Baker goal gets classy Caulry back on course

Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC Section A

Caulry 1-15, Tyrrellspass 1-12

Senan Baker's superbly taken first-half goal gave Caulry the platform to claim a fully deserved victory over Tyrrellspass in this Westmeath SFC clash at Hogan Park last Saturday evening.

Caulry's win saw them overturn the result of last year's quarter-final between the clubs and is a significant boost to the Mount Temple side's championship prospects.

Having conceded four goals in their opening round defeat to Coralstown/Kinnegad, the Caulry camp will be pleased with seeing their net breached on only one occasion last Saturday. That late Tyrrellspass goal, scored by lively substitute Kieran Geraghty, briefly raised hopes that the men in sky blue could salvage something from this entertaining contest, but Caulry responded to collect the two points on offer.

On a sunny but breezy evening in Moate, Tyrrellspass had wind advantage in the first half and they started with intent, Dean McNicholas sweeping the ball over the bar after Adam Flanagan won the throw-in. Two points from Ger Egan (one free) left Ryan Sheridan's side 0-3 to 0-1 ahead, before two frees from Senan Baker (adding to his opening score) levelled matters by the 13rd minute.

With midfielder Flanagan to the fore, Tommy Ryan put Tyrrellspass back in front but they were unable to open up any real daylight. A firmly struck shot into the stiff breeze by Damien Dolan, following good work from Paddy Sleator, brought Caulry level again.

The tit-for-tat nature of the exchanges continued, with Egan (a free) and Tadhg Baker (a fisted effort after a pass from his brother) on target at either end.

In the 24th minute, Senan Baker exploited some hesitancy in the Tyrrellspass defence and the Westmeath player showed admirable composure to find the net after being denied initially.

Veteran Denis Glennon, showing he still has plenty to offer, and the industrious Stephen Connolly swapped points before the interval, leaving Caulry leading 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time.

With the wind in their favour for the second half, the suspicion was that Caulry were well placed to kick on for victory. Such feelings were reinforced when Shane Curran's charges surged into a 1-10 to 0-7 lead. The Caulry scores during this spell came from Sleator (seconds after the throw-in), Senan Baker (a terrific individual score) and two from the impressive Tiarnán O'Donovan. The second of O'Donovan's points came from a brilliantly earned mark.

Ger Egan kept Tyrrellspass in touch from frees, before the introduction of Kieran Geraghty added zest to their attacking efforts.

Points from Geraghty and Egan cut the deficit to three points (1-10 to 0-10) by the 47th minute. Egan then surprisingly opted to take a scoreable free with his left foot and his wayward effort was a let-off for Caulry, who looked in danger of letting their lead slip away. Tadhg Baker gave the Mount Temple/Baylin men breathing space, having taken advantage of ample space down the right wing.

Caulry substitute Conor McCormack, still recovering from a recent illness, made his presence felt in the closing stages by kicking three long range points off his left foot. His first was a huge free from about 45 metres and one of his efforts from open play was awarded after the referee consulted with his umpires.

McCormack's scores were needed as Geraghty's smartly taken 58th-minute goal, having caught Flanagan's apparent scoring attempt, cut the arrears to three points.

Further points from Geraghty and Flanagan (with a goal his target) were all Tyrrellspass could add in the last few minutes as Caulry emerged as victors with three points to spare.

Man of the match: Tiarnán O’Donovan (Caulry). Senan Baker was obviously a very influential figure, but young O’Donovan tormented the Tyrrellspass defence throughout with his ability to win possession and take on defenders. Paddy Sleator, despite some stray passes early on, was always prominent and Tadhg Baker underlined his potential by scoring two points from wing-back.

For Tyrrellspass, Kieran Geraghty caught the eye with a contribution of 1-2 off the bench, while midfielder Adam Flanagan (especially in the early stages) and Ger Egan (though some of his shooting was untypically wayward) had their moments.

Talking point: Despite the theatrical protestations of Caulry manager Shane Curran, the decisions of referee Declan Nugent and his officials - who got far more right than wrong - were not a major factor in this game. There was one amusing moment when Curran was told to take off his glasses by someone who didn't agree with one of his outbursts. Quick as a flash, Curran retorted: "But these are prescription glasses".

Scorers - Caulry: S Baker 1-4 (0-3f); C McCormack 0-3 (1f); T Baker and T O’Donovan (1 mark) 0-2 each; D Dolan, S Connolly, P Sleator and C Murphy 0-1 each. Tyrrellspass: G Egan 0-6 (4f); K Geraghty 1-2; D McNicholas, T Ryan, Denis Glennon and A Flanagan 0-1 each.

Caulry: Jack Connaughton; Eoin Shortall, Kevin Maguire, Dylan Lowry; Tadhg Baker, Damien Dolan, Sean Fox; Stephen Connolly, Sean Doyle; Ben Moran, Paddy Sleator, Sean Murphy; Aaron Roarke, Senan Baker, Tiarnán O’Donovan. Subs used: Conor McCormack for Doyle (37 mins), Colin Murphy for Roarke (38), Darren Hynds for Dolan (47).

Tyrrellspass: Joe Hyland; Stephen Quinn, Cormac Monaghan, Jamie Corcoran; Jamie Gonoud, Conor Slevin, Aaron O'Brien; Adam Flanagan, Val Sizychas; Peter Pierson, Peter Clarke, Tommy Ryan; Denis Glennon, Dean McNicholas, Ger Egan. Subs used: Kieran Geraghty for Quinn, David Glennon for Pierson (both 41 mins); Evan Connell for Dean McNicholas (56).

Referee: Declan Nugent (Maryland).