Athlone 0-10
Garrycastle 1-05
Athlone have advanced to the quarter final of the 2023 Westmeath senior football championship, the team’s defeat of Garrycastle in Tubberclair on Saturday evening ensuring the county’s most successful club remain in contention for Flanagan Cup honours.
An evenly contested fixture over the duration, this was Athlone’s first taste of championship victory over their town rivals in 22 years and one which has now been rewarded with a quarter final contest with Caulry, a game to be played in TEG Cusack Park Mullingar on Saturday evening (throw in, 5.30pm ).
Athlone were hopeful of fellow Section B results going in their favour and as they did, Eoin Jordan’s charges now have an eagerly anticipated challenge to come.
A poor first half showing saw Athlone trailing by four points at half time, 1-3 to 0-2. Athlone didn’t register a score for the first 20 minutes, prior to Eamon Martin raising his team’s opening white flag. He followed that up with another fine effort just on the stroke of half time.
The second half was much better fare from the players in blue and white, outscoring Garrycastle by eight points to two. Garrycastle were first off the mark to increase their lead to five points, but Athlone upped their in game levels and closed the gap with two pointed frees from Noel Mulligan and Cillian Lynn.
Garrycastle were reduced to 14 men on 47 minutes and Athlone intensified the pressure in the game’s closing quarter with three consecutive points from Cillian Lynn (free ), Kieran Colclough and a long range effort from debutant Johnny Martin.
Athlone took the lead for the first time in the 58th minute through Cillian Lynn, a score which was followed by a mark from Conor Rushe to stretch the lead to two points as the clock ticked into the red zone.
Garrycastle then responded with a score of their own, but Kieran Colclough slotted over the insurance point for Athlone to secure the win and a passage into the quarter final.
Athlone - Darren Costello, James Finlass, Noel Mulligan (0-01, free ), Patrick Ryan; Shane Allen, Diarmuid Martin, Kieran Colclough (0-02 ); John Stapleton, Ben Killian; Conor Rushe (0-01, mark ), Donagh Prendergast, Eamon Martin (0-02 ); Cillian Lynn (0-03, 2 frees ), Kian Mitchell, Benny Martin. Subs: Sean Dowd, Matt Scally, Johnny Martin (0-01 ), Owen McNamara.
