Late goals tie up battle of the Castles

Clashes between these South Westmeath strongholds in recent years, have rarely failed to produce rip-roaring fare, and this latest confrontation at a damp and dreary Páirc Chiaráin on Saturday evening last - the second instalment of a double-header programme - was no exception. The dreadful weather which persisted for most of the opening I.F.C. clash, if anything, worsened for the Garrycastle-Castledaly game, but both protagonists hit the Athlone venue surface with a litheness and deftness more appropriate to a shirt-sleeved scenario. Oh, such wishful thinking of summers past!The Shannonsiders received the best possible start to this vital confrontation with barely 90 seconds on the clock, when a Donovan Hermbusche centre found Dessie Dolan, and the Westmeath maestro"s parting shot went over Castledaly goalkeeper, James Kinahan"s, head for a tonic goal. Conversely, a Castledaly fifteen, still minus the services of prolific scorer J.P. Casey with a long-term injury, and on two points following three games, would have found such a body-blow of gargantuan proportions, as another defeat here would deal a mortal blow to them making the cut for qualification. A third-minute pointed free by marksman-par-excellence (as events would transpire) M.J. McLoughlin brought temporary respite, but another brace of Dessie Dolan points (one from a free and either side of Castledaly"s second point from Michael Duffy) left Garrycastle in pole position. Goalie Cathal Mullin intercepted a dangerous hopping ball in a move initiated by the Duffy brothers, Gordon and Niall, in the Castledaly midfield, before M.J. McLoughlin"s point brought the Kilcleagh side within two points of their Shannonside neighbours.Further torture, however, was in store for Castledaly, as a Garrycastle move, initiated by Aidan Browne and continued by his midfield colleague and county star Doran Harte, came to corner-forward Paul Dillon, whose shot totally deceived goalie James Kinahan and nestled in the right corner of the net. Arguably the score of the game would follow (20th minute) when Gary Dolan, placed by James Duignan, sent over a glorious point from the pavilion side, simultaneously opening up a six-point (2-3 to 0-3) lead.The Garrycastle team were now looking in pole position to go on and take complete control of this Division 1 derby, but they reckoned without the sheer tenacity and steely determination of a Castledaly team who would dig deep to such an extent that they would outscore their rivals by 1-5 to 0-2 in the remaining 40 minutes of play.Beginning in the 23rd minute, the Castledaly riposte blossomed. It began from full-back Niall O"Neill, via James Galvin, and onto wing-forward Paul Kelly, fouled in the area by goalie Cathal Mullin - penalty! The spot-kick was beautifully converted by that man again, M.J. McLoughlin, and while Rory McGowan, from a Paul Dillon through ball, pointed to restore a Garrycastle four-point margin, a terrific bout of play from Castledaly - involving James Galvin, substitute Enda Kelly, Paul Kelly and Michael Gavin - brought a point from the No. 5 just on 30 minutes, to give them renewed hope going in for the break - in arrears 1-4 to 2-4 .Fading light brought the switching on of floodlights at Páirc Chiaráin as the pelting rain made papier-mâchè of sodden notebooks - it must be recorded here that all four teams on duty deserve only the highest credit for producing football of such a high order in such awful conditions. Also the referees, linesmen, and umpires who braved the elements.Wing-forward Alan Fitzgerald set the scene for the continued Castledaly recovery with a 32nd minute point, and with emerging hero centre-back Derek Heavin erecting 'No Entry' signs at Castledaly"s fulcrum of resistance, ably and effectively assisted by his wingers-par-excellence Michael Gavin and Stephen Kavanagh, the supply of ball to the potentially lethal inside forward trio of Dessie and Gary Dolan and Paul Dillon, reduced to a trickle. Castledaly"s half-back stranglehold is evidenced by the fact that Garrycastle replaced their entire half-forward trio in that final quarter.A foul on substitute Adrian Kelly, just three minutes on the field of play, punished by M.J. McLoughlin, cut the margin to a single point. Castledaly, in the rain and rapidly fading light of day, were digging deep, very deep, to eke out a result here to improve their precarious points position and to remain in the running, while Garrycastle, especially through the defensive heroics of Karl Henson, John Gaffey and Seanie O"Donoghue, fought with pride and passion to ensure victory. The loss, however, of key frontmen Justin McAteer and Paddy Mulvihill, on the day, was a big blow to them, and with their attack being starved of possession, the Castledaly renaissance continued. Gordon Duffy was narrowly wide following good approach work but M.J. McLoughlin had the sides level in the 54th minute with an excellent pointed free from a difficult angle. The renaissance was complete.A battling Garrycastle, having surrendered their earlier six-point advantage, but, significantly, who were never in arrears in this absorbing tussle, lifted the siege a minute later, when substitute Alan Daly, earlier introduced to the attack forced the foul out on the sideline, brilliantly pointed by Dessie Dolan, to restore their lead. M.J. McLoughlin"s dangerous crossfield ball at the other end was scrambled to safety, but Castledaly would not be outdone. The 59th minute brought their levelling score, and final flag-raiser of the evening, when, appropriately, it was M.J. McLoughlin who initiated the move, continued by Paul Kelly and fellow-winger Alan Fitzgerald, for the latter to bring joy to the hearts of the Castledaly faithful with a smashing equalising point.Both sides had late-late chances to snatch a winner - Gary Dolan was wide for Garrycastle while Gordon Duffy"s 61st minute effort was just off target - but at the denouement, few of the dedicated partisans filing out from Páirc Chiaráin complained that justice wasn"t done on the evening, and indeed a division of the spoils was a fitting result for two fine sporting sides.Garrycastle, with five points, meet neighbours Athlone in their last group game - they are well placed to qualify for the knockout stages, while Castledaly must beat Bunbrosna in their final group match to retain hopes of a quarter-final place.Scorers - Garrycastle: D. Dolan (1-3, 0-2f), P. Dillon (1-0), G. Dolan (0-1), R. McGowan (0-1).Castledaly: M.J. McLoughlin (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3f), A. Fitzgerald (0-2), M. Duffy (0-1), M. Gavin (0-1).Garrycastle: Cathal Mullin, Karl Henson, John Gaffey, Padraig Rattigan, James Dolan, Seanie O"Donoghue, Donovan Hermbusche, Doran Harte, Aidan Browne, Jonathan McGuire, Rory McGowan, James Duignan, Paul Dillon, Gary Dolan, Dessie Dolan (15). Subs: Alan Daly for McGuire (42), Stephen O"Reilly for Duignan (49), Conor Cosgrove for McGowan (60).Castledaly: James Kinahan, Brendan Fitzgerald, Niall O"Neill, Ciarán Henson, Michael Gavin, Derek Heavin, Stephen Kavanagh, Gordon Duffy, Niall Duffy, Alan Fitzgerald, M.J. McLoughlin, Paul Kelly, Michael Duffy, James Galvin, Alan Kelly. Subs: Enda Kelly for A Kelly (23), Adrian Kelly for B Fitzgerald (38).Referee: Barry Kelly (Mullingar Shamrocks).