Fourteen man Garrycastle prove too strong for old foes Athlone

Garrycastle’s greater score-taking ability was crucial to this convincing victory over near-neighbours Athlone in Saturday evening’s Westmeath Senior Football Championship quarter-final in Hogan Park, Moate.This win continues Garrycastle’s sequence of victories against Athlone in championship matches and, in truth, the vanquished side could have no complaints about the outcome.Even though Garrycastle had to play the entire second half with fourteen men - corner-back Tom McHugh was sent off on a straight red card towards the end of the first period - Athlone never looked like overturning the half-time deficit of four points (0-8 to 0-4).Athlone were overly dependent on the free-taking expertise of team captain Joe Fallon - who landed four points from deadballs - and the goal they needed to really ignite their challenge never looked like arriving.With so much at stake between these two fierce rivals, there were plenty of niggly exchanges, Garrycastle captain Doran Harte getting involved with Mickey Greene before the ball was even thrown in. Indeed, Greene was on the receiving end of plenty of close attention throughout and Tom McHugh was shown his red card for an off-the-ball challenge on the Athlone attacker.In the second minute, Dessie Dolan opened the scoring with a splendid point. The same player was then involved in the move which led to Paul Dillon’s shot being deflected out for a ‘45’.Athlone drew level when Joe Fallon curled over a free. John Connellan was then off target after he was found by a good pass from Alan Gaughan, but Athlone did go ahead, for the only time, courtesy of a fine individual score by Dermot McManus.In the 12th minute, Dessie Dolan set up Paul Dillon for his first point, and then a foul by Gary Quinn on Patrick Mulvihill led to a pointed free for Dolan. On 16 minutes, Justin McAteer played a one-two with Dolan and burst forward to score a fine point. Joe Fallon pointed the free from about 40 metres to leave just a point between the teams but the next four points were all scored by Garrycastle as the county champions opened up clear daylight.A late foul by Gaughan on Dessie Dolan saw Dillon convert a close-range free A fine catch in his own goalmouth by Justin McAteer relieved the pressure on the Garrycastle defence, before James Dolan set up his cousin, Dessie for a point at the other end. Garrycastle were now very much in the ascendancy and Patrick Mulvihill to put his side four points up. A well-worked move involving Dillon and James Dolan then saw McAteer score his second.An incisive run by Brian Fogarty was eventually ended by a foul which led to Joe Fallon pointing the free. But before Fallon took the kick, Tom McHugh was red carded for an off-the-ball incident which left Mickey Greene on the ground.Shortly after the restart, Rory McGowan went for goal but Athlone ‘keeper Darren Costello saved comfortably at his near post. In the 37th minute, Alan Gaughan scored an point after a forceful run down the right.Garrycastle opted to introduce James Duignan in place of Alan Daly but Duignan was carrying a knock and was subsequently replaced by David O’Shaughnessy.After Paul Dillon and Joe Fallon swapped pointed frees, another good run by the prominent McGowan set up McAteer for his third point. In the 44th minute, an excellent score by Paul Dillon put ‘Castle five points ahead (0-11 to 0-6). John Connellan then converted a free from near the sideline.At the other end, Paul Dillon’s fifth point and a pointed free from Dessie Dolan left six points between the sides (0-13 to 0-7). Dolan’s free came after Athlone substitute John Stapleton was yellow-carded.A quick free by Joe Fallon set up John Connellan for a 60th-minute point. As the game moved into injury-time, Gary Quinn - who was Athlone’s ‘spare man’ for much of the second half - flicked the ball over the bar after Fallon sent a free into the goalmouth. But it was a goal that Athlone needed now. Instead, Garrycastle substitute Conor Cosgrove had the last word on the scoring front, with an exquisite kick from the left.Scorers - Garrycastle: P. Dillon 0-5 (2f); D Dolan 0-4 (2f); J McAteer 0-3; P Mulvihill, C Cosgrove 0-1 each.Athlone: J Fallon 0-4 (4f); J Connellan 0-2 (1f); D McManus, A Gaughan, G Quinn 0-1 each.Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin; Tom McHugh, John Gaffey, Alan Fox; Mark McCallon, Karl Henson, Doran Harte (capt.); Seanie O’Donoghue, Doran Harte; Rory McGowan, Dessie Dolan, James Dolan; Alan Daly, Paul Dillon, Patrick Mulvihill. Subs: James Duignan for Daly (37 mins); David O’Shaughnessy for Duignan (48); Conor Cosgrove for Mulvihill (60).Athlone: Darren Costello; Gary Quinn, David O’Neill, Fergal Murray; Tom Stuart-Trainor, Noel Mulligan, Brian Fogarty; Paul Bannon, Aidan St. John; Mickey Greene, Alan Gaughan, Dermot McManus; Dermot Bannon, John Connellan, Joe Fallon (capt.). Subs: Kevin Macken for P. Bannon (21 mins); Alan Kelly for O’Neill (43); John Stapleton for St. John (46).Referee: Sean Carroll (The Downs).