Five star Caulry have too much scoring power for St Loman’s

Caulry 5-18, St Loman's 2-17

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Caulry’s ability to be ruthless in front of goal was the difference in this U20 championship victory over St Loman’s, Mullingar at Mount Temple on Tuesday evening of last week.

On a beautiful sunny evening, the all-weather pitch at Caulry GAA was in pristine condition and the teams combined to produce a very entertaining, fast-paced game of football. Both teams played the game direct and at pace, neither taking a backward step and the ball was refreshingly moved forward from the opening whistle.

Caulry’s opening goal was excellent and a good warning to the Mullingar based visitors. Tadhg Baker and Tiarnán O’Donovan were both involved with fast hands and centre-back Oisin Shortall finished the ball past Callum Butler Dolan in the St Loman’s goal.

As the teams exchanged scores in the first quarter, Brian Doyle and Lee Corcoran kicked points for Caulry, and those scores were responded to by a brace of frees from Mark Tunny and Daniel McCann.

Further quickfire scores came for Caulry from Doyle, Baker and Corcoran - all after fast combination play in the build-up. The pick of the bunch was a Tiarnán O’Donovan outside of the right boot score into the breeze.

The influential Baker then scored a goal, his rasper of a shot to the roof of the net giving Butler Dolan no chance.

John Paul scored Caulry’s third goal after good fielding by Doyle and a blistering run from Oisin Shortall in the build-up.

St Loman’s stayed in the game by the interval mainly through two excellent two-pointers by the impressive Tunny. The first was from play and the second came from a free.

Then just before the break, Tunny scored a morale-boosting goal, beating Fionn O’Donovan in the Caulry goal. At half-time, it was Caulry 3-9 St Loman’s 1-12.

After the resumption, Loman’s showed signs that they could get back into the game. Both Tunny and McCann kicked scores and they got on top in the early exchanges of the second half.

But Caulry weren't letting go and they continued to move the ball direct and at pace. The home side cut through the Loman’s defence time and again. Westmeath senior panellist Baker kicked a two-pointer and he then set up Doyle for another score. Cian Malone scored their fifth goal and the game was out of sight by the fourth quarter.

Seanaí Bracken scored Loman’s second goal in the 46th minute and they didn’t give up. They battled to the end, but they couldn’t find the goals they needed to match Caulry.

Caulry continued to find the target and they added late scores from full-back David Gaynor after yet another turnover, Oisin Shortall and Corcoran (a free). All this while midfielder Tiarnán O’Donovan was in the sin bin, after he was black carded for a check on a Loman’s player.

The Mount Temple/Baylin side finished off their scoring in the 60th minute. O’Donovan, now back on the field, kicked their final score to seal a very deserving win.

Caulry played a fast paced game with good support play, and their finishing was impressive. They could well be challengers for the championship at this level. Loman’s have a young side and, from their perspective, this campaign could serve as preparation for next year.

Player of the match: Tadhg Baker (Caulry). Baker used all his experience after playing a part for the Westmeath seniors this year to score crucial scores and dominate the midfield sector. Oisin Shortall, Brian Doyle, Tiarnán O’Donovan all played crucial roles. For St Loman’s, Mark Tunny, who finished with a tally of 1-11, led the way throughout.

Scorers – Caulry: T Baker 1-3 (1tp); L Corcoran 0-5 (2f); O Shortall 1-1; B Doyle 0-4; T O’Donovan 0-3; J Paul, C Malone and D Burns 1-0 each; D Gaynor and L Nolan 0-1 each. St Loman’s: M Tunny 1-11 (1tp, 1tpf, 5f); S Bracken 1-0; G Duggan and D McCann (1f) 0-2 each; S Plunkett and S Mulberry 0-1 each.

Caulry - Fionn O’Donovan; Dara Shortall, David Gaynor, Tristan Dolan; Michael McSharry, Oisin Shortall, Brendan McCormack; Tadhg Baker, Tiarnán O’Donovan; Brian Doyle, Lee Corcoran, Luke Nolan; Cian Malone, Dean Burns, John Paul.

St Loman’s, Mullingar - Callum Butler Dolan; Cillian Trainor, Ruairi Doonan, Bryon Graham; Seán Daly, John Casey, Seán Brennan; Shane Mulderry, Seanaí Bracken; Graham Duggan, Mark Tunny, Conor Caffrey; Eoin Meehan, Daniel McCann, Seán Plunkett. Subs used: James Gallagher, Conor Casey.

Referee - Enda Kelly (Castledaly).