Garrycastle may be one of the county's youngest clubs but this hasn't prevented them from becoming the county's most successful club. Here, we look back on a truly memorable first senior championship success for the highly progressive Athlone outfit. Given the club's remarkable success at underage level over the past 15 years, it seemed only a matter of time before Garrycastle would win a senior football championship title. On September 30 last, the green and reds delivered on their enormous potential, perhaps a year or two earlier than expected. Garrycastle's thrilling 1-9 to 0-11 victory over warm favourites Tyrrellspass in what was their first appearance in a senior final was the culmination of a meteoric rise through the ranks of the Westmeath football scene. In just 20 years, Garrycastle have achieved what most other clubs can only dream of. Life began for the Athlone-based outfit in 1981 and within a year, they had captured their first junior championship. Underage success, in the form of the under 12 championship, was achieved for the first time in 1985 and in the years that followed, winning became second nature to Garrycastle's young stars. In 1993, Garrycastle won their second junior championship and four years later, the club secured senior status for the first time by capturing the intermediate championship at the expense of Ballinagore. In 2000, Garrycastle reached the senior championship semi-final but a lack of big-match experience cost them victory against Mullingar Shamrocks. Last season, however, a cuter and more experienced Garrycastle side proved that they had come of age and not even the might of Tyrrellspass could halt their momentum in the final. Even though they had lost to Athlone and St. Loman's in the early stages of the championship, there could be little doubt that Garrycastle were the county's top senior club in 2001. Not only did they capture the Flanagan Cup, they also won the All-County League Division One title in a canter - a rare double to say the least. Under the management of Gowna man Martin McCabe and his co-selectors Michael Gantley, Jack Veale and Gary Sammon, Garrycastle kicked off their championship campaign with a 4-16 to 1-5 victory over Ballynacargy at Rochfortbridge. Tubberclair was the setting for their next outing on June 24, a local derby clash with Athlone. Athlone emerged victorious by 0-12 to 0-10 and when an understrength Garrycastle lost their next game to St. Loman's by 0-11 to 1-4, it seemed that elimination from the championship was a real possibility. But a 0-8 to 0-6 victory over south county rivals Castledaly put them back on track and their place in the quarter-finals was secured following a 2-15 to 2-7 win over struggling St. Mary's. Reigning champions Mullingar Shamrocks were Garrycastle's quarter-final opponents at Castletown-Geoghegan. Shamrocks were slight favourites but Garrycastle - anxious to make amends for their semi-final defeat the previous year - took an early grip and eventually ran out surprisingly comfortable 1-10 to 0-4 winners. With Des Dolan proving unerring from frees, the green and reds were 0-5 to 0-1 in front after 17 minutes. Alan Daly added a goal to leave Garrycastle 1-6 to 0-3 at the interval. Garrycastle maintained their dominance in the second half with Dolan punishing Shamrocks for every foul they committed inside the 45 metre line. In the semi-final, Garrycastle renewed acquaintances with St. Loman's. The Mullingar side settled quickly and had three points on the board before Garrycastle suddenly burst into life. Donal Ryan scored a goal and by half-time, Martin McCabe's charges had built up a 1-6 to 0-3 lead. But St. Loman's battled back in the second half with goals from Enda Matthews and Kenny Lyons edging them in front. In the end, Garrycastle needed a late point from David O'Shaughnessy to force a replay (final score: 1-8 to 2-5). The teams returned to Cusack Park two weeks later with another close encounter anticipated. Only a point separated the sides at the interval but Garrycastle tagged on a string of points in the second half to effectively end the game as a contest. In the closing stages, Des Dolan scored a spectacular goal from long range to put the seal on a mightily impressive 1-17 to 1-6 victory. With Tyrrellspass recording an equally impressive win over Athlone in the other semi-final replay, the scene was set for a terrific final. Tyrrellspass, who were appearing in their third decider on the trot, were installed as favourites but from an early stage, it became apparent that Garrycastle were the team who craved for victory the most. With the Dolan brothers, Des and Gary, in excellent form, the green and reds led by 0-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Further points from Des Dolan and Donal Ryan stretched Garrycastle's advantage to three but Tyrrellspass rallied late in the half to assure themselves of parity at the half-way stage. The game's most decisive score arrived three minutes after the restart. Donal Ryan and Gary Dolan combined for Alan Daly to palm the ball into an empty Tyrrellspass net. That goal really put it up to the favourites and they replied with two quick frees from John Corcoran and Martin Flanagan. Points from Des Dolan and Donal Ryan enabled Garrycastle to keep their noses in front but Tyrrellspass kept plugging away and were just two points adrift with five minutes of normal time remaining. A brilliant score from Des Dolan restored Garrycastle's three-point cushion but in injury-time, Flanagan and Corcoran pulled back points for Tyrrellspass to leave just one in it. At this stage, the tension had become almost unbearable for Garrycastle supporters. Over six minutes of added time had elapsed when referee Michael Gordon eventually brought proceedings to a halt and Garrycastle were champions on a 1-9 to 0-11 scoreline. There were joyous scenes afterwards as the Garrycastle faithful celebrated the club's finest hour. David O'Shaughnessy, who had captained Garrycastle to their first minor title in 1996, had the honour of accepting the Flanagan Cup from county board chairman Seamus Whelan. Garrycastle's determination in the final was admirable and not even a wide count of 14 could knock them off their stride. Cathal Mullin was solid in goals while in front of him, John O'Shaughnessy, Karl Henson, Justin McAteer and Seanie O'Donoghue were superb. David O'Shaughnessy was the best midfielder on show while up front, Donal Ryan, Gary Dolan, Alan Daly and top scorer Des Dolan were a constant threat to the Tyrrellspass defence. A delighted Garrycastle chairman Roddy Hogan - whose late father Dan was one of the founder members of the club - summed up the success when saying: "It is the proudest day in our short history. The county final was a great occasion to produce your best display of the year. Great credit is due to the management and players for getting it tactically right on the day. "It gives a great boost to the general area of Garrycastle and to the people who are doing trojan work with underage players as we speak." The history-making Garrycastle team was: Cathal Mullin; Karl Henson, John O'Shaughnessy, Doran Harte; Seanie O'Donoghue, Justin McAteer, Enda Mulvihill; James Duignan, David O'Shaughnessy; Donal Ryan (0-2), Ciaran Ryan, Gary Dolan (0-2); Noel Galvin, Alan Daly (1-0), Des Dolan (0-5). Subs used: Paul Dillon, Paddy Redmond and Rowan Mulvihill. 'Castle add league title Garrycastle added the All-County League Division 1 title to the senior championship when they defeated Castledaly by 4-9 to 0-7 in their penultimate round game last October. The victory meant that Garrycastle couldn't be caught after they had recorded eight wins in as many games. Consequently, their final game against St. Loman's was of academic importance. Coming just a week after their county final triumph over Tyrrellspass, the Castledaly game represented a big test for Garrycastle. Castledaly had done little or no training since making their championship exit in August but the big question was whether Garrycastle's fitness advantage would be offset by the affects of their week-long celebrations. Followers of the newly-crowned county champions needn't have worried, though. After Castledaly had sportingly applauded them onto the pitch, Garrycastle got down to business and were 0-6 to 0-3 in front at the interval. Within seconds of the restart, Alan Daly scored the opening goal and the green and reds never looked back thereafter. Substitute Rowan Mulvihill added a second before Daly ended the game as a contest with two further goals. So comfortable was Garrycastle's victory that they were able to make the maximum five substitutions before the end. Garrycastle's league triumph was a wonderful achievement, especially when one considers that they played most of their games without their county players. Against Castledaly, they were minus the services of Cathal Mullin, Ciaran Ryan and James Duignan but still had sufficient strength in depth to win convincingly. The team which clinched the league title against Castledaly was: Fergal Nee; John O'Shaughnessy, Karl Henson, Michael Mulvihill; Doran Harte, Justin McAteer, Enda Mulvihill (0-1); David O'Shaughnessy, Seanie O'Donoghue; Paul Dillon (0-1), Noel Galvin (0-1), Donal Ryan; Alan Daly (3-2), Gary Dolan (0-2), Dessie Dolan (0-2). Subs: Rowan Mulvihill (1-0), Tom McHugh, Colman Gantley, Niall Ward, Richie Murray. Under 21s complete unique treble Garrycastle captured their third major prize of 2001 when they defeated Clann Braonain in the delayed under 21 football championship final at Hogan Park, Moate on April 7 last. A 2-8 to 1-5 victory over the Milltownpass/Tyrrellspass/St. Mary's amalgamation earned Garrycastle their second under 21 title in three years. The team was backboned by members of the senior side that claimed the Flanagan Cup last September. Garrycastle began their campaign in December when they defeated 2000 finalists Inny Gaels by 1-13 to 1-6. That win qualified them for a semi-final joust with old rivals St. Loman's at Tyrrellspass in mid-January. St. Loman's were much the better side in the first half with a Martin McNally goal giving them a commanding 1-9 to 0-5 lead at the interval. But Garrycastle were a team transformed on the restart with four great points from Gary Dolan bringing them back into contention. With Seanie O'Donoghue and Adrian Hanley controlling midfield, and Doran Harte excellent in the half back line, the green and reds had restored parity by the 50th minute. The game seemed destined for a replay until substitute Jonathan Sweeney landed a wonderful point to give Garrycastle a dramatic 0-14 to 1-10 victory. After two postponements due to bad weather, the final eventually took place on a glorious spring's day at Moate. Garrycastle trailed at the break but just as they had done against St. Loman's, they produced an outstanding second half display to emerge as deserving winners. The sides shared six points between them in the opening 20 minutes but then an Austin Bradley goal - direct from a free - put Clann Braonain in the driving seat. Gary Dolan pulled back a point for Garrycastle but at half-time, they trailed by 0-4 to 1-3. Having kicked a plethora of wides in the first half, Garrycastle found their scoring boots in the second moiety. They had levelled proceedings before Padraig Cosgrove edged them in front after 36 minutes. Then came a real blow to Clann Braonain's chances when Dolan goaled for 'Castle. Robert Shine quickly followed up with a point and suddenly the green and reds were five clear. Clann Braonain slotted over two unanswered frees to stay in touch but their hopes were eventually dashed when Dolan scored his second goal following good work by Seanie O'Donoghue and Paul Dillon. Afterwards, Garrycastle captain James Duignan received the under 21 championship trophy from Denis Coyne, chairman of the Football Board. The Garrycastle team was: Paddy Golden; Padraig Rattigan, John O'Shaughnessy, John Murphy; Doran Harte, Justin McAteer, Tom McHugh; Seanie O'Donoghue, James Duignan (0-2); Rory McGowan, Paul Dillon (0-2), Stephen Maguire; Padraig Cosgrove (0-1), Gary Dolan (2-2), Robert Shine (0-1). Subs used: Colman Gantley and Anthony Duignan. Tweet

Most Read Stories