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Westmeath SFC Final: Garrycastle stage dramatic comeback

Michael Monaghan's Garrycastle staged a dramatic second half comeback against St Loman's.

Michael Monaghan's Garrycastle staged a dramatic second half comeback against St Loman's.

Westmeath Senior Football Championship Final

GARRYCASTLE 2-13 ST LOMAN'S 3-6

By Conor McKenna at TEG Cusack Park

Garrycastle were crowned Westmeath Senior Football Champions, following a four point victory over St. Lomans, in a thrilling encounter.

Garrycastle were eight points down at half time, but their second half performance was majestic.

St. Loman’s had a dream start to the game, scoring three goals inside the first 20 minutes and even in the early stages, this game looked like a forgone conclusion.

St. Loman’s lost out to Moorefield in similar circumstances in the 2017 Leinster final so they will be bitterly disappointed with the manner of this defeat.

Sam McCartan opened the scoring, before an Alex Gardiner effort levelled proceedings.

Ken Casey then got the games first goal in the eighth minute, after Paul Whelehan’s initial effort was saved by the Garrycastle goalkeeper, but Casey made no mistake with the rebound.

Gardiner responded with a point for Garrycastle, but Loman’s had their second goal moments later, when John Heslin converted a penalty, after Sean Flanagan was fouled.

A point from Ken Casey gave Loman’s a six-point lead, before a James Dolan’s effort settled Garrycastle.

Luke Dempsey’s side had their third goal in the 19th minute, with John Heslin finishing to the net after being set up by Casey.

Alex Gardiner missed a penalty shortly after Heslin’s goal and it looked a long way back for Garrycastle at this juncture.

It was tit for tat up until the interval, as St. Loman’s held a 3-4 to 0-5 lead at the break but the second half was a different ball game.

Garrycastle made a superb start to the second half, scoring the first four points of the second half and they were awarded a penalty with 39 minutes played, after James Sheerin was fouled by Sean Kelly.

Gardiner atoned for his earlier miss, by converting the penalty to reduce the deficit to one and momentum was with Garrycastle at this juncture.

A 45th minute free from Conor Cosgrove levelled the game, though a point from TJ Cox restored his sides advantage.

Eoin Monaghan and John Heslin traded scores, before the former got the games key score, when his 54th minute effort beat the goalkeeper, after an excellent pass from James Dolan, at the end of an excellent Garrycastle move.

Two late scores from Conor Cosgrove and Alex Gardiner sealed the victory, as Garrycastle held on for a deserved four-point victory.

Loman’s finished the game with 14 men, as Conradh Reilly was shown a straight red card in stoppage time.

Scorers for Garrycastle: Alex Gardiner 1-4 (1-0 pen), Eoin Monaghan 1-2, Conor Cosgrove 0-4 (3fs), James Dolan 0-1, Michael Monaghan 0-1, Tom O’Halloran 0-1 (f).

Scorers for St. Loman’s: John Heslin 2-2 (1-0 pen, 2f), Ken Casey 1-1, Ronan O’Toole 0-1, TJ Cox 0-1, Sam McCartan 0-1.

GARRYCASTLE: Sean Brennan; Matthew Guiheen, Jack Donoghue, Mark McCallon; James Dolan, John Gaffey, Gary McCallon; Justin Barrett, Doron Harte; Tom O’Halloran, Eoin Monaghan, Michael Monaghan; Jason Nugent, Alex Gardiner, Dessie Dolan.

Subs: James Sheerin for Dessie Dolan (h-t), Conor Cosgrove for Jason Nugent (37), Eoin Mulvihil for Tom O’Halloran (60), Cathal Mannion for Eoin Monaghan (60 + 3)

ST LOMAN'S: Jason Daly; Sean Kelly, Sean Flanagan, Paddy Dowdall; David Whelan, Kelvin Reilly, Paul Whelehan; Fola Ayorinde, Conradh Reilly; Sam McCartan, Ronan O’Toole, David Windsor; Ken Casey, John Heslin, TJ Cox.

Subs: Kevin Regan for Fola Ayorinde (47), Ger Heneghan for Michael Monaghan (53), Conor O’Donoghue for David Whelan (58), Garrett Hickey for Ronan O’Toole (60), James Cox for Ken Casey (60+1).

REFEREE: Damien Maher (Ballynacargy).