlin (who could easily have received a second yellow card late in the game) received the Westmeath Examiner Cup from Tom Farrell, chairman of the Westmeath GAA County Board, amidst joyous scenes.The new champions now face Laois opposition in early November in the Leinster senior club championship. They seem certain to give a very good account of themselves.Clonkill: Brian Murray; Steven Cleary, Martin Scally, Adam Price; Eoin Price (0-2), Andrew Mitchell (0-3, 0-2 from '65's), Sean Loughlin (capt); Fergal Fagan, Shane Power (0-1); Alan Dowdall (0-1), Brendan Murtagh (0-5, 0-1 from a free), Paddy Dowdall (0-1); Mickey Heffernan, Larry Donoghue (1-0), Luke Folan (0-1). Subs: Christopher Austin (0-1) (for Heffernan, 37 mins), John Fagan (for Fagan, 46 mins), Anthony Price (0-1) (for Folan, 59 mins), Ger Fagan (for Donoghue, 60 +2 mins).Lough Lene Gaels: Mark Briody; Patrick Simpkin, Martin Williams, Jim Connell; Jimmy Boyle, Christo Murtagh, Seamus Carroll; David Cunningham (0-2), Stephen Bardon; Killian Cosgrove (capt) (0-3, all from frees), Derek McNicholas (1-3, 1-1 from frees), Pauric Fitzsimons; Noel Conaty, Dan Carty (1-1), Darragh McCormack. Subs: Philip Reilly (for Bardon, 35 mins), Fergal Moran (for McCormack, 44 mins), Stephen Grace (for Conaty, 52 mins).Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Oliver Plunkett's).