Late surge helps Castlepollard topple Crookedwood

Castlepopllard 1-24, Crookedwood 2-13

Castlepollard deservedly emerged victorious from this entertaining Round 4 Senior 'B' clash against Crookedwood on Friday evening last, in a game that was played in Ringtown GAA on a perfect evening for hurling.

Overall, the margin of seven points certainly flattered Mick Murtagh’s charges, while Crookedwood now head into a final round clash with Brownstown knowing they need a win to qualify for a semi-final.

From the throw-in, Barry O’Mara gathered possession and drove the ball over the black spot from halfway to open the scoring for Crookedwood. This seemed to mobilise the Castlepollard men into action, and they proceeded to take control of matters for the next ten minutes. Andrew Dermody opened Castlepollard’s account with a point from play within seconds of O’Mara’s opener for Crookedwood. Darragh Tierney then scored three of the full range of points between the 2nd and 5th minutes, registering points via a free, 65 metre award and play.

Cody Ward added to Castlepollard’s tally with another point from open play. Andrew Dermody added a point from play after intercepting the Crookedwood puck-out, to move Castlepollard five-points clear; 0-6 to 0-1. Crookedwood were struggling, but two further Barry O’Mara points (a 65' and a free) left a goal between the teams after 15 minutes. The Pollard men took control once again as the game entered it’s second quarter. They registered four points, with an Allan Devine free following three points from play scored by Andrew Dermody, Shane Fagan and Allan Devine.

Crookedwood now found themselves seven points adrift; 0-10 to 0-3. The men from the Taughmon parish refused to capitulate. Points from play via the hurls of Liam de Clar and Barry O’Mara brought Crookedwood back to within five points of the fourteen-time Westmeath senior champions. Castlepollard restored their seven-point advantage, however, with further points from play from Allan Devine and the ever-accurate Andrew Dermody by the 28th minute. Dermody’s point was arguably the score of the game, which included great teamwork and crisp passing which started in the full back line with Ciaran Fagan.

The two teams exchanged one more point each in the 29th and 30th minutes through Adam Bate (Crookedwood) and Darragh Tierney. It was Castlepollard 0-13, Crookedwood 0-6 at half-time.

Castlepollard opened the second half with an early wide by Darragh Tierney from about 40 metres out. Crookedwood, assisted by the breeze, were more controlled and confident. Dylan O’Leary came to Castlepollard’s rescue early when he brilliantly blocked a shot from Barry O’Mara, who pointed for the Wood from the resultant 65'. Kevin Orme added another excellent point. Castlepollard responded and two Darragh Tierney points were sandwiched by points from Andrew Dermody in the 34th and 36th minutes. These quickfire scores moved Castlepollard into a healthy nine-point lead, and things were looking ominous for Crookedwood.

To their credit, Crookedwood responded with their most productive spell. Another O’Mara free was followed by a piercing run by Adam Bate who fired the ball to the back of the Pollard net, giving his side a lifeline. Shane McGovern added another point to leave four in it; Castlepollard 0-17 Crookedwood 1-10. In the 42nd minute, Adam Bate pounced again. He intercepted the ball from Ben Murphy to power the ball to the net for his second goal.

The following period of the game became a little disjointed with a few substitutions for both teams. In the 47th minute, Barry O’Mara landed the equalising score for the Wood scored from a placed ball.

Castlepollard looked to be in real trouble. The introduction of the industrious Matthew O’Reilly seemed to settle them, as he immediately got to work hooking and hassling his opponents. Dylan O’Leary and Anthony McGivney exchanged scores in the 50th and 51st minutes. Crookedwood would only register one more score, a 57th minute free from Barry O’Mara. Prior to this, Castlepollard had regained the lead with three pointed frees from Allan Devine (two) and Darragh Tierney.

Castlepollard finished strongly. In between two more Tierney pointed frees, substitute Brian Gilchrist announced his arrival onto the field with a quickfire 1-1 from play in injury time. On the final whistle, Castlepollard were victorious by a seven-point margin, and have guaranteed themselves a place in the knockout stages.

Scorers - Castlepollard: Darragh Tierney 0-9 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65 award), Andrew Dermody 0-6, Allan Devine 0-5 (0-3 frees), Brian Gilchrist 1-1, Cody Ward 0-1, Shane Fagan 0-1 & Dylan O’Leary 0-1. Crookedwood: Barry O’Mara 0-8 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65 award), Adam Bate 2-1, Liam de Clar 0-1, Kevin Orme 0-1, Shane McGovern 0-1 & Anthony McGivney 0-1

Castlepollard: Barry Dowdall, Ben Murphy, Sean Lancaster, Ciaran Fagan, Dylan O’Leary, Darragh O’Reilly, Colm Dermody, Eoin English, Cody Ward, Andrew Dermody, Darragh Tierney, Joe Rabbitt, Allan Devine, Shane Fagan, Kevin Brazil. Subs used: Ciaran English for C Ward (44 mins), Oisin Gaffney for C Dermody (45 min), Matthew O’Reilly for S Fagan (48 min), Brian Gilchrist for K Brazil (60 min)

Crookedwood: Alan O’Mara, Liam de Clar, Feichin Og Brennan, Matthew Ryan, Simon McCarthy; Damien Grifferty, Shane McGovern, Ronan Scally, Sean Brennan, Anthony McGivney, Lorcan O’Mara, Kevin Orme, Michael Davitt, Adam Bate, Barry O’Mara. Subs used: Brian McLoughlin for M Davitt (45 min), Noel Yourell for K Orme (47 min), Ian McGovern for L de Clar (52 min)

Referee: James McGrath (Turin).