Egan hails Tyrrellspass after terrific championship victory

Tyrrellspass manager Ger Egan praised his players after they produced what he described as their “most rounded, 60-minute performance” of the season to defeat Coralstown/Kinnegad in the Westmeath senior football championship.

“It was a must-win game for both to progress, so we’re really happy,” Egan said. “I think it was the most rounded, 60-minute performance that we’ve had this season.”

The win was built on a strong first half when Evan Connell landed two vital points and Adam Flanagan added another.

“It was probably a five- or six-point wind, so we definitely needed to build a cushion,” Egan said. “It gave us that cushion at half-time; Kinnegad had to come out and attack us.

“I think we counteracted that fairly well. We defended well, and we protected that cushion. We chipped away when we needed to. It wasn’t perfect, but we got over the line.”

Egan admitted the breeze was a major factor. “It was definitely a five- or six-point wind.

“But I think it died down a little bit in the second half, to our favour.

“The kick-out is a big part of the game without the wind, so we had to manage that as well, and I think the lads did.”

Tyrrellspass steadied the contest after the restart with early scores: “We ran the ball well at them, which is what you have to do against the wind,” Egan explained. “I think we got our match-ups fairly right at the back to shut down their two-point shooters.

“They got one or two away and missed a couple of frees, but overall it was fairly positive.”

Kinnegad did threaten after half-time, but Tyrrellspass stood firm.

“They’re a very good side, aggressive and well-coached, so they were always going to have a purple patch. We stemmed it and they didn’t put the points on the board to punish us. There’s plenty for us to work on, but we are trying to build game on game.”

The absence of Nigel Harte, sidelined with a cruciate injury, has forced others to step up.

“We’re very disappointed for Nigel,” Egan said. “But it’s the next man up, and Nigel knows that.

“There are five new lads getting their debuts this year, and it’s great to put them into an environment like that and show them the other side when you win games.”

Egan was also pleased to outwit former Westmeath manager Jack Cooney. “I highly respect Jack, but when you cross the white line, you’re going to war. In fairness, he was the first man to shake my hand.

“I doubt I’m going to get too many more over him, so I’ll take it.”

Meanwhile, Coralstown/Kinnegad manager Jack Cooney said he was disappointed with his side's display.

“We had two goal chances in the second half which would have been crucial had they gone in. But the first half wasn't good enough.

“You have to be at the pitch of it. Tyrrellspass had loads to play for and that's the way they played.

“And you need to be matching that with your attitude and your work rate around the pitch. So that was disappointing.

“But we still had chances in the second half, with the strong breeze on our back, but we just couldn't get the scoreboard working for us,” he observed.

It's all to play for in the final round: Tyrrellspass, with four points, are third in the group, while Coralstown/Kinnegad, with two points, sit in last place.

Tyrrellspass face St Loman's, Mullingar, who need to win, in the final round, while Coralstown/Kinnegad meet Athlone, who are on three points and desperately in need of victory also.