Loughlin Downs Kinnegad in absorbing Division 1 final
ACFL Division 1 final: The Downs 3-16, Coralstown/Kinnegad 2-14 (after extra-time)
The local ‘N4’ derby was the final showpiece of the league season as The Downs took on neighbours Coralstown/Kinnegad last Sunday, writes Jason Keelan.
At minor level, the two teams used to be combined as St Finian’s but friendships were put to one side on this occasion. It was Kinnegad who registered first. Some good strength by Brian Cooney, son of Westmeath manager Jack, allowed him to kick a fine point off the left.
Nerves were evident as both sides squandered possession early on. The first goal chance fell to Kevin O’Sullivan but his effort was well-saved by Stephen McNevin. Kinnegad tagged on two more scores in quick succession through Callum Cruise and Shane Fleming before Luke Loughlin got the black and amber off the mark for the day in response.
Kinnegad defenders seemed well prepared for the pace of The Downs attack and aimed to cut off the runners at the earliest chance. Frees from Ger Leech and Cooney on the quarter hour put four between the teams as The Downs struggled somewhat with their kickouts. A super mark under pressure by Loughlin gave him the chance to cut the deficit from the 21, which he did.
Moments later a nice move up the sideline involving Eoin O’Brien and Wayne Fox ended with Cooney finding himself near the endline. He used his strength to cut inside before slotting past Martin to put Kinnegad six ahead. The lead was out to seven before The Downs responded. Lovely play by O’Sullivan found Ciarán Nolan who rounded the keeper to slot home and create a sense of urgency that had been missing from The Downs until then.
Darragh Egerton was brought on before the break to try and help curb the threat posed by Cooney. Right before the break came a vital moment in the contest. Some solid build-up by Loughlin and Kilmartin ended with Martin fisting into an empty net to leave The Downs trailing by the minimum at half time.
The tide turned rapidly in the second half as scores by Kilmartin, Martin, Loughlin (penalty) and Tuite saw The Downs score 1-3 to the solitary 0-1 from Kinnegad inside the opening minutes. Shane Fleming did continue to be a thorn in the side for The Downs and his excellent score under pressure with fifteen minutes remaining kept his side in the mix.
As the rain began to pour heavily, conditions under feet became an issue for many players. It didn’t cause any issue for Danny Woods, however, as he drilled his shot to the net after Podge Quinn’s effort came back off the post when a point looked almost certain.
With the game now level with ten to go, tensions were high. Kinnegad took the lead back for the first time in almost half an hour after a great mark by Cooney once again. Leech and Tuite traded scores before Cooney, once again, showed his class with a superb score to put his side two up with as many minutes remaining.
The Downs, to their credit, refused to back down and substitute Jack Carroll kicked a great score with his first touch. After an end-to-end game, it seemed Kinnegad would hold on for the win as time elapsed. A loss of possession in the slippery conditions allowed Kevin O’Sullivan to find himself through on goal. He opted for the point when a goal could have been on. The game headed for extra time.
The fading light and torrential rain didn’t stop either side from finding scores. Darren Giles began the extra time with a great score before Kilmartin responded. Niall Mitchell and Loughlin (a ‘45’) added scores to make it 3-14 to 2-14 at half time in extra time.
With Kinnegad desperate for an equalised, The Downs found themselves through on goal from the halfway line on several occasions. Closing scores from Loughlin gave The Downs victory by five and cemented the Division 1 title.
Scorers – The Downs: L Loughlin 1-5 (1-0 pen, 1 ‘45’), I Martin 1-3, T Tuite 0-3 (2f), C Nolan 1-0, J Carroll 0-2, A Kilmartin, K O’Sullivan and N Mitchell 0-1 each. Coralstown/Kinnegad: B Cooney 1-4 (0-1f), S Fleming 0-4, D Woods 1-0, G Leech 0-2 (1f), C Cruise 0-2 (1f), W Fox and Darren Giles 0-1 each.
The Downs: Trevor Martin; Keith Carroll, Peter Murray, Eanna Burke; Conor Coughlan, Mark Kelly, Harry Caulfield; Jonathan Lynam, Charlie Drumm; Ciarán Nolan, Andrew Kilmartin, Kevin O’Sullivan; Ian Martin, Luke Loughlin, Tom Tuite. Subs used: Darragh Egerton for Carroll (25), Dean Egerton for Kilmartin (37), Niall Mitchell for Caulfield (44), Oisín Raleigh for I Martin (70), Joseph Moran for Coughlan (73), Adam Loughlin for Kelly (73).
Coralstown/Kinnegad: Stephen McNevin; Ronan Foley, Ciarán Daly, Josh Gahan; Eoin O’Brien, David Giles, Eoghan Bracken; James Maxwell, Ciarán Daly Jnr; Callum Cruise, Shane Fleming, Podge Quinn; Brian Cooney, Wayne Fox, Ger Leech. Subs: Ciarán Daly Jnr for Woods (30), Jason Lynch for Foley (33), Liam Daly for Quinn (35), Fergal Dardis for E Bracken (43), Darren Giles for Cruise (60), Stephen Bracken for Dardis (68), E Bracken for L Daly (70), Colm Murray for Daly (75).
Ref: Barry Pierce (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge).